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How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows

LNK is a file extension for a shortcut file used by the Microsoft Windows operating system. It usually offers a direct link to an executable or EXE file, without having to navigate to it. Sometimes, a Windows Registry error can end up...
Method 1 of 4:

Running a Registry Fix for Windows

  1. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 1How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 1
    Download the Registry fix for Windows. Usually, .lnk extensions fail to work properly due to a failed Windows Update, missing files or files corrupted by malware. You can download and run .lnk file association fixes to solve this problem.
    1. For Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, download File Association Fixer v2. This tool also supports Windows 7 and both 32-bit and 64-bit. Choose the right .exe file for your computer and proceed ahead.
    2. For Windows 7 and Vista, you can either download the .zip file, or directly download the .lnk File Association Fix.
    3. Download .lnk File Association Fix for Windows XP. The link will automatically download the registry fix to solve the problem.
  2. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 2How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 2
    Run the Registry fix. Once you download the Registry fix, double-click on it. This will automatically run the fix.
    1. If you downloaded the .zip file, you will first have to unzip it. Save its contents to a location on your computer and then click on it.
  3. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 3How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 3
    Download the .lnk file repair tool from Tweaking.com. This is an alternate registry fix tool, which is available free of charge. This tool supports all versions of the Windows operating system.
    1. Double-click the file to open it.
    2. Click the Start button. This will automatically run the tool.
  4. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 4How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 4
    Wait till the process is completed. Wait a while to allow the prompt from the Registry Editor.
  5. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 5How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 5
    Restart your PC. Restarting your computer will save the changes you made to the Registry.
    1. Click on the 'Start' button.
    2. From the 'Shut down' tab, choose the 'Restart' option. This will automatically restart your computer.
Method 2 of 4:

Using the Windows System Restore Feature

  1. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 6How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 6
    Click 'Start'. Windows offers its users a convenient System Restore feature. This feature allows users to revert back to a recent point when their computer was working just fine. This nifty tool will undo any recent changes made to the registry and will uninstall programs that were incorrectly installed; without affecting existing files. Here is how you can Do a System Restore.
  2. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 7How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 7
    Access System Restore. In the search box, type 'System Restore'.
  3. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 8How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 8
    Click on System Restore. This will automatically run the wizard.
  4. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 9How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 9
    Choose a restore point. Select an earlier date to restore your system to. Windows will automatically select the most recent restore point.
    1. If you wish to select a different restore point, tick the 'Show more restore points' box. You will find this at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.
    2. Click Next. A list of available points will be displayed on the screen. Each point will have a description, detailing the changes made in that restore point.
    3. Choose your desired restore point. Click on the restore point to choose it.
    4. The wizard will ask to confirm your choice. Confirm your choice of restore point.
    5. Click 'Finish'. Then click 'Yes' for the wizard to restore your system to an earlier state.
    6. Note that it will take the wizard a while to complete the restore. Wait patiently, till you receive a prompt that the restore was successful.
  5. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 10How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 10
    Test the restore. Reboot Windows and work with it to confirm that the restore was successful.
    1. In case some previously installed programs are still giving trouble, you may have to install them again.
Method 3 of 4:

Scanning Your PC for Malware

  1. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 11How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 11
    Download the latest version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. In some cases, a .lnk file extension problem can be caused by a computer virus. Anti-Malware is one of the most popular anti-malware programs available online. This software can easily detect and remove malicious programs from your computer.
  2. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 12How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 12
    Double-click on the mbam-setup file. This will install the software onto your PC.
  3. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 13How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 13
    Setup the Software. Follow the onscreen prompts to continue with the setup process. Remember not to change any of the default settings.
    1. Once the software has been installed, make sure that you tick both the 'Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware' and 'Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware' checkboxes.
  4. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 14How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 14
    Click Finish. This will finish the installation process.
  5. Do not restart the computer. If you are prompted to reboot your system, do not do so.
  6. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 15How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 15
    Select "Malwarebytes free" to avoid paying for the service. Once Anti-Malware starts, you will be prompted to sign up for a trial period of their paid services.. Click 'free' if you only wish to use the on-demand scanner.
  7. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 16How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 16
    Run the Anti-Malware scan. On the Scanner tab, select 'Perform quick scan'.
  8. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 17How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 17
    Click the 'Scan' button. This will start scanning your computer for malicious files. Once the scan is finished, a message box will appear, indicating the same.
  9. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 18How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 18
    Click OK. This will bring up a list displaying the list of malware infections that the software detected on your computer.
  10. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 19How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 19
    Remove the infections. Check all the boxes to select all the corrupted files. Then click on the 'Remove Selected' button. Anti-Malware will now start removing all the malware.
  11. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 20How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 20
    Restart your PC in Normal mode. Once the scan is done, Anti-Malware will prompt you to restart your computer. Accept this prompt and reboot your PC as usual. This will put your changes into effect.
Method 4 of 4:

Manually Fixing the Registry

  1. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 21How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 21
    Click Start. You can fix the problem either by restoring the registry key from another computer, or by manually replacing it on your own computer. To manually edit your registry, do the following:
    1. Note that Windows 8 does not support the Start Menu feature. Here are tips on restoring the Start button in your Windows 8 PC.
  2. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 22How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 22
    Type 'Regedt32.exe' into the search box. This will bring up a list of files in the search menu.
  3. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 23How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 23
    Click on executable file. This will open the file. Alternatively, right-click the program and then click 'Open'.
  4. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 24How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 24
    Start the Registry Editor. Click Yes to start working with the registry editor.
  5. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 25How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 25
    Go to the subkey, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.lnk. Find the root file first. The .lnk folder will be listed under it.
  6. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 26How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 26
    Edit the existing file. Go to the Edit Menu.
    1. To edit your registry via a different computer, click on the Edit menu.
    2. Locate the .lnk file. Then click Delete. This will remove it.
    3. Save your changes. Click the Registry menu. Hit the Save key to save your changes.
    4. Copy the file onto a disk. Once you are done saving the changes, copy this entire file onto a disk or pen drive.
    5. On your computer, recreate the registry key. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, following the above-mentioned steps on your computer.
  7. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 27How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 27
    Click Add Key.
  8. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 28How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 28
    Name the new key. Now type '.lnk' (without quotation marks) as the key name. Make sure to leave the Class box blank.
  9. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 29How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 29
    Edit the Add Value box. On the Edit menu, click Add Value. Leave the Value Name box blank.
  10. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 30How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 30
    Type 'command' (without quotation marks).
  11. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 31How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 31
    In the Data Type list, click REG_SZ.
  12. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 32How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 32
    In the String Editor box, type 'lnkfile' (without quotation marks).
  13. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 33How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 33
    Click OK.
  14. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 34How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 34
    Type 'ShellNew' (without quotation marks). On the Edit menu, click Add Key. Then type 'ShellNew'.
    1. Make sure to leave the Class box empty.
  15. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 35How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 35
    Click REG_SZ in the Data name box.
  16. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 36How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 36
    Type 'RunDLL32 AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %1' (without quotation marks) as the string value.
  17. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 37How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 37
    Restore the registry. Select the new key. Click Restore from the Registry. Then select the file that you saved on your disk or pen drive.
  18. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 38How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 38
    Restart your computer. Press the 'X' button on your Registry Editor. You will quit the program. Then reboot your computer to put your changes into effect.
  19. How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 39How to Solve the Lnk File Extension Problem in Windows Picture 39
    Test your changes. Test a program menu or shortcut. If it works properly, your changes have been made successfully.
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