A way to fool Windows and programs into thinking a file is there?

[Guest kevinmd88]

What I'm trying to do is have a file that points to another file in a different location, but doesn't serve as a shortcut (IE it can't end in .lnk/src, it has to be an actual file). So I want a filename, for example, file.txt (not file.txt.lnk - IE a shortcut I think), that when opened will redirect anything and everything to another location, say on a network. Basically fool Windows and programs into thinking the file is there, and it's completely functional, only whatever you use that file for (such as opening in Notepad) is actually done in the alternate location.

Basically I have a game that loads your gameplay file from a location on your computer, but that means you can only play that gamefile on that computer. You can't change where these files are located. I want to play the same gamefile on any computer on my home network, so that means I'd have to somehow "fool" the game (and other programs I assume) into thinking the file is really there, when it's actually found on a network folder. . .

I hope this makes sense :) Can this be done?

TIA

[EDIT]

Forgot to mention that the gameplay files end in a certain extension, and only that ext. can be opened.

[/EDIT]

[Wrezal]

why cant you copy the files?

[Linkinfamous]

I don't believe it's possible with a file. You can redirect an entire folder, though:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysintern...k/Junction.mspx

And even then, not sure if it'll work over a network share.

Not sure if you can mount a network share to a folder, I think it may have to be a drive letter.

[cpu121]

Perhaps Microsoft SyncToy is what you're looking for? Use it to copy the game files to each computer and keep them synced so you can pick up where you left off.

[dragon2611]

Can windows do anything similar to Unix symlinks?

[metalguy90]

Share the folder that contains the file and point the applications to that folder where the file exists.

I think you are making this more complicated than it needs to be.

[dragon2611]

  metalguy90 said:

Share the folder that contains the file and point the applications to that folder where the file exists.

I think you are making this more complicated than it needs to be.

some games don't let you change the save file location.

[t_r_nelson]

It looks like Windows does support symbolic links, but not as well as *nix. Sysinternals has a program called Junction that may work for you. Take a look at this article:

http://shell-shocked.org/article.php?id=284

[metalguy90]

  dragon2611 said:

some games don't let you change the save file location.

what about editing an ini file?

alternatively

create a share folder

map the drive to that shared folder

install the game on the mapped drive.

[Angel Blue01]

  dragon2611 said:

Can windows do anything similar to Unix symlinks?

Yes, but true symbolic links only in Vista.

[Evolution]

Well you could create a symlink... I think junctions are limited to the same partition or drive.

So you're best bet is probably a hardlink, but I don't know the restrictions of that.

There is an alternative... you could have the PCs sync the game file whenever the game is first opened. i.e. create a batch file that checks to see if its the latest file with all your computers.

Edited March 1, 2007 by Evolution