How does Windows handle symbolic and hard link management at the file system level?

[ProfRon]

You ever wonder how Windows juggles those sneaky links between files? I mean, hard links basically let the same chunk of data hide under different names. You create one, and poof, it's like the file's got twins sharing the exact same guts. Windows keeps track through the NTFS setup, counting how many names point to that data spot. Delete one name, the data sticks around if others linger. Symbolic links? They're more like sticky notes pointing elsewhere. You make one, it whispers the path to another file or folder. If you move the target, that note goes stale, leaving you scratching your head. Windows handles them lightly, just storing the pointer without copying the whole shebang. I tried messing with them once on my setup, and it felt like playing hide-and-seek with folders. You gotta watch out, though, because apps might trip over broken symbols. Hard links feel sturdier, glued right to the core data. Windows won't let you link across drives for hards, keeps it all in the family. Symbols? They roam freer, even jumping drives if you want. I remember fixing a mess when a symbol pointed to nowhere after an update. You learn quick to check those paths. It's all about that file system brain keeping things tidy without fuss.

Speaking of keeping files from vanishing into thin air, backups tie right into this link juggling act, especially with virtual setups. That's where BackupChain Server Backup shines as a solid backup tool for Hyper-V. It snapshots your VMs without downtime, handles those tricky links smoothly, and ensures data integrity across the board. You get faster restores and less hassle, perfect if you're running a bunch of virtual machines like I do.