Glossary - H        A B C D E F G H  I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X

Hard link - NTFS gives you the ability to create hard links, which are multiple directory entries referencing a single file body. Creating a hard link causes the system to create an additional directory entry that points to the same file (unlike a shortcut, which is actually an additional file). Files can have multiple hard links, and therefore a single file can appear in multiple directories, with multiple names in each.

A file with more than one hard link can be accessed by any of its directory entries. Each file on an NTFS volume has at least one hard link (connecting a directory entry to the file body). A file is deleted from the file system only after all its hard links (i.e., directory entries) have been deleted.

When a file with more than one directory entry is modified, the file properties (e.g., size, date stamps, etc.) of only the entry actually used for updating the file are updated instantly.

Hard links must be created on the same NTFS volume as the file.

Hidden - A file attribute indicating that the file should not be displayed with a normal DIR command, and should not be made available to programs unless they specifically request access to hidden files. Often combined with the System attribute.

History - See Command History.

History Window - See Command History Window and Directory History.