Follow shortcut
Jump to where a Windows .lnk shortcut points, instead of launching it.
Windows only. With the cursor on a .lnk shortcut, Follow shortcut takes the
pane to the shortcut's destination instead of launching it:
- Destination is a folder — the pane opens that folder.
- Destination is a file — the pane opens the file's folder and puts the cursor on the file.
Usage
Open the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) on a shortcut and pick Follow
shortcut. The entry is only listed while the cursor is on a local .lnk file
(any case — .LNK counts).
There is no default key binding. To add one, put this in your
Key Bindings (Windows).json:
{ "keys": ["Ctrl+L"], "command": "follow_shortcut" }
| Command name | Palette label | Also found by | Default key |
|---|---|---|---|
follow_shortcut |
Follow shortcut | lnk, shortcut, link target, destination, go to destination, go to target | none |
Enter versus Follow shortcut
| Shortcut points at | Enter |
Follow shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| a folder | opens the folder | opens the folder |
| a file | Windows launches it | opens its folder, cursor on the file |
| nothing reachable | Windows reports the error | alert: destination does not exist |
Notes
- Some shortcuts have no file system destination at all — "advertised" shortcuts
written by installers, and shortcuts to Control Panel items or This PC.
Follow shortcut shows the "does not exist" alert for them;
Enterstill launches them. - The shortcut's arguments and working directory are ignored; only its target matters.
- Symbolic links and junctions are not shortcuts: fman already follows those when you open them.