By default, all versions of Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 do not display file extensions on their desktop (for example, extensions such as exe, mp3, txt, doc, avi). This is done in order to make the life of the system user easier and not to embarrass him with incomprehensible "postscripts" at the end of the file name. But you should know that Windows allows you to enable the display of hidden file extensions. You can enable this mode through the section of the Explorer settings "Folder Options" or "Folder Options". In it you need to find the option "Hide extensions for known file types" or "Hide extensions for known file types" and deactivate it (uncheck the box).
Once you disable this option, Windows will display most of the file extensions in Explorer and you will be able to distinguish the file types yourself. In our opinion, this option should be enabled by default, since the invisibility of extensions carries a certain risk for the computer. After all, it is very easy to disguise any executable file with the EXE extension as a text file with the TXT extension. The result will be something like "filename.txt.exe". If Windows is configured to hide extensions, then such a file will be displayed in explorer windows as "filename.txt" and the user will not be able to understand that this safe name is hiding an executable file. If you try to open it, then run the specified EXE file for execution. If it contained malicious code, a lot of damage could be done to the computer.
This is why it is advisable to always show file extensions in windows windows. But even if you disable the option to hide extensions through the "Folder Options", some files will remain in the system, whose extensions will still not be displayed in Windows Explorer. We are talking about files with the extension LNK (shortcut to a file), URL (shortcut to a link to an Internet address), PIF (shortcut to a DOS application).
To hide these extensions, Windows uses special keys in the system registry. The name of these keys is very "talking" - "NeverShowExt". If you install such a key for any extension through the registry editor, then it will not be displayed in the system either.
Below is a list of the most popular files whose extensions never appear in Windows Explorer:
- LNK (shortcut file or folder)
- URL (shortcut to a link to an Internet address)
- PIF (shortcut to DOS application)
- SCF (Windows Explorer Batch File)
- SHS (Shell Scrap Object, scrap file)
- SHB (document shortcut)
- XNK (sync directory shortcut)
As you already understood, each of these files has a corresponding "NeverShowExt" entry in the system registry and automatically hides its extension in Windows Explorer, even when the option to hide extensions is disabled.
Let's return to the fact that this is a potential risk to the system. Agree, any attacker can hide malicious code as a text file in the form of a scrap file, for example filename.txt.shs. Obviously, in this case Windows will not display the ".shs" extension and you will only see "filename.txt". If you run it, you can easily inject a virus onto your computer.
Is there a solution to this problem? How do I fully open any file extensions for display on the system? Below we will give you the answers to these questions!
All you need to do is delete the "NeverShowExt" key written in the registry next to a specific file type. After this operation, you will see the extension of this file anyway.
So, in order to raise the security level of your computer, follow these steps:
1. Press the key combination WIN + R to launch the Run dialog box. Type "regedit" in it and press Enter. This will open the Registry Editor.
3. In the search bar for registry objects, type "NeverShowExt" and press Enter. This will start the process of searching the system registry for the string value you entered. As a result, the search will stop at the first record containing the string "NeverShowExt".
Continuing your search, you will find many more registry keys with the entry of the string "NeverShowExt", but you only need to delete it in the branch that describes the file extension you need. Be very careful when removing this parameter, as the same parameter can be specified for other registry objects besides file extensions.
Before removing the "NeverShowExt" parameter for a specific extension, make a backup copy of this registry key. To do this, call the context menu with the right mouse button and select the "Export" item.
4. After creating the backup, select the "NeverShowExt" option in the right pane of the Registry Editor and press the "Delete" button on your keyboard to delete it. Then press the "F3" button in order to find the next occurrence of the "NeverShowExt" string. Delete this value over and over for extension keys until you get the "Registry lookup complete" message.
5. This completes the work. After you have finished removing the "NeverShowExt" extension parameter from the registry, you must restart Windows. Now in Explorer (Explorer) absolutely all files will be displayed with extensions.
Note: you can use a special script that will automatically delete all "NeverShowExt" lines in the registry, written as a parameter for files with specially hidden extensions. Download the ZIP archive, unpack it and run the file with the REG extension. Give your consent to the question about making changes to the registry. After restarting your computer, you will be able to see absolutely all files with the extension.
Users often face a problem when all shortcuts are opened by one program. It can be a browser, notepad, Total Commander, or another application. This usually happens if the user sets the default program for opening files with the .lnk extension. As a result, the launch of any application ends with an error, since all shortcuts are opened by one program.
We fix the problem
Solution for Windows 7
We press "Win + R" and enter "regedit". Click "OK".
The "Registry Editor" will open. Go to the branch "HKEY_CURRENT_USER", "Software", "Microsoft", "Windows", "CurrentVersion", "Explorer", "FileExts", ".lnk".
Here you need to delete the "UserChoice" subsection and restart your PC.
Solution for Windows XP
You need to download the Fixlnk utility. The archive will be downloaded. Open it and click on the registry file. We agree to make changes.
We reboot the computer.
It is worth noting that a similar situation can arise with extension .exe applications. In this case, the registry editor will fail. Therefore, you need to boot from the installation disk or from a USB flash drive with Windows PE. Here you need to run the Registry Workshop utility, go to the registry branch “HKEY_CURRENT_USER”, “Software”, “Microsoft”, “Windows”, “CurrentVersion”, “Explorer”, “FileExts”, “.exe” and delete the UserChoice subkey. After completing the operation, you need to restart the PC.
You can open file with LNK using special software abopted to do this. To open this format, download one of the proposed programs.
LNK file extension
The LNK extension is a kind of "guide" used to refer to a specific executable file. Another common name for the LNK format is a shortcut (eng. Windows File Shortcut). Such a shortcut contains comprehensive information about the attributes of the executable file and the possibilities of its launch. Also, the LNK file can contain information about the directory where the executable file is contained.
Typically, shortcuts are generated automatically when you install applications. However, there is a way to create them manually: to do this, you need to click on the area where you plan to create the LNK file, and select the menu option “ Create shortcut”.
Visually, the LNK file icon is similar to the executable file icon, except that the cursor is usually displayed at the bottom left of the shortcut.
Programs to open LNK
Among the most popular software applications that open the LNK format are:
- Flint Linkinfo (Windows OS);
- Codeweavers Crossover (Mac OS);
- Parallels desktop (Mac OS).
Converting LNK to other formats
LNK file belongs to the system files category. Conversion for this file type is not provided.
The main problems that may arise with the LNK file
The most common problem common to all LNK extensions is the incorrect binding of the shortcut to the executable file. In other words, the wrong program was assigned to the shortcut. To fix this situation, you need to right-click on the shortcut, select the option " To open with", Then select the one you want from the list of available applications or download it from the Internet.
Why exactly LNK and what are its advantages?
The main advantage of the LNK file is quick access to launch the required application. The user does not need to search for the executable Exe file, scouring the directory tree. It is enough just to store the shortcuts you need on the PC desktop, and launch it with a double click of the mouse.
A shortcut or "link" that Windows uses to refer to the original file. Close to alternative to the Macintosh platform. Contains the target type of shortcut, information about the location and name, as well as information about the program that opens the target file and an additional hotkey. Can be created in Windows by right-clicking on a file and choosing the "Create Shortcut" option.
LNK files usually use the same icon as the target file, but adds a small arrow to indicate that the file is pointing to a different location. When you double-click on a file, the shortcut acts in the same way as if the user had clicked on the original file.
LNK files with shortcuts to a program (file) can define attributes for how the program should run. To set the attributes, right-click on the shortcut file, select the "Properties" option and change the Target field.
Note: LNK files on Windows do not show the ".lnk" file extension even if the "Hide extensions for known file types" folder view properties are not selected. Although not recommended, users can customize the view by editing the "NeverShowExt" properties in the "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ lnkfile" Windows logon register.
This file does not require programs to open, it is a regular Shortcut that can be opened in the standard way (by double-clicking on it).
.Lnk extension What is the file format?
LNK files are part of the user's desktop. They are shortcuts. They can also be found under the name "bridging files".
Files in this format are unique to the Windows operating system. Files like them are actively used in other operating systems (for example, in MacOS), but they have a different name. They are a kind of pointer to a file with the extension .exe, which is located not on the desktop, but in some folder on the user's computer. When you double-click on the shortcut with the LNK extension, the EXE program associated with it starts.
What do LNK files look like?
LNK files are located on and look like a small curved arrow icon. For each software with the EXE extension, one bright is created, which is placed on the user's desktop. This is necessary so as not to overload it, because files in EXE format sometimes have a lot of weight.
With the help of a file with the LNK extension, you can quickly call a specific program from the desktop. This will save time searching for the application in the main drop-down menu. You just need to click on the file with the LNK extension on the desktop.
Now you know how to open lnk and what programs to use for this!
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