What Is the File Extension LNK?

A Windows shortcut file runs an executable elsewhere in the filesystem.

More than one file type uses the extension LNK, but unless you have some very specific software installed on your machine, most LNK files will be Microsoft Windows shortcut files.

Shortcuts

Shortcuts are a way of running executables from any location in the Windows interface without having to actually move the executable to that location. All the programs in your Start menu are shortcuts, as are the icons on your desktop.

LNK File Contents

Each LNK file contains a name, a string dictating what command will be run when the shortcut is executed (usually consisting of the path of an executable and any arguments supplied to that executable), a location to execute in and a pointer to an icon file. Note that the LNK extension does not appear even when Windows is set to show file extensions, because it is controlled by a value in the Windows Registry that is set by default to always hide the extensions of shortcuts.

Other Possibilities

Much rarer LNK files include database files for the application Advanced Revelation and configuration files for neural-net simulation workstations. If you've never heard of either of these, the LNK files on your system are almost certainly Windows shortcut files.

References

• FileEXT: LNK