Henry asks:
I’ve been using a computer for several years now, so I have absolutely no excuse for this mistake. The phone rang and I hit a ok before I checked and I’ve killed Windows 7.
I was trying to get a program to open and I used Open with; I changed the *.lnk to open with the application and forgot to uncheck the Always Open With option. Now I can’t use any of my shortcuts. I know I should have doen a backup as soon as I got my system, but it doesn’t seem to like any of the CD’s I’ve tried to use to backup. I can work on that later, for now I would just like to know if there is any fix for screwing up my *.lnk files?
224 Answers -
Aibek
February 19, 2010No worries, that’s not a biggie and can be easily fixed in a couple of minutes. There are a couple of ways to do it, read both:
Option 1:
- Go to Start -> “Control Panel” -> Click on Porgrams
- Click on “Default Programs”
- Click on “Associate a file type or protocol with a program.” to open the “Set Associations” menu.
- Scroll through the list of extensions to locate the .lnk file extension. The listing will show the description and the current default program associated with it.
- Click on the extension (to select it) and then click on “Change Program.”
- Select the program you would like to open *.lnk file types.
- Click on OK.
Option 2 (If Option1 fails):
Simply download following file, unzip it, and run it. It will make necessary changes to the registry. Restart the computer and it should be fine.
http://www.winhelponline.com/fileasso/lnkfix_vista.zip
Thank you very much! Fixed everything
June 9, 2010Please help! can you tell me which program you clicked on after you clicked change program?
November 19, 2011Josh,
try the second solution. The registry fix will correct the issue automatically. LNK files are not opened by any program, so you can’t really solve it using the first solution.
November 21, 2011Thnx A lot tina…………………….
November 28, 2011Thank you so much. I managed to mess up really badly and what could’ve taken me hours and hours of work to fix it you helped me fix in a few seconds. I cannot express how glad I am.
December 30, 2011Thanks Tina – you saved me a lot of time & anxiety!
Bob Emery
What makes the .LNK file extensions appear? Is it a virus or a fault in Windows 7? How do I avoid it in the future?
January 26, 2012Dear Bob, i know this should be related to Tina, but lnk is not a virus. however, it may annoy you very much, specially when it is applied on many programs suddenly. it is often occurred when you use the “Open With” choice or “Open With + arrow ” when choosing default programs to run an application when there are several softwares associated to it, like kinds of PDFs, or MediaPlayers. for one application, it is tolerable but if you remove some kernel files of windows in its roaming &/ recent folders (Kbytes in size, like some fundamental shortcuts), it shows its ugly face. ..
February 12, 2012Jacob
hello
February 11, 2012my all programs cant run
like this google chrome.lnk
mozilla.lnk and other programs
i had the same prob
March 28, 2012try the second option by aibek
ThanX, A LOT. TanX ALL for the 2nd Solution.
February 12, 2012very very thanks
March 20, 2012i have used the link but the download is not opening…. what should i do??? plz tell me..
April 7, 2012Hi Tina,
April 9, 2012I just have the same problem yestereday. Since all my files became the same single one, and can not get on internet, so I can not have the second option, please help, thank you.
Well, use the computer you used to write this message to download the file to a USB thumb drive and hopefully you will be able to access that on your other computer. Good luck!
April 9, 2012thank you very much! after solution number 2 everything looks much better – although we got the message the fixing file could not be imported, some of the keys are used by the system or other processes … do we have to worry??
April 13, 2012thanks ……………. it realy works…
June 23, 2010genius
Thanks, this did work and I have been to many sites even ms site and no help, but this did it thanks a bunch!
December 4, 2011Just had a similar problem. All my .ink turned into an .Lnk . . . turned them into an adobe program executable. .ink was not under the Cntl pnl portion, did your suggested download . . . voila . . . everything back to normal…. Thank you so much.
July 30, 2010you’re welcome!
July 31, 2010merci pour le l’information ça marcher
September 9, 2011hi where r u from dude.
January 30, 2012Your a true hero Aibek…… Why does windows or Microsoft have this info on there home page…. would have saved me 4 days of B.S
February 17, 2012glad to hear it worked for you)
February 18, 2012thanks a ton
March 28, 2012you are awesome
best of luck for the life ahead
thank you very very very …..
April 4, 2012much Aibek…God Bless You and your family…
Hi
April 7, 2012I tried the solution given by you but i s not working
help me what the procedures
February 11, 2012am having the same problem… i tried working with the registry but not working…please help me am not able to open any file neither run them
March 28, 2012Great, this worked for me aswell
Thanks a lot
Regards
August 12, 2010Maurice
The Netherlands
how about window 7? can i use the same steps as described above (include the link given) ?
September 20, 2010The question is about Windows 7. But it should work almost the same in Windows Vista, in case that’s what you meant. Let us know whether it worked for you. Thank you!
September 20, 2010ive tried it bt still no luck
April 13, 2011THANKYOU! Worked perfectly with win7 but the link does say
May 9, 2011http://www.winhelponline.com/fileasso/lnkfix_vista.zip
: so I can’t see why it wouldn’t work with vista? Again, thankyou so much? JINXY
try fixing reg using Ccleaner
October 8, 2011OMG you saved me! I tried the one fro the beginning and it didn’t work and then I saw your’s. Thank you SOOOOOO much!
November 16, 2011i have a simular problem but i was trying to change the application on a game because it wasnt doing anything and then every appliction on my computer changed to windows media player. nothing on the computer works now apart from firefox and programs that dont run off a aplication.
December 6, 2011please help everything is on this computer and ive tried the second solution once
Where you able to fix this? i have this problem with a freind but it opne IE downlaod section instead
January 3, 2012You just saved my ass! Tina, you’re the greatest! Thank you, thank you!
January 11, 2012Debi Davis
Mind Your Own Business Radio
I’ve just used it for 7 but the icons don’t change back. any solutions?
February 10, 2012Yes the link works with windows 7….. It mentions something about vista when you down load it… I think that is what scares window 7 user from going foreword….. But thanks for addressing the question…… This was very helpful It works people!!!!
February 17, 2012yes u can
November 29, 2010yes
May 22, 2011thanks a lot
September 21, 2010Thanks…….
September 26, 2010It helped me a lot…..
thankx man it works
October 11, 2010Thank you very much ! It fixed everything on Windows 7 – x64
November 7, 2010hi,
November 11, 2010i want to delete *.lnk File how can i delete? can you help me
Zaki,
are you sure you don’t want to fix the file association?
Anyways, you are not likely to receive an answer to your question within this thread. If the answers given in this thread are not helpful, I recommend you to submit a new question. Please try to explain why you want to delete your *.Ink files or why you were not able to delete them like any other file.
November 11, 2010Execellent! thanks for your great work.
November 12, 2010I have heard file associations are located in the registry so doing regedit can actually fix them.. Is it really an alternative? cause you know doing something in the registry might make or break it, and microsoft doesn’t recommend such. Certain free programs like http://www.pcperformancetools.com/file-extensions-repair.html says they can automatically fix the associations in the registry, so you don’t have to worry about doing something that may cause permanent damage to your system. If they can, wouldn’t that be more convenient than going through all those ssteps?
November 14, 2010I haven’t tried the program you linked above so can’t give you any
January 27, 2011feedback on it. In regards to editing the registr manually I wouldn’t
worry to much about it because in most cases the steps are pretty
straightforward. You basically, navigate to specific node in the
registry tree and change the default value. Plus it’s very easy to
backup/restore the registry using File-> Import/Export options.
thanks dude
DDDDDDDD
November 27, 2010Wow, Thanks man! i was so shocked when i saw every shortcut turning into an adobe reader icon T_T
December 5, 2010absolute genius
December 20, 2010after 7 hrs of frustration trying to sort out my dad’s laptop option 2 sorted the problem with one click. GENIUS
thanks so so much
you’re welcome!
Next time you have computer issues ask it on MakeUseOf Answers,
December 20, 2010http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
Hey, the same thing happened to me. All files are converted to .lnk and the program that is running all my files is adobe. I have tried both options, but none of them worked. Got stuck and dont know what to do
Can you please help me, if possible?
December 29, 2010I suggest asking this as a new question on MakeUseOf Answers,
http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
Please make sure to mention that the recommendations given among the
answers on this page
(http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/change-fix-file-associations-windows-7/)
didn’t help.
Aibek
December 31, 2010Used the download link for Windows 7 and it worked just like you said. Thank you so much. I really didn’t want to have to explain to my wife how I screwed up every program on our desktop.
January 5, 2011Glad to hear it worked for you!
January 6, 2011amazing.. thanks for the info. it works
January 18, 2011you’re welcome
January 18, 2011windows xp doesnt have the “default programs” option …. HELP! Plus i managed to change everything to open in Win32 and dont know how to change it back!
January 19, 2011I don’t have access to Windows XP anymore so not really able to look
January 19, 2011into it for you. I suggest posting this as a new question on MakeUseOf
Answers. I am sure someone will give you a fix for Windows XP.
thank you very much…..
January 20, 2011I just had the same problem with “everything Lnk” and I downloaded your file and it fixed it. You are my absolute HERO! Thank you sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 28, 2011glad to hear it helped, you’re welcome.
January 28, 2011did option 1 above, and now every program shortcut on my screen (ie: internet explorer, open office etc. etc.) wants to open with microsoft office word. how can I change this back. to their original icons and have the programs open has they normally were?
February 4, 2011did you try option 2?
February 6, 2011Hey Aibek,
I followed your instructions but my folders still won’t open. When I click on the shortcut it opens a firefox window and does not work. Please help, I’m freaking out.
February 11, 2011Hey Abir,
As far as I understood, your folder shortcuts are now being opened by
Firefox?
If that’s the case please ask this as a new question on MakeUseOf
Answers, http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
I am out of ideas at the moment but I am pretty sure someone will
provide you with a working fix to this.
Aibek
February 12, 2011thanks a lot .. it maintained everything….
hope to have a more solutions in future aso!
Good Work..
March 5, 2011Diwaker
thanks a lot……….
March 10, 2011used that download link and now everything is back to normal,,thanks a lot for that,even tech guys cudnt help me with this one,,thanks again
March 15, 2011you’re welcome, glad it worked for you
March 15, 2011wow option2 really works.. i almost cry here thinking and searching for the solution. thank you very much!
April 14, 2011thnx dear…
May 3, 2011Execellent! Thanks a lot!:)
May 4, 2011Great. I had to go to the option 2 but it worked perfectly.
May 6, 2011Merci!!!!!!!
Thanks a butch…
JB
May 17, 2011Genius!! Thank you so much!! have a pleasant day! =D
May 27, 2011Thank you so much, this really works. i am so happy, thanks again. it made my day
May 27, 2011Brilliant! Personal Computers would be worthless without guys like yourself who take the time to help others. Thanks man I’ve spent the last three hours trying to fix this and was about to throw my laptop across my living room.
June 8, 2011I followed your directions for option 1 but the problem is I don’t know what program to use to open .lnk’s. The recommended programs list includes adobe acrobat, windows media center, itunes, bittorrent, and quicktime. However, anyone of these choices and the problem remains just with a different program opening off all my shortcuts. Please help, this is maddening!
June 16, 2011Try option 2!
June 16, 2011As Aibek says, try option 2. The registry fix is safe to use and works for most people, check all the comments here!!!
June 16, 2011Aibek, Tina, you two seriously are saints. Thank you very much, my computer is once again working properly. Should I ever have trouble again, I will seek you out
June 17, 2011you’re welcome
June 17, 2011Feel free to submit your tech question anytime, we’ll be here to help!
June 17, 2011you’r the best made the kids very happy
June 17, 2011every thing does work again
glad to hear that
June 18, 2011Thank You… Thank you… Thank you. I have been working on this all day. I can’t tell you how happy I was when my computer restarted and the icons were correct. I can’t wait to tall my husband that you were able to fix it.
June 18, 2011your option 2 works thank u so much!hugs and kisses..mwuah
June 25, 2011Thanx a ton Aibek
I owe you one !!
June 27, 2011you’re welcome
June 28, 2011Genius spent hours looking for fix now working again..Thankyou
June 27, 2011Hey aibek,
June 29, 2011I can’t find the .zip file, and I dont get option two
May you please help?
Downloading the .zip file works fine for me. And it definitely works. You should try again and apply the registry fix inside the .zip archive.
June 30, 2011here is the link to the option 2 file,
June 30, 2011http://www.winhelponline.com/fileasso/lnkfix_vista.zip
Wow, thx so much man, ive been havin that problem for days now., and i couldn’t find a proper solution… i suspect mine happened when ive installed that imgburn software under my windows 7 OS. even if its not vista, that regfile solved the probleme…youuupiiiiiiiie!
July 3, 2011glad it helped
July 4, 2011Hello. I encountered the same situation. I used window7. On the last part, when I click the change program button, there’s a pop-up window appear stating choose the program you want to open the file. There are recommended programs below and other programs available. I’m confused what to choose for every time I select Internet explorer, all my desktop icons change their pictures to internet explorer. There is also a browse button on the pop up window. So just wanted to know how will I fixed this one and what would be the last step to complete the process and fixed my computer.
Thank you and I’ll be waiting for your immediate response..
Jaynelyn
July 6, 2011Jaynelyn,
actually the first solution doesn’t work because there is no program that opens lnk files. You have to use the second option, i.e. the registry fix. Just download, unpack and run it. It will automatically fix the registry key that is broken on your computer. It’s safe, promised!
July 6, 2011Hi, i dunno why it didn’t help me… Is there any other way out? Don’t wanna format my laptop… Thanks in advance…
July 16, 2011Rajupasa,
did you try the second solution? It’s a registry fix and it works. It’s safe to use!
July 16, 2011yes but what program to open lnk files…firefox.lnk is for firefox.exe safari.lnk is for safari.exe understand?
July 19, 2011The *.lnk files are shortcuts and should be handled by Windows explorer
regardless of what program the shortcut points to. That registry fix I
referred to makes sure that *.lnk files are handled properly.
Aibek
July 19, 2011thanx …. 2 option is worked.
July 20, 2011thanx …. 2 option is worked.
July 20, 2011great…!!..it works man….it totally does….Thnx a lot….i appreciate your help….thnx..
July 21, 2011Option 2 worked for me like I NEVER EXPECTED…. my friend was already ruling my machine off and was opting for system restore… I thought my machine had been grilled by a virus ….but …alas YOU DID ME A BIG FAVOUR!!!!!! Thanks Thanks and Tnaks!!!
July 23, 2011http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/file-asso-fixes-for-windows-7/
July 26, 2011this is for windows 7.
thanks for the link
July 26, 2011thank you amazing! big thanks!
July 26, 2011simply superb frnd…
July 26, 2011Thanks a lot. The desktop files are opening now after running the file
July 28, 2011HOLY SNAP AIBEK!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
:D:D this was my dads NEW laptop and if he found out about what happened I’d be DEAD right now!!! You sure saved my bacon!! Wait who says that anymore???? Hmm… Bacon…
August 2, 2011
August 3, 2011Time for an award!
August 3, 2011Can you help I have a program called winrar and it automatically opens the zip file and has no option to run it.
August 3, 2011Ian,
this sounds like a completely different question. WinRAR is actually supposed to open ZIP files. What do you think it should run? You might want to ask a new question via the respectiev button on MakeUseOf Answers.
August 3, 2011Hello,
August 3, 2011I tried option1 and couldn’t do it. All desktop icons changed to whatever program I pressed. My problem is I have done something that has changed all desktop icons to windows symbol and i can’t open my files/folders as they seem to be DOS mode.
Petina,
just try option 2. The registry fix has worked for dozens of people, as you can see in this thread!
August 3, 2011what about option 2, did you try it?
August 4, 2011Cool bro, good suggestion
August 5, 2011Dude, if i found u now, i would really kiss u..
.
I ws joking, dnt take it seriously… bt seriously, thaks a lot.. Ur help was much appreciated…
August 8, 2011WOW you are sooo great… i thought my laptop has a virus but thank god i found the solution.. thank you soooo much!!!
August 16, 2011you’re welcome
August 17, 2011thanks a lot for ur assistance looking forward for the same cooperation abhay mandhana abhayommandhana@gmail:disqus .com
August 21, 2011Hi Aibek,
The second option works for me i am facing the similar problem in my window 7 .I will be thankful to you if you pls suggest me a gud spyware antivirus so that i can scan my full pc & kill the remaining virus. I am saying this bcoz i am analyzing that my system is working slow than earlier.Waiting for ur reply
Thanks a lot genuis. U r g8t
August 23, 2011For anitivirus you may try any of the antivirus apps we recommend our Best Windows Software page, http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/best-windows-software
Once you have scanned the system try running Soluto to idnetify what’s causing it to be slow http://www.soluto.com/ . We have reviewed Soluto here, http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/soluto-improve-windows-boot-time/
For all possible ways to speedup your computer check out following threads on MakeUseOf Answers:
How can I fix a slow Windows XP computer?http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/fix-slow-windows-xp-computer/How can I speed up my Windows XP system?http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/speed-windows-xp-system/Why is Windows Vista so slow?http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/windows-vista-running-slow/
August 24, 2011I am confused about option 2 I went to the link helponline when it opened I did’nt what to do.our help would be greatly appreciated I’ve been going nuts for the last 2 days . Thanks so much
August 24, 2011but dude i have another problem ,my all files have .ink extension so if i select adobe reader as viewer than all files open in adobe even my IE ,plz suggest me ans. my mail id is rajeshrj01@gmail.com, plz ,i am waiting sir
August 28, 2011Rajeshrj,
try option two, the registry fix! Download it directly clicking this link.
August 28, 2011Aibek is great, the option2 worked incredibly!
September 15, 2011Thanks
Henry Schneider
that was a life saver. have managed to restore the file associations using option 2.
jut discovered this site and looks like i’ll be coming here more often.
September 28, 2011looking forward to see you here in the future
September 28, 2011Thanks Works like a magical
October 7, 2011thanks………….fixed everything.
October 8, 2011Thanks, the download worked great but my shortcuts still have the word symbol on all the programs. Can you tell me how to change the shortcut pics?
October 11, 2011I did the same mistake but all thanks to you my pc is normal again:)))))))))))
October 12, 2011OH MY GOD!!! thank you so much for this…. saved my life… you did… this friend of mine made the same mistake while trying to delete something… thank you… thank you so so so so much!!!
October 13, 2011you’re welcome
October 14, 2011you’re the best ,thank you,
October 21, 2011Question: how can i install microsoft office on my pc online,because i dont have an installer.?is there a specific link you can give me.
Hey there,
Glad the fix worked for you. In regards to your toher questions, please ask this as anew question on MakeUseOf Answers, http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/ I don’t know the answers myself.
Aibek
October 21, 2011Same thing happened in my mobile,i thought it is a virus and i scanned.finally virus was there and removed.When i finally opened my mobile all the files were changed to .lnk files
October 23, 2011Thank you so much
October 27, 2011You have saved my day! – will be wary of ticked boxes again. Phew!!
Ken Anderton
November 1, 2011OK, I assume everyone that says this works is referring to option 2, because option 1 is so much nonsense that it was hard for me to take you seriously. Select the program I would like to open *.lnk file types? As a way to fix a problem?? There is no possible selection you could reach through that method that solve anything. Did you even test the solution you offered yourself?
November 8, 2011Kid,
you are right that option 1 doesn’t work for LNK files.
It does, however, work if the file association of something other than a LNK file was changed to the wrong program, for example EXE pointing to PPT. Since the keywords may also direct people with other file association mishaps to this question, the answer is still relevant.
November 9, 2011thank you very much , option 2 works perfect , i tried so many things to repair the problem , i tough my girlfriend is going to kill me if she that .lnk everywhere, but now is fix it thanks to your advise. thanks a lot.
November 12, 2011I am a German. Used the file on 15th of Nov. 2011. Well done, i am happy
November 15, 2011One of those Genius..man ur really smart..last time ..i reformat the whole system..is this virus or what?
November 15, 2011Daklu,
I don’t think it’s a virus, it’s probably more like a user miss-clicking something.
November 15, 2011Sorry, I don’t understand your question. Could you explain your question in detail.
November 16, 2011I lost all my shortcut icons over a month ago and had forgotten all about them, just browsing the net and came upon this page and (“Henry”) asking the same question i had for weeks. Tried option (1) must have been a dozen or so times-it;s not much use if i have no idea what program to pick. Then i hesitated and finally decided to download option (2) and WA,, LA,,, it worked. Thanks MakeUseOf i can now finally live again,,,I GOT MY ICONS BACK. (MikeJnlv)
November 17, 2011a MILLION THANKS, option 2 was perfect.
JAMES KANE
November 22, 2011thanks man cool it works
November 23, 2011Hi Aibek,
Many thanks mate. The ZIP file worked a treat.
Paul
November 24, 2011glad to hear that)
November 25, 2011Awesome man it worked the 2nd opt was much simpler
Can u suggest me which anti virus is best if i want a free one………..
November 28, 2011Thanks big problem sloved
November 29, 2011THANK YOU SO MUCH…..YOU HELPED OF GOING CRAZY….. I WAS SEARCHING FOR HOURS IN INTERNET TILL I FOUND YOUR POST
December 3, 2011Click Start Menu, and then type regedit in the Start Search and press ENTER.Navigate to the following registry branch:
December 8, 2011HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerFileExts.lnk
Click on the arrow to expand it and delete the sub-key named UserChoice.Exit from Registry Editor.
Reboot
damn you are good!!! i was really frustrated about this. Thankx man
December 20, 2011glad to hear it worked)
December 20, 2011hey!It really worked
December 20, 2011Hi all,
I have a same problem….i need to remove unwanted program for .Dll
file.
I’ve successfully followed these steps: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerFileExts[file
extension]OpenWithList.
Then I checked the
Recommended Program List for .Dll file. But unwanted program was still
there in list. So i thought changes might be reflected after reboot.
But even after reboot it was showing the program in list.
I’ve again confirmed that key is deleted or not…key was removed
properly…do we need to follow some other steps in addition to
aforementioned steps???
I also tried Ccleaner but it doesnt help also.
Any help in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
December 29, 2011Aibek,
Just like magic… I have been trying to change the icons for hours, until I decided to google the problem… and I found your comment/solution.
You are a genius! good luck to you!
Best,
Marianne Abreu
December 30, 2011Dec 30, 2011
you’re welcome Marianne )
December 31, 2011thank you so much, I so how messed up my .lnk files. I was so worried but thanks to your link everything is back to normal
Thank YOU!
December 31, 2011Oh my gosh! my computer had been messed for 5 months and I couldn’t access any of my files or basically anything. Try option 2, worked perfectly. I cannot thank you enough!
January 2, 2012glad to hear it worked)
January 3, 2012Thank you the zip file is working
January 4, 2012It’s really works..Thank you buddy.
January 6, 2012you’re welcome)
January 7, 2012thank you sooooo much…..
January 7, 2012Yeh i tryed both steps it didnt work plz help !
January 12, 2012hmmm, did you try Windows’ system restore option?
January 12, 2012Thank you SOOOOO much. That saved me the biggest waste of time trip to Best Buy.
January 23, 2012thanks to you sir, I had the same problem and it got solved
January 26, 2012thanx dude.. yae just saved me.. lol..
January 29, 2012ma’am could you help me..
February 11, 2012desame problem to me
my all icon change into logo of adobe then the name was change also chrome.lnk,mozilla.lnk, and my other file cant run..because this problem
on my loptop window 7
February 11, 2012Jacob,
did you try the registry fix: http://www.winhelponline.com/fileasso/lnkfix_vista.zip
February 11, 2012Thanks, It works fine. But In fact we have not option 1 as solution I think the only option is option 2.
February 12, 2012THANK YOU! Option 1 didn’t work and I could not access the web on the affected computer so I opened that link on another computer and copied the file to a thumb drive. I saved it to the desktop of the affected computer and fixed it from there. Thank you!
February 19, 2012glad to hear it worked.
February 20, 2012i love you, you saved my computer
February 20, 2012thanks a lot aibek.
February 21, 2012u saved my pc!
thaaaaaaaaaaaaanks really, fixed it in a minute. U r awsome:)
February 25, 2012Thanks for the brilliant suggestion, Aibek
Everything have been fixed 
Now, no LNK file!
March 4, 2012Thank you…
March 13, 2012thank you…..
March 16, 2012thanx alot….it worked…
March 18, 2012once again…am very thankful
it works fine ..!
March 19, 2012thank you
thank u so much sir …….i cant tell u that nw how much happy i m……………………..thanku thanku thanku so much
March 23, 2012hey thank you aibek !!
March 23, 2012hi…. thanks a lot … very2x much… wew … i really thought that i will not be able to fix my problem about this lnk.,… thnx aibek…
March 26, 2012my system desktop files will be created .ink ad .exe files so wht can i do pls tel me friend
April 1, 2012i luv u O.O THANK YOU SO FKINGH MUCH every fourm i wnt to had some windows tech and they were all ‘well heres 5000 steps, step one *some rly complicated stuff*’ this was simple and easy option 2 works like a charm!
April 2, 2012I LOVE YOU!!!!!
April 8, 2012but when i open this file it shows like “application not found”
April 16, 2012dan wat to do????
Kajal,
Did you try option 2, the registry fix?
April 16, 2012what is option2, the registry fix? from where have to download it
April 24, 2012Thank you very much this help me a lot, fixed everything, you are a god send
April 18, 2012The second option works great.
April 19, 2012Thanks a lot !
Anonymous
March 4, 2010Many thanks, Aibek! I had the same problem and microsoft was useless. Your registry program fixed it immediately. You’re a genius!
Joey
Glad it worked!
March 9, 2010tammy
March 12, 2010I need help to fix the INK files on my deswktop. So far Tried a couple things but no lick can someone please help me with this/
Tammy,
please post a new question.
Don’t forget to share all essential information regarding your issue, e.g. what is wrong with the INK files on your desktop, what may have caused the issue, what exactly did you try already, what is your operating system etc.
March 13, 2010Dale Coates
March 19, 2010I have got windows xp, all my files on the pc seem to be lost :s if i click on anything on the desktop and try to open it, the ‘open with’ box pops up, this happens with all things aswel as on control pannel i.e ‘add or remove programmes, on windows start ect… how do i come about this?
Dale
Dale,
please post this as a new question.
March 20, 2010xgerstandtx
April 26, 2010Thanks for the help. Very easy to understand and execute. I need to pay more attention to what I’m check/unchecking. Thanks again.
Ron
May 26, 2010All my files changed to .Ink and could not be open. I was able to get yahoo and outlook to work but all the other applications will not open correctly. What might be causing this?
Hey Ron
Can you please ask this as anew question. The question will get more
exposure this way and you’re likely to receive the solution faster.
Just go to
http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
and click on ‘Ask a question’ button on the right .
Aibek
Aibek
May 26, 2010Madhavnallapaneni
June 11, 2010aibek same prblm and it worked ,thank u very much,bcoz i completely wasted a day to fix this problem…………………gr8
glad it helped!
June 12, 2010Tomtomchunchun
June 11, 2010thx, really worked …..fixed everythings ….genius
Carol
June 16, 2010have the same issue running Windows XP – do you have a link for Windows vs. Vista? thank you!
Carol,
check out this article for a general explanation on how to change file type associations in Windows XP: http://www.ehow.com/how_2052279_change-file-type-associations-windows.html
June 16, 2010Edf3
July 20, 2010This is really worked! Thx man!
Dr Sid
July 24, 2010Actuall this is hardly your falt. It’s design flaw. In XP and older system it is not possible to chnge this association (other way then editing registry).
sourav
July 26, 2010thanks aibek, i am a new member,your fix .ink file related s/w really works, thanks a lot.
you’re welcome
July 27, 2010Severance45
August 4, 2010hey dude had a prob with my files all in lnk.files i tried the first option 1 could,nt get to work but hey presto tried the 2 option worked like a dream all sorted now and thanx to you chears m8 any more prob,s ill be back thanx again aibek
I am glad it worked for you as well.
August 4, 2010version 3.4
August 13, 2010thank you so much
thanks a lot again!
was worried a lot abt my pc, it was brand new..! it’s fixed now, thanks to u!!
Vishu Revuri
August 21, 2010It worked
tnx aibek
awesome
August 22, 2010Jnj7654
August 29, 2010Thanks for the solution for my .lnk problem. I’m a novice and was going crazy because I couldn’t open anything. Is there any explanation for why all extensions would be changed – I don’t recall doing anything!
Louis Botes
September 8, 2010Wow. Fantastic. As soon as I logged in with Teamviewer on my customer machine, I was breaking out sweats wondering how I’m gonna fix this. Thanks to google that made me find this article so quickly. And a fantastic website that made the effort to post this topic
Glad to hear the information on MakeUseOf Answers helped you.
September 8, 2010Meli
September 13, 2010Aibeck, I couldn’t thank you enough for that program. I am not technically savvy at all so when all my files changed I freaked.:)
I am glad you found it helpful. In case you experience any other
September 14, 2010issues don’t hesitate to ask for a fix on MakeUseOf Answers,
http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
Dev Cool1
September 14, 2010Thanks a lot…
I faced problem with .link file system…
But it solved for me…
Your zip file is awsome…
Thanks buddy…
Studentkings
September 17, 2010Thank A lOt…
You are the best…
I love you…
Risa
September 18, 2010Thankyou so much! That worked wonders on my laptop!!!! I am SO relieved!
Boris
September 23, 2010I prefer to use the first option since it’s safer, but you didn’t write what program should be assossoated with .lnk file. Please clarify…
Vetti08
September 29, 2010satisfiedUser++
and btw windows 7 users use http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/file-asso-fixes-for-windows-7/
Dave SG
October 6, 2010Aibek ..thanks a lot..i really thought i screwed up…googled the problem ..and stumbled upon makeuseof.com …..my laptop is saved…and btw for those whose web browsers wont even open due to the messing up of the shortcuts i recommend u right click on internet explorer( or whatever was left of it ) and u will find the inprivate browsing window..use it to download…and it works!!!..im relieved…thanks again aibek
you’re welcome. glad it helped.
October 7, 2010Aibek. I did option one as you said but when it comes down to the option of choosing a program that opens all the lnk files it confuses me. since i somehow managed to make ALL my shortcuts lnk files.
What should i do?
February 14, 2011Babul4uonly
October 8, 2010thanks a lot…
it works well in windows 7
Thepretty1024
October 12, 2010Thank you so so much!!!
S Johnston1
October 12, 2010I understand all the stuff in the Option 1 section, but when I get to
- Click on the extension (to select it) and then click on “Change Program.”
- Select the program you would like to open *.lnk file types.
- Click on OK.
Which program do I select? It’s only giving me the option of opening things in internet explorer which doesn’t help the situation.
Option 2 is a forbidden website apparently too (403 error)
Lesdubose
October 13, 2010I couldn’t find an option to select, so I just used your download and presto! Everything was back to normal. Thank you
Vikas Gupta
October 18, 2010Thanks dear it worked it saved me from formating my system window.
really thanks……
Nitinchaudhary48
November 4, 2010what about window xp sp2… i ve a pen drive all the folders are of a shortcut icon.. and all are .lnk file…give me the solution coz these are my imp.dat.how to change them into original format
Animeshlodha
November 8, 2010thanks a lot really helped. use it without any doubt works for all operating systems..once again thanks a lot
Cdnfbi
November 15, 2010A friend called me in deep desparation to come over and fix her computer “All my icons changed now I can’t run anything. All my icons are changed, my computer is broken”. A quick teamviewer session proved she had changed her LNK association and your ZIP file was the quick fix ….. I took initial credit for being a hero, but then gave makeuseof.com the credit for supplying the answer !!! THANKS <-that's a big thanks
matahari
November 26, 2010THANK YOU !!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! This really worked. God bless.
Glad to hear that MakeUseOf Answers could help! Thank you for taking the time to let us know.
November 26, 2010Fredy
November 27, 2010i have try it on win 7 & it works. thank you.
Sarahmichellewalsh
November 30, 2010Hi, I followed the steps up until “Select the program you would like to open *.lnk file types. “…. how do I know what program I want to use to open them???
Please help
Matthew
December 4, 2010Fixed for me too, thanks!
Gopikrish2000
December 5, 2010Thanks a lottttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt , really helped me by downloading that reg, once again thanks a lot
Shubharaj99
December 6, 2010thanks a lot brother
Mynofa
December 12, 2010I had the same problem, and it’s fixed now. Thanx a lot.
Sargeant
December 17, 2010thanks alot almost cried
Deron
December 19, 2010i need help my laptop keeping opening with the same file and i dont know what to do
Deron,
did you follow the steps outlined above? What happened?
December 19, 2010Hiaces
December 20, 2010I thank you so much you saved my computer and my hinny. Its almost christmas to. Happy Christmas!!
Khepera
December 22, 2010Using Windows 7 and the downloaded file will not open. It asks which program created it an I don’t know what to open. Or I get a pop up asking to run or save and when I choose run the same menu pops up. What am I doing differently than everyone else?
Khepera,
it sounds like in your case, the .exe file extension was changed. We had a similar question before. Maybe the answers given there can help you. Check it out: http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/undo-open-with-selection-exe-files/
Please ask a new question if you are still stuck with the problem. Please describe the symptoms and what may have caused them as good as you can.
Good luck!
December 26, 2010Rahmansharjil
January 23, 2011WOW…………thanks alot,,,,,,i m able to change…..
yelena
February 7, 2011THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH
Krukur
February 8, 2011I actualy found the option 1 before I found option 2 here on this site, however I didnt know what program was supposed to open the .lnk I dont know if any1 else had that problem, but perhaps that would be a nice thing to mention in your glorious fixing post
Thanks for the great fix!
Fredde-swe
February 16, 2011Rox, I went here and this fixed my friends problem (windows 7).. Thank you !!!!!!!!<3
Dameshamason
February 18, 2011yea u can i do it
Dameshamason
February 18, 2011what do people
be so mean
Carolyn
February 19, 2011What program am I supposed to open the .lnk file in?
With no program. Unfortunately, Windows 7 doesn’t offer this option in ‘Set Associations’. Thus it’s best to run the .exe file that fixes the registry.
March 1, 2011Rob321-
February 21, 2011what program do i browse for to open the .lnk files with?
Per default, lnk files are not associated with any program. However, since you cannot remove a file type association, only replace it, I guess the easiest way is to run the .exe file.
March 1, 2011Marian_stoica
February 28, 2011I CANT BILIEVE !!! THE DOWNLOADABLE LINK IT WORK’S ! I just run it and next I restart the computer . (windows 7) it works !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad it worked and thanks for the feedback!
March 1, 2011glad to hera you could make use of it
March 1, 2011Diwaker26069
March 5, 2011thanks a lot
you’re welcome
March 5, 2011M k a
March 6, 2011Omg i was trying to figure how to fix it for the past 4 hours and boom i came here and i just downloaded the fix and i lanched it and restarted and ! it worked like magic
thanks alot
(on windows 7 32bit laptop)
glad it worked for you as well
March 7, 2011Anshul
March 8, 2011Aibek…!!! U R AWESOME…..!!!
Ed
March 10, 2011Aibek,thanks. It worked for me(windows 7).
Kp
March 29, 2011THAAAAAANKS!!!!!!!!! THAT REALLT HELPED!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D
ayebab
April 9, 2011i thought i have to reformat may computer to fix my problem. thanks to you guys!!!
Gc_bamrah
April 14, 2011hey abek thax soooooo lot it really works………..
you’re welcome!
April 14, 2011Louxtreme
April 15, 2011Dear Aibek
I tried to transfer Games folder from one computer (windows 7 office 2007 professional) to another computer running the same systems and software but i keep getting a
CANT OPEN THIS FILE .lnk do you want to use the web or select a installed program.
They are are standard window games eg spider solitaire, why they didnt come installed i dont know, why i cant transfer them i dont know?
I am a novice at this stuff, HELP please what do i do
Louxtreme,
could it be that you didn’t move the games themselves, but only the shortcuts (.lnk files) to the original source?
April 15, 2011Hi there,
You can’t transfer the files this way. there is an alternative way to
add Windows Games to your syste. It’s very easy. Please ask this as anew
question on MakeUseOf Answers, http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/#expand
Your questions should say, How Can I Add Default Windows 7 Games To My
Computer.
Aibek
April 16, 2011Bradmeister11
April 22, 2011It wont even let me get onto the internet to download that, im using another computer. is there a way around this?
Use another computer to download the file, put it on a USB flash drive and run it from there.
April 26, 2011Lion
April 28, 2011Will this fix program restore the .crt association on Windows 7 64 bit? Currently it is pointing to notepad and it want change to anything else.
Lion,
I’m not sure I understand your question. Is a file with .crt file extension pointing to notepad? The tool will only fix the .lnk file association. I think you should ask a new question. Please click the respective button on the top of the page and fill in the question form. Thank you!
April 29, 2011Tasnee
April 30, 2011ONLY IF THERE WERE MORE AWESOME PPL LIKE YOU!! OPTION 2 DID IT FOR ME,,!!!
THANKS A ZILLION
you’re welcome. glad it worked.
May 1, 2011Emmie
May 3, 2011Option 2 worked for me! Thanks a million.
Obr159
May 7, 2011thanks to my superhero: D very highly here within easy for me to beat those two at thepossibility dikyekuji
Muhammad Aizat Bin Sanudin
May 17, 2011I opened the zip file to my desktop like you said and then double clicked the icon but still get the “windows cannot open whatever file with the .reg extension” what would I associate that with?
Same thing happens with the other file.
Thanks
Did you try to run the file as Administrator?
May 18, 2011Ecaterina_c
May 20, 2011Hi! I have a problem I cannot solve… I selected skype to open .Ink files as default, it was a mistake and now everything opens with it even Documents… I don’t know how to fix it. Is any program I can download to fix it or can anybody tells me what can do? Pleeeeeeease! Thank you!
Ecaterina,
did you try the second (registry) fix posted by Aibek?
May 20, 2011Mnsrinivas
May 26, 2011thanks alot my god thank u for tht
Anton Blaberg
June 8, 2011All of my shortcuts are .lnk files so I follow all of ur steps when u went into the big list were I choosed the .lnk place u know I couldn’t choose 1 program because all programs are diffrent so I cant just choose Windows media player for example XD. Is there any programs that opens the shortcut like the regular file does? I just want to reset .lnk to normal shortcut again!
Anton,
you need to run the registry fix that Aibek linked to. There is no program that runs lnk files, but the problem can be fixed by editing registry entries, which the above fix does automatically for you.
June 8, 2011Richard
June 10, 2011Hi Tina,
I was trying to download a file using winzip, it turn all the file on my desktop into a same icon, when it tried to fix the problem by cliking many buttoms, the icons were changed to microsoft word default. at this time i am not able to use many of my files.
Please I am wondering if you could help me.
Richard
Richard,
did you try the registry fix that Aibek linked to in the very first comment within this thread?
June 10, 2011Richard
June 10, 2011Tina,
Yes . I tried the first option
In selection the appropriate program I had only the option of Adobe reader and looking other program on internet m so i tried with Adobe reader. It changed the icon to adobe reader but I still have the same problem.
Please I don’t know if i have to browse to internet to get the appropriate program? Which program I should select in doing so?
And using the link in the second option you mentioned, it did not work for me.
Probably I am not using it properly. I am a novice in computer but willing to learn.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
@YOju4n
June 12, 2011THX!!! it really worked …
i really thx u.. i have this issue at my job’s computer… it was dramatic .. really .. i didnt know wat to do xD…
but now the problem its solved.. thx u again
Darling120
June 14, 2011Hi Tina,
Thank you very much.
I GOT IT
THANX A MILLION
RICHARD
Glad it worked for you, but I cannot take the praise for it. Aibek documented the fix first!
June 14, 2011Norm
June 14, 2011Thank you! The LnkFix download did the job splendidly!
Rgomezeti
June 16, 2011Thank you so much Aibek, option 2 worked perfectly.. After searching for about 5 hours for a solution that works you’ve saved the day. Thanks man.
-Rob
you’re welcome!
June 16, 2011you’re the man….keep it up.thanks a lot….
June 17, 2011Sudiptapjain
June 19, 2011THANK U SO MUCH- VISTA FILE WORKED FINE WITH MY WIN 7… UR A LIFE SAVER…
Jhoevz
June 21, 2011I’ve been searching the web for the same problem and thanks to Aibek for sharing the knowledge..now my unit is fully operational once again..Thank you so much..
Mithun lal
July 1, 2011i am suffering from the same problem …..i am not able to download those ,,,it says its unavailable now ,,,,,
Mithunlal
July 1, 2011ya i downloaded those but still not working ya
Wan5239
July 4, 2011solution no 2 work like a charm….. TQ
Paulntwali2006
July 5, 2011Thank you very much Aibek for your great support on .lnk extension, you really turn the dark day into yellow day. My name is J.Paul (Rwanda -Africa)
you’re welcome
July 5, 2011Shill3
July 8, 2011So I am guessing you have to pay for this program once you have downloaded the link? Right? Any other options?
Rodden Rufaro Chikonzo
July 11, 2011thanks a lot it worked. may the good Lord Jesus Christ bless you with the desires of your heart and perfect all that concerns you.
Phatak Tejas
July 17, 2011Brilliant. This works !
Ajay Daniel
July 20, 2011last month i installed linux ubuntu after few days i removed but the drive in which ubuntu is installes , that drive is not show. so plz help me
Ajay,
this is a different question. I recommend you to post a new question using the respective link in the top left on the Answers page.
July 20, 2011Ajay,
please ask it as a new question on MakeUseOf Answers,
http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
Aibek
July 21, 2011Chrisa
July 22, 2011thanks a lot !!!!!!! You are a jenious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no 2 option it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew
July 23, 2011OMG THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS JUST ABOUT TO USE BY BACKUP DISKS AND THEN I CAME UPON THIS AND IT WAS LIKE HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Asdfasfg
July 26, 2011worked like a charm
Marthaarman
July 27, 2011Thx bro… You really helper me out!
Davidjbrock
August 1, 2011Thanks so much… 2 hours of trying solve my computer-illiterate bro-in-law’s problem over the phone… banging my head on the desk… this solved it in 2 minutes. You’re the best!
Yuval1967
August 1, 2011thanks so much its working great
kibi
August 2, 2011Option two worked best. Thanks man! Your a genius. Thanks for sharing this great stuff for us. Bless You!
Computer_Girl
August 3, 2011Thank you so much… It worked for me.. cheers !
Meena_vora55
August 5, 2011Hi
Thanks for the link posted at top – the 1st did not work for me but the download did. This is after asking the peeps frm my antivirus company who could not help me and it took them a few weeks to realise the problem. Even then, they could still not help me!!
Glad the registry fix worked for you, Meena.
August 6, 2011Maybe you should share the solution with the folks from your antivirus company.
Cenamarine11
August 8, 2011this thing dident fucking work u asshole
nb
August 14, 2011oh my gooooodness thank you SO MUCH!! your a lifesaver!
Rashid Mamadeus
August 15, 2011Worked like a charm (option 2)! A year after your post, still another very positive feedback is added to your account! Probably not the last. Cheers!
Greetings from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
AYRgb
August 17, 2011thank u…solved everything
:D:D:D:D:D:D
very helpful
MBM
August 19, 2011thank you so much, i did exactly the same thing and found all my short cuts useless, option 2 worked for me- simply run & restart
neeraj
August 20, 2011thanks for giving nice
solution ….
Quest 129
August 21, 2011i don’t get it
Quest 129
August 21, 2011i don’t get it
Quest 129
August 21, 2011i don’t work for me
Did you try the registry fix? Download it using this link: http://www.winhelponline.com/fileasso/lnkfix_vista.zip
August 22, 2011Jaslina
August 21, 2011with what program do a open the ink file with
None. You have to use the registry fix. You can download it using this link: http://www.winhelponline.com/fileasso/lnkfix_vista.zip
August 22, 2011MIkee Lao
August 26, 2011thank you so much …. it works….
Juul
August 27, 2011Option 2 workss !
searched all over the internet
and it is so simple.
thanksss!
Thanks for the feedback Juul and glad it worked for you!
August 27, 2011Snadarsh33
September 3, 2011I found an easy solution.It is really very easy
Go to the link below
http://gadgets-priceinindia.blogspot.com/2011/09/files-in-phone-changed-to-shortcut.html
Eline Waarsenburg-Nauta
September 6, 2011Fixed! Thanks!
Rni
September 10, 2011thanks for the info…fixed..
Surya Uppala
September 10, 2011Is there a any fix for *.lnk problem for Windows 2008 operating system?
Kripalsinhzala7
September 11, 2011THANX!!!!
Utahn0707
September 13, 2011Is this link safe to use on a shared work network?
It is safe!
September 14, 2011Tina
September 14, 2011Mish,
you also submitted this as a question and it will be published asap.
Cynthiamacias1
September 15, 2011I Need HElP ASAP for some weird reason my laptop will not let me open any kind of file is there someting i can do to fix it :c.. I tried somee websites but non of help seem to be any help.
As a first step I would suggest trying system restore. If that doesn’t help please submit this as a new question on MakeUseOf Answers, http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
Make suer to include more detailed information about the problem and things you have tried so far to fix it.
Aibek
September 16, 2011Jeremy Atkins
September 17, 2011Wait, so what is .lnk supposed to open with in the first place? Option 1 would only work if you know that critical bit of information.
Ture. Option 1 doesn’t work for lnk files because they are just shortcuts that don’t open one specific program.
September 18, 2011Jeremy Atkins
September 17, 2011Also, the download for Option 2 is for VISTA. Not Windows 7. Could you please post the link to the WINDOWS 7 version of the program?
Apparently, the file name is misleading, because it DOES work for Windows 7 as well as Vista.
September 17, 2011Dan
September 18, 2011Awesome, it worked so cool.
bash
September 19, 2011I am a same problem have changed *.lnk file to microsoft word somehow now i can i bring it to default and what is the default file which i should assocaite *.lnk file to ? Please let me know
Bash,
please use the registry fix described in the second option. This one has worked for dozens of people that have commented before you.
September 20, 2011Switchfoot2093
September 19, 2011it’s actually works! thank you so much!
I thought I need to reformat my PC. *Lol
Ckshea
September 21, 2011It didnt work for my lnk files(folders) in my mobile phone(appear as removable disk). Any idea?
Ckshea,
sounds like you are having a different issue. What mobile operating system are you running on your phone? Since you are unlikely to receive a response within this comment thread, I recommend you to ask a new question. Please provide a thorough description of your issue and what you have already tried to fix it. Thank you!
September 21, 2011Now my problem was solved. Thanks for your advice!
September 24, 2011Ralph
September 22, 2011Aibek, you seriously just saved my life. I’ve spent the last 45 minutes looking for a solution to this problem. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou
Ralph
September 22, 2011Aibek, you seriously just saved my life. I’ve spent the last 45 minutes looking for a solution to this problem. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou
you’re welcome
September 23, 2011Specialangel2000
September 24, 2011YAY Hooray……Even my computer guy could not tell me what to do. Have been going nuts with this for months……….Voila…….the zip undid all the mess and corrected it all. THANK YOU!!!!
Glad it worked!
September 25, 2011newboy
September 26, 2011Option 2 work well with me aswell… the first option is quite easy for us newcomers however doesn’t shed light to the program to select. in the case that there was a program associated with it, how do you change it using option one to return to original i.e. shortcut file without editing the registry?
If you don’t want to return to the registry than you need to know which program used to be associated with particular file type and re-associate (using right-click menu) it for each broken file type.
October 3, 2011Sibi
September 27, 2011Thanks man. . Great one. .. Worked well just like that. . .
Kudzie
September 29, 2011THANKS YR ARE A GENIUS
Oskari
October 1, 2011Thank you so much!
demmostu
October 3, 2011After download the option 2, what should i do then?? i dont understand what do u mean by unzip it, and run it. It will make necessary changes to the registry. help me help me
The file in option two is a ZIP archive. You can unzip it (open it) using free tools like 7-zip or Windows’ WinZip. After extracting the archive, you will have the actual registry fix file. Just double-click it, it should ask whether it shall merge with your registry and you need to confirm this. That’s how the fix is applied.
October 3, 2011Aibek
October 4, 2011glad it worked!
Melchizedek_43
October 4, 2011thanks a lot…
i fixed it..
Madebyjapan
October 4, 2011Whenever I do option 1 I choose the LNK file but when I click choose program it opens another tab asking what program to open this file…
whenever I do option 2 I try to change the icon for example but it never saves of changes
What exactly happens when you apply the registry fix of option 2? It should automatically fix your lnk file associations.
October 5, 2011yes it automatically fix
October 9, 2011Angealine1990
October 6, 2011Yesssssssssss i had this problem a long time ago… thksssssss a lot
Gloriosojoseph66
October 9, 2011dude thank you ! i the first one does not work on my pc so i downloaded the it work thanks !!
Webned1
October 10, 2011thanks alot ,same problem as all the others.
was breaking my brain to solve this problem, untill i d-loaded this little tool
love you allways
Suraz Ltk
October 12, 2011thaks you very much for the idea because after a long process i found your solution it was done esily.
Tom Joseph
October 18, 2011Thanks.. its working for win 7 …superb
Tom Joseph
October 18, 2011Thanks.. its working for win 7 …superb
Aeatot08
October 19, 2011i have the same problem ’bout the .lnk file type, at this moment i tried to re-open one of my apps using (open with) and i choose windows media player after clicking it all of the icons were gone to windows movie player at first they were all internet explorer icons,what should i do?help plss..
Eminem_aspirine
October 22, 2011Thank u soooooooooooooooooooooo much dude it had really troubled me alot thanks it really works……
Cire_raltiz
October 24, 2011I had thesame problem and i tried your solution.It really worked. Thank you for posting such helpful information
Vaggelisgamatos
October 24, 2011wowwwwwwwwwwww! Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS WORKS
October 24, 2011The link works perfect in windows 7 and vista
to OP: Much thanks!
Akash Nagar
October 30, 2011Thanx Dude.. it’s working…
Ray
October 31, 2011Splendid!!! It worked!!! I downloaded the software and when i restarted everything was back to normal!!! Thanks a lot
Thilina Wijewardana
November 2, 2011Thanks a lot man! It fixed my problem.U genius boy!
maddy
November 5, 2011thanks a lot man ur awesome nice work keep it up
madhavan
November 7, 2011how to convert lnk files back to defult above said is not working.. all my desktop icons and the icons in start have been changed to lnk files
please refer to the very first answer/comment here for an easy fix.
November 8, 2011Boroo
November 8, 2011Hello. I from Mongolia. Just had a similar problem. All my .lnk turned into an .Lnk . . . turned them into an MSWORD program executable. i tried to fix into control panel, but my system language is in Korean. that was very hard to me. cuz i’m Mongolian. i dunno Korean 100%. then i used that download link and now everything is back to normal,,thanks a
lot for that,even tech guys could’nt help me with this one,,thanks again
Han_bmb
November 8, 2011my comment:(
Shuklayogesh
November 9, 2011your solution was very accurate
Thimza
November 21, 2011ROCK STAR… thanx worked for me
Satish Eee32
November 28, 2011Thanks for the above…. it worked very nice.
Lilis10lt
November 29, 2011Thank you, thank so much you save me
David
November 30, 2011Great solution, one of my colleagues had managed to set all his shortcuts to open with nero and this fixed it instantly, thanks!!
aboraheal
December 1, 2011thank you
the first option worked for me on windows 7
thank you
Jeremyk
December 3, 2011I got this same problem because of a virus fix. I added a couple default programs in the set association panel but obviously no cigar. I was happy to find this fix but unfortunatly I still have the exact same problem after amending the fix into my registry. I’d take your advice and start a new thread but I don’t know what to ask and you guys seem to be on top on things. Any other ideas?
Restore you pc, using system restore to a restore point when it worked fine without any problem.
December 4, 2011Hi
December 4, 2011Download FixExeLnk
http://www.ptorris.com/outils.php
Its in french, so after extraction click on FixExeLnk.exe and then check the three box and click on appliquer.
Hi
December 4, 2011Download FixExeLnk
http://www.ptorris.com/outils.php
Its in french, so after extraction click on FixExeLnk.exe and then check the three box and click on appliquer.
Hello, was your computer infected really bad? How was it cleaned? Is your operating system windows 7? Can you download superantispyware and give your computer a full scan? This is the link for portable version of the program. It will download with a file with the .com extension, so you shouldn’t have a problem running it. Because it is the portable version of program, you can run it from a flashdrive. You do not have to update…it already is.
http://www.superantispyware.com/portablescanner.html?tag=SAS_HOMEPAGE
This is what you can do:
– download program either to computer or flashdrive
– double click on the file downloaded SAS_XXXXXXX.com
– enter password if needed
– click on ok for default language
– click on preferences and make sure to only leave unmarked the following:
ignore system restore
– click on the home icon
– make sure to select complete scan
– click on scan
– let full scan complete and remove any entries found (if any)
– restart system to complete cleaning of entries found.
I am just trying to make sure your system is clean. Ok, now download the portable edition of re-enable:
http://www.tangosoft.co.uk/downloads.html
Once program is downloaded, do the following:
– double click on file downloaded
– enter password if needed
– click on run
– make sure all options are marked
– click on re-enable
– once that is done, on menu click on Tools
– select repair explorer.exe startup problems
Let me know if it was fixed or if superantispyware found any entries. Reply to my message instead of just replying. If you reply to my message, I’ll get your answer. If you just reply, I will not.
December 4, 2011Aurelle
December 7, 2011Thxxx so much for helping,Option 2 wrked so quickly and so well!
:):)
Xihongw
December 8, 2011Thank you so much, it is really works for win7
Tyler
December 9, 2011Thank you so much it worked
mamali
December 10, 2011woooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww ….tx for your help ….txxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx bro
Artyom
December 13, 2011Thank you so much,
you are help me much more.
Thanks…
Hajimirzaei Dvm
December 14, 2011Thank yot so much from Aibek. for 2th solution.
keitaro
December 16, 2011somebody please tell me what i should do?!! have the exact same problem but dont see the solution anywhere
Hello, if you are using windows 7, visit the link provided below. Scroll down until you find the lnk entry. Download it and then follow the instructions on the link itself. It will tell you everything you need to do:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html
December 21, 2011Subhash Mudaliyar
December 16, 2011DEAR SIR
WHEN I START WINDOWS ALL THE FILE IN THE DESKTOD TURNS INTO NOTEPOADPLEASE GVE ME SOLUTION STEP BY STEP PLEASE HELP ME
I recommend you ask this as a new question on MakeUseOf Answers, http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/
December 17, 2011Cehtrixz
December 17, 2011how can i fix .lnk files
Hello, what is your operating system? The reason I ask is because this files are different for operating system. If you are using windows 7, you can use the vista version. These are the links:
For Wiindows 7:
http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
For Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/105/1/File-association-fixes-for-Windows-Vista.html
For XP:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
What you do is the following:
– visit any of the links according to your operating system
– scroll down until you find the lnk link
– click on it to download
– file will be downloaded in a zip extension
– once file is downloaded, unzip with windows tool
– double click on extracted file with a .reg extension
– when it asks you if you want to merge with registry, select yes
– restart your computer
Let me know if it works.
December 21, 2011P_hariyogi
December 28, 2011thanx
CB
December 29, 2011Thank you soooo much. The first one worked. Happy New Year
CB
December 29, 2011Correction. It was the 2nd one that worked thanks.
Joeri
December 29, 2011Hi all,
I have a same problem….i need to remove unwanted program for .Dll
file.
I’ve successfully followed these steps:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerFileExts[file
extension]OpenWithList.
Then I checked the
Recommended Program List for .Dll file. But unwanted program was still
there in list. So i thought changes might be reflected after reboot.
But even after reboot it was showing the program in list.
I’ve again confirmed that key is deleted or not…key was removed
properly…do we need to follow some other steps in addition to
aforementioned steps???
I also tried Ccleaner but it doesnt help also.
Any help in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Joeri,
After you made the changes what happens when you trey to open the .dll file? Does it work as expected? Any similar with files other than .dll?
The fact that the program is listed under Recommended Program List isn’t really a big deal.
Aibek
December 30, 2011Kabuga usher
January 1, 2012many thanx,
i solved the problem with in a min using the second option.
Happy new year and thanx indeed for your great help.
Cheers;
Usher Kagz K
Abulnass
January 1, 2012Dear Aibek ,
Thank you ver much for this helpful topic , thanks thanks ….
you’re welcome!
January 2, 2012Davidstaar
January 10, 2012Thank you
Jerome Bernard
January 11, 2012i.love.you
thank you so much!
providing tech support to my girlfriend through TeamViewer.
the registry edit file you provided was perfect.
thank you!
Jay Ramdas
January 11, 2012Aibek thnx for solution
Analeadellinger624
January 13, 2012Thank-you a million times over, I have piles of h-work to do and every file was opening in photo gallery as blank–this fix saved me money
you’re welcome!
January 13, 2012Jonie
January 16, 2012What if I cannot find the .lnk file extension?
try the option with the download.
January 16, 2012Marco_vintimilla
January 23, 2012Hello!!! What a great help! I fixed my PC in 5 seconds. Thanks!!!
Arno25
January 24, 2012Thank you so much. It fixed everything
I think that i shoud rewrite my windows …
Thomas
January 29, 2012Thanks sooooooo much Aibek I couldn’t find a solution anywhere
Aibek
February 1, 2012did you try the fix we posted here?
If this started happening recently I suggest trying System Restore first. To access System Restore right click My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties
Click on System Protection and you should see System restore option. Follow restore procedure.
Aibek
Enviroguy2222
February 2, 2012I could not get my start menu icons to work and when I clicked on them I would get an error that said something about Java (TM) 6 Update 3, blah, blah that downloaded just before I had this problem. The icons all turned into java coffe cups that did not work. I fixed it by deleting that new Java version AND then clicking on the Option 2 link that you suggested. I hit the “run” button and poof the Start Menu icons now work and open up the respective files. Now, how can I change the Start Menu icons to look like they did before instead of the new, blank sheets of paper-type of icons?
Enviroguy2222
February 2, 2012By the way you are a genius. You saved me alot of money, time and panic!!!!!!!!!
glad could be helpful
February 3, 2012Khat_182001
February 5, 2012Thank you aibek your a life saver
it really helps
Abhiroop De
February 6, 2012Thank you so much…I was really scared…thanks a lot.
Abhiroop
India
kirat
February 14, 2012im reallllllllllyyy thankful to this website … i was in trouble but now im so happy for solution i got wiith the help of makeuseof.com thanks… wishing you more success in the future
Leon le
February 14, 2012thank you so much it works =]
Chase
February 20, 2012Worked Perfectly!
dude
February 20, 2012Aibek, youre the best! Thank you so much
Nihar
February 26, 2012thanks a lo!!!! the 2nd option did work for me!!!!
tune-chi
February 26, 2012my God!!!!!!! you guys are wonderful…. i thank God that i logged into this site. i had the same lnk problem and i just followed the link below, ran the application, restarted my system, annnnnnnnddd!!!!! whaaalaaaaa am back on…… once again guys thanks alot
Waylonp123
March 1, 2012i have a simaler problen i set winrar to openall game and simler files and cant figer out how to fix it
Shahbaz T K
March 2, 2012Thank you so much Aibek for the Option 2 and Tina for recommending it. Much appreciated
Samratshashi
March 3, 20122nd one worked for windows 7. thanks a ton.
Piyu_arora1997
March 5, 2012nothing is working all icons in start menu and desktop have changed adobe even vlc daemon tools bittorrent are affected neither 2 options is working
Arora,
do you have any idea what caused the issue in the first place?
Did you try Windows System Restore to go back to a previous Windows restore point? Follow the instructions in this article: How To Fix Your PC Using Windows Restore in XP, Vista & 7
March 6, 2012Good luck!
Tmany
March 8, 2012Thank you Aibek!!!!! Option 2 worked for me! I searched many websites with no help, until i found this one:) THank you again!
nikolas
March 9, 2012Please help!Which program opens *.lnk file types?
Nikolas,
LNK file types aren’t really files, they are just shortcuts that link to programs or files. Please use the registry fix, i.e. option 2. This should fix the issue, as many people who have commented before you found. Good luck!
March 10, 2012Brigitte
March 12, 2012Thanks so much. After reading all comments, I tried the second solution first even though I was afraid I would screw things up even worse. Worked like a charm !
Glad it worked, Brigitte!
March 12, 2012Lesa G
March 17, 2012The 2nd option It worked like a charm!
HMMG
March 18, 2012Thanks a lot. You re a saint.
F Syedcool7
March 18, 2012i am so happy now…thankxx alot..i dont know u but thanks alot again..Aibek
Adarsh
March 19, 2012thanx a lot..
pawan
March 20, 2012thanks dear Aibek………. it resolved all problem n my tension thanks alot…..
Koaywj
March 24, 2012thx very much. the first option wont work most of the time so just follow the second option.
junphoenix
March 26, 2012hi…. thanks a lot … very2x much… wew … i really thought that i will not be able to fix my problem about this lnk.,… thnx aibek…
Shubhangijain98
March 28, 2012thank you thank you thank you
i mean anyone with the same problem can try option 2….option 1 didnt work and it took seconds for the software 2 download…..everything will be fine in 5 minutes
aibek, thank you cho much
julia
March 28, 2012thank you thank you thamnk you
i mean anyone with the same problem can try the second option …the 1st one failed….so it will take you just a few minutes to repair the problem
thanks a ton aibek…..:D
but you should be very careful messing with your computer registry. you can really mess up your system to the point where it wont work.
April 25, 2012Mpho
March 28, 2012Thank you so much
Ankush Nautiyal
March 29, 2012Thanks a lot
Egaythorpe
March 29, 2012The guy in my it department said id have to wipe my comp, so glad i didnt ur like my jesus atm thx
Niharikareddy Inugaala
March 30, 2012thanks alottt tina….:-)
Blcb
March 31, 2012All my programs had the .lnk file extension and I kept getting an adobe acrobat error message. I was in a state because I had an assignment due in and I didn’t have a back-up. I just started checking for ways to fix my computer and came across this site. I tried option 2, turned off my computer and turned it back on and all is well, again. Thanks for the great info, it worked.
Nbrel12
March 31, 2012Thank you so much Aibek!! I thought my computer was screwed but then i followed your option 2 and it worked!
Thanks again!
glad to hear it worked)
April 1, 2012grateful :)
April 1, 2012Awesome..thank you. I was going crazy trying to get this fixed after my husband was on our NEW computer. Thank you thank you thank you. Second fix did the trick
Menachem007
April 3, 2012It works fine.You can do it manually by deleting the “UserChoice” entry from the registry[HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerFileExts.lnkUserChoice]
USE OPTION #2
April 6, 2012Just download his 2nd option.
Then restart your computer and it works perfect.
I don’t know why windows 7 has the always open with box checked off. It screwed me up soo bad untill i downloaded option #2
Saffron
April 7, 2012I did this! I tried to get a DVD to run on iTunes rather than Windows Media Payer, and clicked ‘open with’. It then turned EVERYTHING into iTunes! I ended up taking the easy route out and doing a system restore to yesterday, which has fixed it, although I did have to reinstall GoogleChrome, but that wasn’t a problem.
Coolklokan
April 8, 2012Hi, how to do this on Vista?
Same procedure. Use the registry fix (Option 2). It actually is made for Windows Vista, but works in Windows 7 too.
April 9, 2012Dany_bee
April 11, 2012Great! All is working fine now!
Aashaytheronaldo
April 15, 2012thankxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx dudeeeeeeeeee
Austin
April 24, 2012What is The procedure I cant see it It just says question resolved where is the instructions To Fix?
Sorry! We recently switched our comment system and it looks like some comments were lost.
Option 2 is using a registry fix. You can find the fix here.
Download the ZIP file, unpack, run the .reg file and when it asks to merge with registry, let it do that.
Good luck!
April 24, 2012Thanks tina!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 25, 2012Thanks Tina, it works!!!!
April 27, 2012Abubakkar Raheel
April 24, 2012where the hell is the answer to this question???
(
i screwed up my win 7 just like Henry did..
Now what should i do
Option 2: Download the registry fix for the LNK file association here, unpack ZIP file, right-click REG file and select merge, let it do it’s thing and you should be good. Administrator rights required!
April 25, 2012Tina
April 25, 2012!!!ANSWER to this QUESTION!!!
Unfortunately, the original comment was lost when we switched comment systems. However, the solution is still here!
Option 2:
Download registry fix for the LNK file association here and follow instructions on the page.
Briefly, unpack ZIP file, right-click REG file and select merge. Administrator rights required!
thnx alot
April 26, 2012Kevin Michael
April 26, 2012it works but the icons are not changed
Florence
April 27, 2012THANK YOU!!!!!