How do I create a shortcut via command-line in Windows?

Question

I want my .bat script (test.bat) to create a shortcut to itself so that I can copy it to my windows 8 Startup folder.

I have written this line of code to copy the f

Answer 1

I created a VB script and run it either from command line or from a Java process. I also tried to catch errors when creating the shortcut so I can have a better error handling.

Set oWS = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
shortcutLocation = Wscript.Arguments(0)

'error handle shortcut creation
On Error Resume Next
Set oLink = oWS.CreateShortcut(shortcutLocation)
If Err Then WScript.Quit Err.Number

'error handle setting shortcut target
On Error Resume Next
oLink.TargetPath = Wscript.Arguments(1)
If Err Then WScript.Quit Err.Number

'error handle setting start in property
On Error Resume Next
oLink.WorkingDirectory = Wscript.Arguments(2)
If Err Then WScript.Quit Err.Number

'error handle saving shortcut
On Error Resume Next
oLink.Save
If Err Then WScript.Quit Err.Number

I run the script with the following commmand:

cscript /b script.vbs shortcutFuturePath targetPath startInProperty

It is possible to have it working even without setting the 'Start in' property in some cases.