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File Extension

LNK File Format

Shortcut file (Microsoft Windows 9.x)

LNK is a file extension for a shortcut file used by Microsoft Windows to point to an executable file. LNK stands for LiNK. Shortcut files are used as a direct link to an executable file, instead of having to navigate to the executable.. LNK files contain some basic properties, such as the path to the executable file and the “Start-In” directory. LNK files use a curled arrow to indicate they are shortcuts, and the file extension is hidden (even after disabling “Hide Extensions for Known File Types” in Windows Explorer).

 

MIME type: application/x-ms-shortcut

 

Learn more about .LNK files:

Visit the Microsoft Developer Network web page.

See answers to .LNK-related questions at ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

This was last updated in July 2010
By Margaret Rouse
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lnk is attached to several my file names. I cannot open such files with photoviewer. I think they are connected with executable links in some way because several of my desktop ikons have also become some type of (windows) generic icon. I think I may have created these in some way.spirit
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I TRIED TO OPEN PINBALL GAME AND I ACCIDENTLY TRIED TO OPEN IT WITH ADOBE AND ALL MY ICONS CHANGED TO ADOBE AND THEN I TRIED TO OPEN IT WITH THE INTERNET AND IT CHANGED ALL MY ICONS AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING OR OPENING
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When I shared a folder in dropbox the mp3 music files were converted to shortcut links that I cannot open
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i am an amateur coder, and i decided to download python and run pip through it. all went well until i attempted to get the file and i had to type "python get-pip.py" into command prompt. it said syntax error and i checked the directory and get-pip.py.lnk was just sitting there in my directory, mocking me, and it's stupid and won't open.
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I recently found 25 of these files in the root directory of my hard drive. They have various dates of creation over a three year period. I have no ideal how or where these files come from.
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I'm trying to download a file but it has this extension. When I download it, it instead creates a .download file extension and when I try to open it, it asks me what program I want to use to run it. What should I do?
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My apps in computer are the same apps. I want to fix them usual. How can I fix them?
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Have my files as Word and PDF in flash memory stick which work in Apple. This time when I tried to open these documents, they were converted into ink file and are not readable any more. How can I change them into old format.
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