Windows XP comes with an incomplete NTFS junction point that allows you to only create symbolic link to a directory but not for files. When it comes to Windows Vista and 7, the updated NTFS symbolic link works on folders, files and even on remote network path. This feature is especially useful when you want to move a program’s folder to another hard drive without going through the hassle of reinstalling the program so that it points to the new path. If you didn’t know, you cannot just cut and paste the software folder from Program Files to another drive or folder because you may break the software by doing that. Reason is some software remembers the original location where it is installed and refers to that particular location to pull out data or information. So when that location no longer contains the data or information, the software will fail to work properly.
This is when SymMover comes to play by helping you to move the files to the new location and automatically creating a symbolic link to make Windows thinks the folder is located in the same place as before, even though it’s not. Although this can be manually done in Windows Vista and 7 without using SymMover but it simplifies the whole process.
After installing SymMover, by default SymMover will attempt to search for an alternative drive and add it as a default destination folder. You can also manually add the destination folder from the program’s Settings.
To move a folder, click the plus button and the Add window will appear. You can either selected the detected installed programs on your computer, or manually add the folders that you want to move. Finally select the destination folder and click the Add Folder button. You will now see that the program/folder has been added to Folders in Source. To start moving, make sure that it is checked and button with arrow pointing to the right. Click Yes to confirm the action and SymMover will start moving the files and create a symbolic link. Now if you check the source folder, you will notice that there is a shortcut arrow icon being added to the folder. To move the folder back, simply check folders in destination and click the icon with an arrow pointing to the left. At the bottom of the main window, you will see the status of your disks. Gain and loss of disk space is displayed in real-time when you select the different folders you want to move.
As use as SymMover is, it doesn’t work on all cases. First it doesn’t work on Windows XP, only on Vista and 7 and the hard disk partition must be using the NTFS file system. Administrator access is required so that SymMover can move around files on your hard drive. Finally, SymMover doesn’t work on software that runs on system process or service such as an antivirus. Since the process involves in moving files, it is advisable that you first backup any important data that you’re trying to move.
SymMover is free and works only on Windows Vista and 7. The installer file is only 600KB in size and doesn’t contain any traces of adware after manually unpacking it. However be careful when you are about to download because you will be forwarded to CNET’s Download.com where the CNET Installer is enabled for SymMover. Click on the small Direct Download Link instead of big Download Now button.
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