windows - How to create Soft symbolic Link using java.nio.Files

Question

i'm creating symbolic links on Windows using a command like this :

cmd /c mklink /J "${linkName.canonicalPath}" "${targetFolder.canonicalPath}"

From Groovy and using Runtime.getRuntime().exec() method

It's working fine but i want do the same using java.nio.Files.createSymbolicLink() method. But I always obtain the same error message:

java.nio.file.FileSystemException: A required privilege is not held by the client.

The mklink /J command works for the current user and i want avoid elevate privileges

Answer 1

With Windows (W7), you can add a user to the list of who may create symbolic links (without disabling UAC) using security policies.

• Run secpol.msc
• Go to Security Settings|Local Policies|User Rights Assignment|Create symbolic links
• Add your user name.
• Restart your session (logoff+login, no need to restart Windows).