How do you intend to implement Unix symlink support on Windows? There is symbolic link support on Windows, but it is a restricted feature requiring a GPO application to enable it for the user.

Comment by Stefan Springer (JIRA)

@compnerd: I do not know enough to tell if it is really "necessary" for the SPM to use symbolic links, but at least it should be noted on the [Getting Started|https://swift.org/getting-started/)] page that the user needs "special" privileges to use the SPM on Windows, e.g. with a text like the following:

The Swift Package Manager (SPM) uses symbolic links so you need the SeCreateSymbolicLinkPrivilege privilege to use the SPM on Windows. You could gain this privilege by activating the Developer Mode on Windows (in the Windows settings, search "Developer" to find the according setting). Note that it is possible that the domain policy is overriding the local policy you set.

Comment by Stefan Springer (JIRA)

@compnerd: Turns out SeCreateSymbolicLinkPrivilege is not set in Developer mode, but it "circumvents" ist, cf. [Creating Symbolic Links in Windows 10](https://decoder.cloud/2019/01/04/creating-symbolic-links-in-windows-10/), so a better text could be:

The Swift Package Manager (SPM) uses symbolic links so you need the SeCreateSymbolicLinkPrivilege privilege to use the SPM on Windows. You could instead activate the Developer Mode on Windows (in the Windows settings, search "Developer" to find the according setting). According to [Enable your device for development](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/get-started/enable-your-device-for-development), Microsoft recommends the Developer Mode for software development. Note that it is possible that the domain policy is overriding the local policy you set.

Solved by apple/swift-package-manager#3406