How do i restore my .lnk files ?

Question

Recently i accidently opened a .lnk file with windows media player and i didn't realise it had open all file types with this program checked and then it made every single .lnk file on my laptop try to open with windows media player so everything on my desktop and start menu all try to open with windows media player i try to create new shortcuts for everything but it still does it. i dont know what to do. It gets annoying having to go to the folder in program files to open anything all the time.
I tryed to uninstal windows media player but it left me with just blank lnk files anytime you open anything it asks you what program you want to use.

Answer 1

The LNK file type is primarily associated with 'Windows' by Microsoft Corporation. A shortcut file is a pointer to an .EXE file somewhere on your system. When you click on the shortcut it's like clicking on the .EXE file and the associated program should start and run. Sometimes .LNK files will stop working. This can be because the underlying .EXE association has been broken by something (often by some form of anti-malware program improperly changing the registry) or the association in the registry can be come corrupted. The other problem generally asserts itself when all shortcuts seem to open the same program. You may be able to fix this by opening the registry editor and looking in the key entry [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk] where you might see @="lnk_auto_file". If you see that, change the value to @="lnkfile" and all should work again after a system restart. Note: This file type can become infected and should be carefully scanned if someone sends you a file with this extension.



Is what I found on a website. I would try to find the program files, locate the .exe file and rightclick and send to desktop to create a new shortcut. If the .exe files doesn't open then it's easiest to reinstall the program it went to.





To change what a program opens with: right click file (not shortcut) select properties and then opens with click change and select the correct program.

Answer 2

Restore Lnk

Answer 3

.lnk files are shortcuts. ALL shortcuts are .lnk files.