Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: Windows Vim symlink config file persistent error

Error when using symlinks to configure Windows Vim and Cygwin Vim, with correct solution.

Quick Answer: The issue is caused by the fact that the Windows native Vim uses a different method to resolve symlinks than Cygwin. To fix this, create a new file in the same directory as the symlink, e.g. _vimrc.bak, and set its permissions to read-only for the owner, and set the Windows native Vim to use this file instead of the symlink.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'The system cannot find the file specified' occurs when Windows is unable to locate a file or directory that has been symlinked. This issue affects users who have set up symlinks for their Vim configuration files in Windows.

This problem can be frustrating, especially when it prevents the user from accessing their intended settings and configurations. In this troubleshooting guide, we will walk through the steps necessary to resolve this issue.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that Windows does not support symlinks to files in the same directory as the executable. This limitation causes issues when trying to access configuration files from within a program.
  • Another possible cause could be an incorrect or missing link between the symlink and its target file.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Resolving Symlink Issues with Windows Native Vim

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Change the directory of the target file to a location outside of the executable's directory.
  2. Step 2: To do this, move the actual vimrc file to a different directory, such as C: emp ewlocation. Update both symlinks in Windows and Cygwin to point to the new location.
  3. Step 3: Step 2: Update the symlinks in both Windows Native Vim and Cygwin.
  4. Step 4: In the Windows command prompt, run the following command to update the symlink for _vimrc: mklink C: emp ewlocation\_vimrc. In Cygwin, use the following command: ln -s C: emp ewlocation\_vimrc ~/.vimrc.
  5. Step 5: Step 3: Verify that both symlinks are working correctly.
  6. Step 6: Open a new instance of Windows Native Vim and check if it can find the correct configuration file. Open Cygwin gVim and verify that it is accessing the same file.

Alternative Fix Method for Symlink Issues

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Use an external editor to edit the Windows Native Vim configuration.
  2. Step 2: Open a new instance of Windows Native Vim and navigate to the ~/.vimrc file. Replace or add any problematic settings with alternative configurations that do not rely on symlinks.
  3. Step 3: Step 2: Save the changes to the configuration file.
  4. Step 4: This method may require more manual configuration, but it can provide a workaround for users who are unable to resolve the symlink issue.

💡 Conclusion

In conclusion, resolving the 'The system cannot find the file specified' error in Windows Native Vim requires changing the directory of the target file and updating both symlinks. If this method is not feasible, using an external editor can provide an alternative solution for configuring Vim settings in Windows.

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