Links in Windows are annoying

I just created a directory of photos for use with the Windows 7 desktop background slide show feature. It consists of photos which I uploaded to Panoramio or printed. I used links so I didn't end up with multiple copies of photos. Here are a few reasons why links in Windows are annoying:

• To create links, one needs administrative privileges (eg. run command prompt as administrator). This is stupid, especially for symbolic links.
• When deleting a symbolic link from the command prompt or explorer, the link is deleted, as expected. When deleting a photo while it is viewed via a symbolic link, the original photo is deleted and the link remains.
• Hard links work in a more reasonable way. However, when deleting a link, file permissions are changed.