Allowing for creation of junctions (virtual folders)
SHJunction is a free utility to manage NTFS reparse points, allowing for creation of junctions (virtual folders). This tool is currently in alpha stage of development.
A virtual folder is sometimes called a Junction point or (Pseudo) symbolic Link. It is a folder that is actually a link to another folder. For example, a person could Create a virtual folder called C:AFOLDER that is a link to E:ACTUALLYTHISFOLDER. In this way, a virtual folder is an alias for another folder.
What use is this?
There are many uses for virtual folders.
One use is to MOVE a folder such as My Documents to another volume (drive) with more available space without having to change the path of the My Documents folder. To do this one would move the My Documents folder to another volume, then create a new virtual folder where the My Documents folder originally was that links to the folder on the other volume.
Another use is to make a long (deep) path into a short one. For example, a virtual folder C:SMALLPATH that links to C:SOME REALLYLONGPATH.
What if I delete a virtual folder?
One should only remove virtual folders from within SHJunction or a compatible application. Most file managers delete folders recursively, so they will usually delete the real target folder (and/or contained files) along with the virtual folder. you can free download SHJunction 0.22 alpha now.