TC doesn't allow to make shortcut of a directory in its subdirectory

[MVV]

When I try to create a shortcut file for a directory in its subdirectory, I see error message "You cannot make shortcut of a directory to its own subdirectory".
It is wrong, shortcut file may be placed everywhere, it is just a file with specific contents.

[white]

Confirmed.

[petermad]

Confirmed

I guess the problem arises because TC uses the same dialog for making a link as i does for moving folders - and you cannot move a folder to its oven subfolder.

[ghisler(Author)]

While it's technically possible, it's currently blocked to avoid infinite loop situations in some programs which automatically follow links. I don't remember which program this was, but I prefer to leave it as it is, sorry.

[JOUBE]

While it's technically possible, it's currently blocked to avoid infinite loop situations in some programs which automatically follow links. I don't remember which program this was, but I prefer to leave it as it is, sorry.

That's okay in this way, especially since it's easy to create such a lnk file somewhere else and then move it to the desired location... So, move it to forum "will not be changed".

[white]

I don't like the error message:

You cannot copy/move/make shortcut of - a directory
[here: <folder>]
to its own subdirectory
[<folder>]

It makes more sense to me when writing it like this:

You cannot copy/move/-make shortcut of- the directory
[<folder>]
to its own subdirectory
[<folder>]

[AntonyD]

I don't understand something. The Total itself does not allow me to make this link, but at the same time, if I just copy the finished link file to where the Total does not allow me to do this, then everything will still work. So what's the point of this disallowing? If no one remembers any outdated programs that once didn't work there, then why should Total follow these restrictions now? If they are incorrect in nature?

[ghisler(Author)]

So you would prefer if I would block even the copying or moving of lnk files? I don't think that this is a good idea either, if people absolutely need these links they should be able to use the workaround.

[gdpr deleted 6]

So you would prefer if I would block even the copying or moving of lnk files? I don't think that this is a good idea either, if people absolutely need these links they should be able to use the workaround.

What... how... uh... what??? How did you manage to read AntonyD's comment in this way?
No, that's not what AntonyD expressed at all. And no, it's not what he would prefer either. It's rather clear that AntonyD would prefer not to have this "blockage" which you already said you want to leave as is. Come on, you can't get that much clearer than: "So what's the point of this disallowing?"

[AntonyD]

2elgonzo
Thx! You've got it right!

[JOUBE]

This thread should be moved to the forum "will not be changed" because it doesn't concern a bug. It is a decision by the Tc author to handle it this way. A suggestion can be created about this anyway.

[MaxX]

> This thread should be moved to the forum "will not be changed"

No! That's a real bug. Bug by design. That must be fixed.
There's two reasons:
1. The .lnk file includes not only absolute path, but also has relative path too! And any moved link will get broken relative path inside. So you'll need to Alt+Enter and OK for each of .lnk this way.
2. There's no REAL restriction to make .lnk file in any place you can get write access.

[MVV]

Are anyone of you really aware of any software that may come to an infinite loop just because of a .LNK file? What a stupid piece of software it would?
Windows shortcut file is just a FILE that has no relation to directory enumeration, it is not a directory link in any way, it can't be followed, it should never cause loops while scanning for subdirectories...
Only specifically written code can allow following paths from LNK files during directory enumeration, but it is completely stupid to do so, and I don't know any software that does it.

ghisler(Author),
I don't think that it is good to forbid completely legal and sometimes useful operation just because of a software that you can't even remembered and perhaps no one will ever meet. You know, I can make such shortcut in many other ways, and no way restricts me here, and it is sometimes really useful to have a shortcut to some parent in a deeply placed location. But it is weird that my file manager doesn't allow me to do this. This is really a bug, a known bug, and what's worse that it is by design...

[JOUBE]

...forbid...

...But it is weird that my file manager doesn't allow me to do this....

The Tc will never forbid creating a file and moving it where it is desired. So, not a bug and no need to change anythng at this point.

[Hacker]

MVV,

Are anyone of you really aware of any software that may come to an infinite loop just because of a .LNK file? What a stupid piece of software it would?

Not sure how serious you are

27.02.19 Release Total Commander 9.22 release candidate 1 (32/64)
01.10.18 Fixed: Function to check file system links (junctions, reparse points) for infinite loops didn't handle relative paths created e.g. via "mklink /D MyDirLink ..\MyDir" while in directory "C:\MyDir" (32/64)

07.04.09 Release Total Commander 7.50 Beta 17
03.04.09 Fixed: NTFS file system: Do not follow symlinks which point to themselves or a parent dir of the current dir in "calculate occupied space", copy/move, search, and synchronize dirs (avoids infinite loops)

Roman