Create Symbolic Links
Verified with Windows Security Options 25H2 — updated on July 25, 2026
Security policy
This is a Security Options policy (Windows Settings > Security Settings), applied by the security engine — not an Administrative Template (ADMX). In GPMC/gpedit it is configured under Local Policies > Security Options.
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment Description
This privilege determines if the user can create a symbolic link from the computer he is logged on to. Default: Administrator WARNING: This privilege should only be given to trusted users. Symbolic links can expose security vulnerabilities in applications that aren't designed to handle them. Note This setting can be used in conjunction a symlink filesystem setting that can be manipulated with the command line utility to control the kinds of symlinks that are allowed on the machine. Type 'fsutil behavior set symlinkevaluation /?' at the command line to get more information about fsutil and symbolic links.
Local security policy
SeCreateSymbolicLinkPrivilege This setting has no registry key. It is stored in the local security database (LSA) and is configured through the Group Policy console or secpol.msc.