How to use PowerShell to create a SymbolicLink for an exe with a file path parameter?

Question

I am trying to create a Windows desktop shortcut (SymbolicLink) that runs a PowerShell script. If this were executed from the command line, it would be:

"C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -noexit -file "C:\User\BFT\Test\HelloWorld.ps1"

And the command line does work with this.

I can also create a shortcut by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting New, selecting shortcut, and loading the above command into the dialog. This also works just fine.

When I attempt to create this shortcut in PowerShell using the command:

New-Item -ItemType SymbolicLink -Path "c:\User\BFT\Test" -Name "Test" -Target """C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -noexit -file "C:\User\BFT\Test\HelloWorld.ps1"""

I receive an error saying

New-Item : A parameter cannot be found that matches parameter name 'noexit'.

I have tried several versions involving different quoting, with and without -noexit and -file, etc. None seem to work.

It would appear PowerShell can't deal with both the exe and the file path portion, but this seems like it should be a common use and I would think there is a way. I am probably missing something.

Any help in suggesting solutions would be greatly appreciated.

mklement0 · Accepted Answer · 2019-10-15 02:43:11Z

2

Shortcut files (.lnk files) aren't the same as symbolic links - see this answer for background information.

New-Item doesn't support creating shortcut files, only symbolic links,

To create shortcut files programmatically, you must use the WScript.Shell COM component, as shown in this answer.

edited Oct 15, 2019 at 2:43

answered Oct 15, 2019 at 2:35

mklement0

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