LNK Files – Concept, Features, Uses and Everything You Need to Know

The LNK Files They are present to facilitate access and to be able to find more quickly a file that is saved on our PC. Today we are going to talk to you in detail about how these accesses work, what they are, how to differentiate them and of course, how to create them to get the most out of your work, making it easier for you to use the PC.

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What are LNK files?

LNK files are used as a reference in Windows To access an original file, it saves the following data: type of shortcut destination, the name of the file as well as its location, and the program that allows you to access it.

And also a shortcut key, the latter is optional. It should be noted that for these reasons LNK files are considered shortcut files.

How can I create a LNK file?

It is a very simple procedure to execute, this will not take you much time. Below, I will show you each of the steps to follow to create your shortcut file:

1. Click on the file you want to create your LNK file.
2. Select the “create shortcut” option.
3. Done! With the last step your LNK file should be generated.

How do I differentiate my file from the original to the LNK file?

We will detail the icon of each one to differentiate them at a glance. The icon normally used for LNK files is the same one that represents the destination program, but they have a curved arrow superimposed on them, so you will know that when they have such a characteristic, it is your shortcut file.

Properties of LNK files

The following features can be found in the LNK file itself by right-clicking it and selecting the “Properties” option. These shortcut files are naturally implemented as a small file.

It contains a URL, that is, a uniform resource identifier, and is used as its name that explains and indicates in detail the name or location, and sometimes both. In addition to a GUID, a unique reference number used as a destination identifier.

When you click on the LNK file icon, the program works as if the same action had been performed on the original file icon. If you created a shortcut file for an EXE program file, it can tell you how to run the program.

The LNK file extension acts similarly to the URL, in that it does not display the file name, even if you do not have the option to hide extensions enabled.

Virus in your LNK file?

It is also known as the shortcut virus, this malware It is almost impossible to automatically transmit to these, but unless you already have your PC infected; the file needs to be executed LNK extension to cause any damage to your device.

I mean, this malware It is transmitted through means of storage USB. Although it is not one of the most dangerous viruses that could compromise the functionality of your PC that can exist.

This can cause damage to your system or files, and it can be irreparable if you do not have a backup of them. However, it is possible to recover the files contained in your infected USB drive and also remove this malware from the system.

Do you remember that the LNK file extension does not show the file name? That is the key to knowing exactly and checking if your file is infected with a virus. To detect it, proceed as follows:

1. Right-click on the corrupted shortcut file.
2. Select the “Properties” option.
3. Open the general tab.
4. Check if the file type has the .LNK extension

If so, your file is infected with a virus or malware. So remove the shortcut virus from the USB This is the first step you should take, otherwise you could infect other devices by using it.

You have two options to perform this action, the first is by inserting an antivirus into the USB, however, not all software detects this malware. In that case, I advise you to remove the virus manually:

1. Insert the malware-infected USB media into your device.
2. Open the main menu and select “Devices.” Locate the USB drive you just inserted.
3. Check if the “File Type” shows the .LNK extension
4. Now go to the Windows start search and type CMD.
5. Right click on the CMD option.exe that appears and then select “Open as administrator.”
6. Type the letter of the infected USB drive, for example, “M:”.
7. Write the command «ATTRIB /d /s -r -h -s.» (without the quotes) and press ENTER.
8. Finally, do not open the USB and remove it immediately so that it does not get infected again.

How to disinfect LNK files on your PC?

Likewise, this process is very simple and you can run it yourself manually, from your antivirus that you already have installed.

Step A: Open your antivirus and do a full scan of your files on your PC, this will ensure that all files are in good condition.

Step B: Let it scan normally, this may take a few minutes and the antivirus itself will tell you the actions you can take with them, whether it be blocking them, putting them in quarantine or simply deleting them forever.

Step C: Once the analysis is complete, choose one of the options mentioned above regarding the files to finish the process.

Step D: If you do not notice any changes or improvement in the operation of your computer or it still has the same errors, repeat this again. Otherwise, contact a technician to solve the problem.

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