> I would use hardlinks more if they were easier to manage.
>
> Symbolic link are less interesting as they require admin privileges to
> create one.
>
> Junction points can hidden or displayed by ZTree, but:
> - you can't colorize a junction point or search for it
You can colour - I use:-
DATTR-J:magenta
> - you can only create/delete one through an external utility (F9)
> Hardlink count is only displayed with Alt-Info
ZbarFileInfo ZAAP displays details of Hardlinks and Junctions.
> - you can't search/colorize a hardlink
Agreed, but do you really want to. They should be transparent, and there is no risk in deleting a hardlink.
> - you can only create one through an external utility (F9)
Windows XP (and presumably later) has limited inbuilt support in fsutil e.g.
Create hardlink to Current File => Directory in Split Pane (fsutil)
:: Purpose: Create hardlink
:: Author: Ian Binnie
:: ZTW ver: All
:: OS version: XP
IF [%j2]==[] (
echo ZTreeWin must be in Split Mode!
pause
goto :eof )
::if NOT '%%1'=='' goto launch
::call #ZTTemp\ztw_menu.bat %%%%%%%%1 %%%%%%%%2 %%%%%%%%3 %%%%%%%%4 %%%%%%%%5 %%%%%%%%6 %%%%%%%%7 %%%%%%%%8 %%%%%%%%9
goto :eof
::launch
fsutil hardlink create "%2:%j3\%4.%5" "%1"
You could also do this from a macro.
> - you can't copy a hardlink reference (copy rather creates a duplicate
> of the file, and do not recreate a new hardlink, thus undermining the
> whole point of hardlinking)
Most times you would want to copy the file rather than the hardlink.
Backup software copies hardlinks.
> A complete internal support of both hardlink and junction points in
> ZTree would perhaps require a whole new set of coding.
Hardlinks are relatively easy through API CreateHardLink
> I am not sure it
> would be used often or by many, but it would give some terrific edge to
> ZTree to exploits the full potential of NTFS.
I would very much like to have support in Alt+Mirror to copy hardlinks.