The symbolic link cannot be followed because its type is disabled

When accessing a directory on a file server that is a symbolic link on that file server, you will sometimes see the following error:

This is because, by default, remote to remote symbolic links are disabled.

To determine if this setting is the cause, you can query the setting fsutil via an “elevated” command prompt.

C:\Windows\system32>fsutil behavior query SymlinkEvaluation

Local to local symbolic links are enabled.
Local to remote symbolic links are enabled.
Remote to local symbolic links are disabled.
Remote to remote symbolic links are disabled.

To “Fix” this behavior, execute the followin commands in an “elevated” command prompt:

C:\Windows\system32>fsutil behavior set SymlinkEvaluation R2R:1

You can verify that the setting has changed buy querying the settings:

C:\Windows\system32>fsutil behavior query SymlinkEvaluation

Local to local symbolic links are enabled.
Local to remote symbolic links are enabled.
Remote to local symbolic links are disabled.
Remote to remote symbolic links are enabled.