LNK File – What is .lnk file and how to open it?
LNK File Extension
Windows Shortcut – file format by Microsoft
LNK (Windows Shortcut) is a file extension for a Microsoft Windows shortcut, a small file that points to the location of a file, folder, or program. It allows quick access to the referenced item without having to navigate to its actual location.
Definition and Purpose:
A LNK file, short for “link,” is a Windows shortcut file created by Microsoft. It represents a reference to another file, folder, or program on a computer or network drive. LNK files serve as an intermediate layer between the user and the target entity, allowing for easy access and management of shortcuts to frequently used items.
Properties and Features:
LNK files contain information about the target location, including the file path, file name, and other attributes. They can also store additional properties such as custom icons, shortcut descriptions, and working directories. When a user double-clicks a LNK file, the system resolves the link and launches the target application or opens the referenced resource. LNK files are commonly used to create shortcuts on the desktop, taskbar, or within folders, providing convenient access to files, programs, and websites without the need to navigate through multiple directories or manually type in file paths.
Creating a Shortcut (.LNK)
Windows shortcuts (.LNK) are small files that point to the location of another file or folder. They provide a convenient way to access frequently used items without having to navigate through the file system. To create a shortcut, right-click on the target file or folder and select “Create Shortcut.” The shortcut will be placed in the same location as the original file.
Opening a .LNK File
LNK files can be opened by double-clicking on them. This will launch the target file or folder, just as if you had navigated to it manually. LNK files can also be opened using the “Open With” menu. This allows you to choose a specific program to open the shortcut. For example, you can choose to open a LNK file pointing to a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Additional Information
LNK files are not actual files but rather pointers to the target file. This means that if you move or delete the target file, the LNK file will no longer work. Additionally, LNK files can become corrupted or broken, which can prevent them from opening. If you encounter problems opening a LNK file, try deleting it and creating a new shortcut.
LNK File Format
A LNK (Windows Shortcut) file is a small binary file format used by Microsoft Windows to create shortcuts to files, folders, or other resources. It contains information about the target location of the shortcut, as well as its icon, description, and other attributes. LNK files are typically created when users drag and drop an item onto the desktop or another folder, or when they create a shortcut using the “Send to” menu.
LNK files are composed of several data structures, including a header, a list of targets, and a series of flags and attributes. The header contains information about the file version, the size of the file, and the number of targets. The list of targets contains one or more entries, each of which specifies the path to a target file or folder. The flags and attributes specify the behavior of the shortcut, such as whether it should be opened in a new window or maximized when clicked.