Batch: how to mklink with arguments?

Question

How to create a symlink in windows including arguments using mklink, (and no powershell)?

I want to create on Desktop a link OpenVPN which links to "C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\openvpn-gui.exe", with argument: --connect client.ovpn

So I tried:

1. cd %homepath%\Desktop && mklink "OpenVPN GUI" "C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\openvpn-gui.exe --connect client.ovpn"
   FAILED -> symlink created but unable to point to .exe.

2. cd %homepath%\Desktop && mklink "OpenVPN GUI" ""C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\openvpn-gui.exe" --connect client.ovpn"
   FAILED -> Obviously syntax error.

3. Trying to use escape character ^ and \: cd %homepath%\Desktop && mklink "OpenVPN GUI" "^"C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\openvpn-gui.exe^" --connect client.ovpn"
   FAILED.

4. I tried to set a variable set patharglink="C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\openvpn-gui.exe" --connect client.ovpn, and use it, mklink "OpenVPN GUI" %patharglink%
   FAILED.

Any idea how to solve this?

Answer 1

Here's a complete batch-file, to create the shortcut, not symbolic link, you require.

;@If Not Exist "%UserProfile%\Desktop\OpenVPN.lnk" (
;   "%__AppDir__%rundll32.exe" advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection "%~0",,1)
;@GoTo :EOF
[Version]
Signature="$Windows NT$"
[DefaultInstall]
ProfileItems=AddLnk
[AddLnk]
Name="OpenVPN",8,16
CmdLine=16422,"OpenVPN\bin\openvpn-gui.exe"," --connect client.ovpn"
InfoTip="Connect OpenVPN using client config file"
WorkingDir=0

Just save the above as OVPNLink.cmd and double click it!

Answer 2

I found a way to create a shortcut (not a symbolic link, as others pointed out) with arguments, mainly through this thread.

The Idea is to call a VB script, because there is an easy implementation for shortcuts:

:: make sure the linkpath exists:
if not exist "%linkpath%" md "%linkpath%"

:: create temporary VBScript ...
echo Set objShell=WScript.CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")>%temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs
echo Set objShortcut=objShell.CreateShortcut("%linkpath%\%linkname%.lnk")>>%temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs
echo objShortcut.TargetPath="%progpath%\%progexe%.exe">>%temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs
echo objShortcut.Arguments="%arguments%">>%temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs
echo objShortcut.Description="%description%">>%temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs
echo objShortcut.WorkingDirectory="%progpath%">>%temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs
echo objShortcut.Save>>%temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs

::... run it ...
cscript //nologo %temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs

::... and delete it.
del %temp%\MakeShortCut.vbs

So you will want to set the following variables before running these lines:

• %linkpath% is the path where the shortcut is created
• %linkname% is the name of the shortcut
• %progpath% is the path to your executable
• %progname% is the name of your executable
• %arguments%
• %description%

%temp% is not to be set, it is an environment variable

note: I modified that code a little from the code I am using, as I have a specific use for it in my code, and did not test if I made a typo here. If anyone uses this and it works, please feel free to remove this note