What are reparse points?

A. Much of the new Windows 2000 file systemenhancements are possible thanks to reparse points which basically provide a“hook” into the file system and allow extensions to the storage subsystemwithout the need to proprietary code to be written.

Reparse points are actually special file systemobjects which have a special attribute that activate extra functionality in thestorage subsystem. Any file or folder can have a reparse point meaning a singlepath can trigger multiple portions of extended functionality.