Windows
Linux
File Management
Links
Windows mklink /D equivalent in Linux
Creates a symbolic link to a directory.
Windows
→
mklink /D
Linux equivalents
ln -s target link_name
ln -s target link_name
ln -s target link_name
Overview
What this command does
Creates a symbolic link to a directory.
Migration tip: Check the distro-specific rows before copying; package names and service names can differ even when the tool name is similar.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Create directory symlink
Creates a symbolic link to a directory.
ln -s target link_name
Create directory symlink
ln --help
Show command help when supported
man ln
Open the manual page when installed
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
ln -s target link_name
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows equivalent: mklink /D
ln -s target link_nameReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
ln -s target link_name | Create directory symlink |
ln --help | Show command help when supported |
man ln | Open the manual page when installed |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
The equivalent is shown for Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch. Some rows use a different package manager or helper tool where Linux distributions commonly diverge.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | ln -s target link_name |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | ln -s target link_name |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | ln -s target link_name |
Same command on this distribution. |
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