.LNK File
.lnk is Windows Shortcut
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| File Extension | .lnk |
| Format | N/A |
| Created by | Microsoft Corporation |
| Category | Program executable |
.lnk is Windows Shortcut
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| File Extension | .lnk |
| Format | N/A |
| Created by | Microsoft Corporation |
| Category | Program executable |
What's on this Page
An LNK file is a Windows shortcut that points to another file, folder, or application. It contains information about the object to which it points, including the object's type, location, and filename. When you double-click an LNK file, Windows opens the object to which it points, just as it would if you double-clicked the actual file.
LNK files are typically used to create shortcuts to frequently used files and programs. This can save you time and effort, as you can quickly access the files and programs you need without having to navigate through folders or search for them.To create an LNK file, you can use the following steps:
To open an LNK file, you can double-click on it. Windows will open the object to which the shortcut points.
To delete an LNK file, you can simply delete it like any other file. Windows will remove the shortcut from your system, but it will not delete the original file or folder that the shortcut pointed to.
To change the target of an LNK file, you can right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties". In the Properties dialog box, you can enter the new target path in the "Target" field.
LNK files can be dangerous if they are malicious. Malicious LNK files can contain code that can harm your computer. If you receive an LNK file from an unknown source, it is important to scan it with antivirus software before opening it.
To protect yourself from malicious LNK files, you can follow these tips:
What is the difference between an LNK file and a BAT file?
An LNK file is a Windows shortcut that points to another file, folder, or application. It contains information about the object to which it points, including the object's type, location, and filename. A BAT file, on the other hand, is a batch file that contains a series of commands that are executed when the file is run.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between LNK files and BAT files:
| Feature | LNK file | BAT file |
|---|---|---|
| File extension | .LNK | .BAT |
| Purpose | Creates a shortcut to another file, folder, or application | Contains a series of commands that are executed when the file is run |
| Contents | Contains information about the object to which the shortcut points | Contains a series of commands |
| Execution | When you double-click an LNK file, Windows opens the object to which the shortcut points. When you run a BAT file, Windows executes the commands in the file. |
Yes, you can use an LNK file to open a website. To do this, you would need to specify the website's URL in the target field of the LNK file. For example, to create an LNK file that opens the Google website, you would enter the following in the target field:
"https://www.google.com"
Yes, you can use an LNK file to run a program. To do this, you would need to specify the program's path in the target field of the LNK file. For example, to create an LNK file that runs the Notepad program, you would enter the following in the target field:
"C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe"
Yes, you can use an LNK file to open a folder. To do this, you would need to specify the folder's path in the target field of the LNK file. For example, to create an LNK file that opens the Documents folder, you would enter the following in the target field:
"C:\Users\\Documents"
Yes, you can use an LNK file to create a shortcut to a file on a network drive. To do this, you would need to specify the file's path on the network drive in the target field of the LNK file. For example, to create an LNK file that opens a file named "myfile.txt" on the \myserver\share network drive, you would enter the following in the target field:
"\\myserver\share\myfile.txt"