The LNK files are shortcut files that are associated with Windows and developed by Microsoft Corporation. LNK is an acronym for LINK. LNK files (also known as shell links) are used as a reference to an original file. It contains basic properties such as; type of file, location, size as well as the program that opens the target file.

LNK file format is created by right-clicking on a file and then selecting "Create Shortcut". In Windows LNK file does not show the ".lnk" file extension instead uses a curled arrow to indicate itself. To open LNK file, just double click on the shortcut file and it acts exactly as its original file.

The LNK file format belongs to System Files category.

The .LNK file extension is a type binary file format.

Microsoft Windows

• Microsoft Corporation

• Application/x-ms-shortcut

• 0x4C (4C 00 00 00) at offset 0 within the file/stream

Windows XP

• \Documents and Settings\UserName\Recent and
• \Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Office\Recent

Windows Vista

• \Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft \Windows\Recent and
• \Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office\Recent

The LNK file can be opened using Microsoft Windows and its Versions.