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Aliases vs. Shortcuts

Overview

Both Mac OS X and Windows XP have a method of creating a file that is a link to an item elsewhere in the file system. OS X calls these links aliases, while XP calls them shortcuts. Each operating system has a different method for creating aliases/shortcuts.

Mac OS X

On OS X, each file in the filesystem has an internal identification number that is used to idenfity it. OS X's aliases link to this ID number directly rather than storing information about the file's name or location; as such, you can move or even rename the items that an alias points to, and the alias will continue functioning correctly. The item will always have the same ID number, so its true name and location in the filesystem are irrelevant to the alias.

You can create an alias to any file or folder on your computer or network. To create an alias in OS X:

  • Control- or right-click a file and select Make Alias
  • Begin dragging an item, then hold down -option. Release the mouse in the location you want to create the alias. Proxy icons (the icon in a window's title bar) can also be dragged this way

To show the item that the alias links to:

  • While the alias is selected, go to File > Show Original in the Finder
  • Control- or right-click on the alias and select Show Original
  • From an alias' Get Info dialog, click the Show Original button
  • Select an alias and type -R (for Reveal)

Windows XP

XP's shortcuts reference the name and path of a file. As such, if you move or rename the original item, shortcuts pointing to it will break. If you try to access a file through a broken shortcut, there will be a delay as XP attempts to relocate the linked item, and it will present a dialog notifying you that it is doing so. If XP cannot fine the linked item, you can manually browse the filesystem and find it yourself. From then on, the shortcut will point to the correct location.

Keyboard shortcuts can be assigned to shortcuts to facilitate locating items.

You can create a shortcut to any file or folder on your computer or network. To create a shortcut in XP:

  • Right-click a file and select Create Shortcut
  • Begin dragging an item, then hold down control-shift. Release the mouse in the location you want to create the shortcut
  • Drag the icon in a window's titlebar and release it where you would like to create the shortcut
  • Drag a file/folder with the right mouse button, then select Create Shortcut from the contextual menu that appears when releasing the mouse button
  • Select File > New > Shortcut in Windows Explorer, or use a contextual menu in an Explorer window to select New > Shortcut

To locate the item that the shortcut links to, right-click the shortcut, then select Properties > Shortcut. The path to the original file is shown in the Target field. Additionally, you can click the Find Target button to reveal the original file in Windows Explorer.

Conclusion

Mac OS X and Windows XP are comparable at creating and otherwise working with aliases/shortcuts. OS X's main benefit over XP is that its use of a file's ID number prevents broken links from ever being created, so there is never a delay as the system "updates" the link for a moved/renamed item.

Mac OS X and Windows XP also support an alternate style of shortcuts known as symbolic links. These are special links that appear as actual files or folders to the filesystem, but access a different item when opened.

While we won't cover the details of symbolic links here, tutorials on creating them exist for both operating systems:

Mac OS X: 9
Windows XP: 8

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