git bash symbolic links on windows

[bistritapcv]

I did an ln -s file1 file2  in gitbash.

when I did an ls -l file2 it did not have an “s” in it.

When I did “stat” on each file, there were different inodes.

I was wondering whether “ln -s” (symbolic links) do not work on git bash in Windows 7?

[nadiajoyce]

Hi @bistritapcv,

This post was moved to a different board that fits your topic of discussion a bit better. This means you’ll get better engagement on your post, and it keeps our Community organized so users can more easily find information.

As you’ll notice, your Topic is now in the How to use Git and GitHub board. No action is needed on your part; you can continue the conversation as normal here.

Let me know if you have any other questions or if I can help with anything else.

Cheers!

[bistritapcv]

Unfortunately, no one has answered.

[primetheus]

Symbolic links on Git Bash for Windows needs to be enabled when you install it

1LKsG.png747×621 106 KB

[gani247]

how to get it enabled after its installed

[Zhen-hui]

I would just reinstall gitbash, quick and easy!

[CapinWinky]

You can set this in the config file for git for windows. By default, this is located at C:\ProgramData\Git\config.  

Find the [core] section and add symlinks = true to turn it on. 

[GabrielChavesBorges]

In my PC the path was "C:\Program Files\Git\etc" and the file name was "gitconfig".

[michael-ansolis]

On my PC, the path was C:\ProgramData\Git\config
The parameter in question was "symlinks" in the [core] section.

[vpArth]

Hm, I have symlinks=true, but ln -s largeFolder shortcut just starts to make full copy… 

$ cat /c/ProgramData/Git/config
[core]
symlinks = true
$ echo Orig > 1

$ ln -s 1 2

$ cat 2

Orig

$ echo Modified > 2

$ head 1 2

==> 1 <==

Orig

==> 2 <==

Modified

[s-weigand]

This answer worked for me:
https://stackoverflow.com/a/40914277/3990615

[lost-scripts]

And, in my case at least, more concretely Xavi Montero comment's link there to a related question's own answer 🙂

[jminne]

That did it!

1. run as admin

2. export MSYS=winsymlinks:nativestrict

[cglacet]

What do you run as admin?

[yoderj]

See my answer:

That is, run Git Bash as admin, run the command export MSYS=winsymlinks:nativestrict, then run ln -s oldFile newLink to your hearts content within that session.

Though jverne notes:

If you enable “Developer mode” in the Windows 10 settings you don’t have to run the shell as Admin.

[jverne]

If you enable “Developer mode” in the Windows 10 settings you don’t have to run the shell as Admin.

[yoderj]

That is, run Git Bash as admin, run the command export MSYS=winsymlinks:nativestrict, then run ln -s oldFile newLink to your hearts content within that session.

[CervEdin]

I can confirm ln symbolic link behavior is determined by the MSYS environment variable, more info the Cygwin docs.

You don’t need to be admin, just configure the User Rights Assignment

[oleksis]

Before clone the repository you can set the config:

git config --global core.symlinks true

[hargobind]

If you add the MSYS variable to your system's environment variables, you won't have to run export MSYS... every time.

See Setting the path and variables in Windows

Variable name = MSYS
Variable value = winsymlinks:nativestrict

Now every time you open your bash shell, the setting will be there.

[levidavidmurray]

Jesus. Took me like 30 minutes to figure out the inconsistencies I was facing was because ln -s created a copy instead of a symlink. Very strange default behaviour.