Using Folder Shortcuts in Windows 2000

Folder shortcuts are a new feature of the Windows 2000 shell, allowing you to make any folder on the user's machine act as if it were another folder. Unlike traditional shortcuts, Folder shortcuts integrate the target into the shell namespace, allowing you to present a direct hierarchy. 

For example, if you drag and drop an icon for a folder or disk drive to your Start menu, Windows 2000 creates a shortcut that cascades to expose the contents of the target of the shortcut. To create a folder shortcut:

1. Drag and drop a folder or disk drive icon onto your Start menu.

2. Click the Start menu, then point to the folder or drive that you just moved. 

The target of the folder or drive shortcut has been grafted into the shell namespace. This reduces any confusion, because the Up button actually goes back up to the folder that contained the folder shortcut. 

Note: If you open an Explorer window on the Start menu, you will see that the tree view expands through the folder shortcut.