What is inside a .lnk file? How does it work? The Next CEO of Stack OverflowIs a .lnk file a...
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What is inside a .lnk file? How does it work?
The Next CEO of Stack OverflowIs a .lnk file a symbolic link or a junction?Batch deletion of smaller files from group of files via unix command lineHow synchronize two disks (or folders) using symbolic (or hard) links (like rsync)?How do I fix .lnk files on windows vista?What file extensions does ffmpeg support?Where does Internet Explorer store the last used upload directory?Executable lauches if called directly from terminal, but does not work when called from shell scriptWindows- how do I create my own file extensions, and associate them with my own program?Setting a default program for extensionless filesdoes PATH search include symlinks?Is it safe to delete files with extensions containing non-alphanumeric characters?
I noticed that windows does not show the size of folders, however the size of files. Creating a shortcut however seems to create a new folder by the looks, however it shows that it is actually a file, that just shares the same look as folders on the GUI.
After some quick research I found: Is a .lnk file a symbolic link or a junction?
Which seemed to confirm my first guess. There was also an answer suggesting to simply drag an .lnk file into a txt editor - I did so, but what disappointed as the txt inside the .lnk file was just not readable.
Now I am just curious, if there was a way to actually decypher the file and understand its inner workings. As much as I got thus far, it is just a simple reference to another file or folder. However considering its 2KB size, it seems to me being unexpectedly big.
So what is exactly in the file? How does the reference work? How does it open the file referenced and not the file itself, when selecting?
shell file-extension
asked Aug 19 '17 at 15:46
ImagoImago
1013
add a comment |
I noticed that windows does not show the size of folders, however the size of files. Creating a shortcut however seems to create a new folder by the looks, however it shows that it is actually a file, that just shares the same look as folders on the GUI.
After some quick research I found: Is a .lnk file a symbolic link or a junction?
Which seemed to confirm my first guess. There was also an answer suggesting to simply drag an .lnk file into a txt editor - I did so, but what disappointed as the txt inside the .lnk file was just not readable.
Now I am just curious, if there was a way to actually decypher the file and understand its inner workings. As much as I got thus far, it is just a simple reference to another file or folder. However considering its 2KB size, it seems to me being unexpectedly big.
So what is exactly in the file? How does the reference work? How does it open the file referenced and not the file itself, when selecting?
shell file-extension
asked Aug 19 '17 at 15:46
ImagoImago
1013
See this article Wikipedia:Shortcut. You may open that lnk file in hex editor to see the readable section.
– Biswapriyo
Aug 19 '17 at 16:34
A lnk file is a link to a data object which may be something other than a file. Developers don't normally access the file contents directly but use system functions to create, modify, and access information. I believe the contents are documented by Microsoft somewhere. There have been many versions of the file type over the years making direct access difficult. Windows Explorer recognizes the file type and acts according to the contents
– LMiller7
Aug 19 '17 at 19:27
add a comment |
I noticed that windows does not show the size of folders, however the size of files. Creating a shortcut however seems to create a new folder by the looks, however it shows that it is actually a file, that just shares the same look as folders on the GUI.
After some quick research I found: Is a .lnk file a symbolic link or a junction?
Which seemed to confirm my first guess. There was also an answer suggesting to simply drag an .lnk file into a txt editor - I did so, but what disappointed as the txt inside the .lnk file was just not readable.
Now I am just curious, if there was a way to actually decypher the file and understand its inner workings. As much as I got thus far, it is just a simple reference to another file or folder. However considering its 2KB size, it seems to me being unexpectedly big.
So what is exactly in the file? How does the reference work? How does it open the file referenced and not the file itself, when selecting?
shell file-extension
asked Aug 19 '17 at 15:46
ImagoImago
1013
I noticed that windows does not show the size of folders, however the size of files. Creating a shortcut however seems to create a new folder by the looks, however it shows that it is actually a file, that just shares the same look as folders on the GUI.
After some quick research I found: Is a .lnk file a symbolic link or a junction?
Which seemed to confirm my first guess. There was also an answer suggesting to simply drag an .lnk file into a txt editor - I did so, but what disappointed as the txt inside the .lnk file was just not readable.
Now I am just curious, if there was a way to actually decypher the file and understand its inner workings. As much as I got thus far, it is just a simple reference to another file or folder. However considering its 2KB size, it seems to me being unexpectedly big.
So what is exactly in the file? How does the reference work? How does it open the file referenced and not the file itself, when selecting?
shell file-extension
shell file-extension
asked Aug 19 '17 at 15:46
ImagoImago
1013
asked Aug 19 '17 at 15:46
ImagoImago
1013
asked Aug 19 '17 at 15:46
ImagoImago
1013
asked Aug 19 '17 at 15:46
ImagoImago
1013
asked Aug 19 '17 at 15:46
ImagoImago
1013
1013
See this article Wikipedia:Shortcut. You may open that lnk file in hex editor to see the readable section.
– Biswapriyo
Aug 19 '17 at 16:34
A lnk file is a link to a data object which may be something other than a file. Developers don't normally access the file contents directly but use system functions to create, modify, and access information. I believe the contents are documented by Microsoft somewhere. There have been many versions of the file type over the years making direct access difficult. Windows Explorer recognizes the file type and acts according to the contents
– LMiller7
Aug 19 '17 at 19:27
add a comment |
See this article Wikipedia:Shortcut. You may open that lnk file in hex editor to see the readable section.
– Biswapriyo
Aug 19 '17 at 16:34
A lnk file is a link to a data object which may be something other than a file. Developers don't normally access the file contents directly but use system functions to create, modify, and access information. I believe the contents are documented by Microsoft somewhere. There have been many versions of the file type over the years making direct access difficult. Windows Explorer recognizes the file type and acts according to the contents
– LMiller7
Aug 19 '17 at 19:27
See this article Wikipedia:Shortcut. You may open that lnk file in hex editor to see the readable section.
– Biswapriyo
Aug 19 '17 at 16:34
See this article Wikipedia:Shortcut. You may open that lnk file in hex editor to see the readable section.
– Biswapriyo
Aug 19 '17 at 16:34
A lnk file is a link to a data object which may be something other than a file. Developers don't normally access the file contents directly but use system functions to create, modify, and access information. I believe the contents are documented by Microsoft somewhere. There have been many versions of the file type over the years making direct access difficult. Windows Explorer recognizes the file type and acts according to the contents
– LMiller7
Aug 19 '17 at 19:27
A lnk file is a link to a data object which may be something other than a file. Developers don't normally access the file contents directly but use system functions to create, modify, and access information. I believe the contents are documented by Microsoft somewhere. There have been many versions of the file type over the years making direct access difficult. Windows Explorer recognizes the file type and acts according to the contents
– LMiller7
Aug 19 '17 at 19:27
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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Command Prompt thinks of a .lnk file like a file and not a shortcut. Renaming the file to something.txt will let you open it. This is what is inside a shortcut that links to system32.
L À F‹ )±ØÑÓ/ÿSçÔ/ÿSçÔ ß PàOÐ ê:i¢Ø +00 /C: V 1 lN
Windows @ ﾋL‘¨lN
. 7è åÃm W i n d o w s Z 1 ~Nã¾ System32 B ﾋL‘¨~Nã¾. ý $ Ñ# S y s t e m 3 2 F 1 E ”´'Î Acer C:WindowsSystem32 . . . . . . W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 % Ý wNÁç]N·D.±®Q˜·Ý X thekerrklan ÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkGÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkG I 1SPSí0½ÚC ‰G§øФsf"- dŒžë¬%
W i n d o w s ( C : ) ‰ 1SPSâŠXF¼L8C»ü“&˜mÎm . S - 1 - 5 - 2 1 - 7 2 6 1 2 9 4 9 5 - 2 1 3 2 9 2 1 4 0 6 - 3 3 7 0 9 9 2 9 6 3 - 1 0 2 7 ” 1SPS0ñ%·ïG¥ñ
S y s t e m 3 2 @ 4±ØÑÓ) F i l e f o l d e r @ /ÿSçÔ U 1SPS¦jc(=•ÒµÖ ÀOÙÐ9 C : W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 9 1SPS±mDpH§H@.¤=xŒ h H X?ªÇƒwHB‡GW»½ùæ
answered 2 hours ago
Xman10110Xman10110
1
New contributor
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The question says that the OP was able to inspect the contents of a.lnkfile by dragging it into a text editor, so your answer doesn’t appear to contribute anything. The question asks how to interpret the contents of a.lnkfile, and how do they work (what is the mechanism by which programs get access to the linked-to file).
– Scott
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
votes
Command Prompt thinks of a .lnk file like a file and not a shortcut. Renaming the file to something.txt will let you open it. This is what is inside a shortcut that links to system32.
L À F‹ )±ØÑÓ/ÿSçÔ/ÿSçÔ ß PàOÐ ê:i¢Ø +00 /C: V 1 lN
Windows @ ﾋL‘¨lN
. 7è åÃm W i n d o w s Z 1 ~Nã¾ System32 B ﾋL‘¨~Nã¾. ý $ Ñ# S y s t e m 3 2 F 1 E ”´'Î Acer C:WindowsSystem32 . . . . . . W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 % Ý wNÁç]N·D.±®Q˜·Ý X thekerrklan ÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkGÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkG I 1SPSí0½ÚC ‰G§øФsf"- dŒžë¬%
W i n d o w s ( C : ) ‰ 1SPSâŠXF¼L8C»ü“&˜mÎm . S - 1 - 5 - 2 1 - 7 2 6 1 2 9 4 9 5 - 2 1 3 2 9 2 1 4 0 6 - 3 3 7 0 9 9 2 9 6 3 - 1 0 2 7 ” 1SPS0ñ%·ïG¥ñ
S y s t e m 3 2 @ 4±ØÑÓ) F i l e f o l d e r @ /ÿSçÔ U 1SPS¦jc(=•ÒµÖ ÀOÙÐ9 C : W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 9 1SPS±mDpH§H@.¤=xŒ h H X?ªÇƒwHB‡GW»½ùæ
answered 2 hours ago
Xman10110Xman10110
1
New contributor
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The question says that the OP was able to inspect the contents of a.lnkfile by dragging it into a text editor, so your answer doesn’t appear to contribute anything. The question asks how to interpret the contents of a.lnkfile, and how do they work (what is the mechanism by which programs get access to the linked-to file).
– Scott
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Command Prompt thinks of a .lnk file like a file and not a shortcut. Renaming the file to something.txt will let you open it. This is what is inside a shortcut that links to system32.
L À F‹ )±ØÑÓ/ÿSçÔ/ÿSçÔ ß PàOÐ ê:i¢Ø +00 /C: V 1 lN
Windows @ ﾋL‘¨lN
. 7è åÃm W i n d o w s Z 1 ~Nã¾ System32 B ﾋL‘¨~Nã¾. ý $ Ñ# S y s t e m 3 2 F 1 E ”´'Î Acer C:WindowsSystem32 . . . . . . W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 % Ý wNÁç]N·D.±®Q˜·Ý X thekerrklan ÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkGÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkG I 1SPSí0½ÚC ‰G§øФsf"- dŒžë¬%
W i n d o w s ( C : ) ‰ 1SPSâŠXF¼L8C»ü“&˜mÎm . S - 1 - 5 - 2 1 - 7 2 6 1 2 9 4 9 5 - 2 1 3 2 9 2 1 4 0 6 - 3 3 7 0 9 9 2 9 6 3 - 1 0 2 7 ” 1SPS0ñ%·ïG¥ñ
S y s t e m 3 2 @ 4±ØÑÓ) F i l e f o l d e r @ /ÿSçÔ U 1SPS¦jc(=•ÒµÖ ÀOÙÐ9 C : W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 9 1SPS±mDpH§H@.¤=xŒ h H X?ªÇƒwHB‡GW»½ùæ
answered 2 hours ago
Xman10110Xman10110
1
New contributor
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The question says that the OP was able to inspect the contents of a.lnkfile by dragging it into a text editor, so your answer doesn’t appear to contribute anything. The question asks how to interpret the contents of a.lnkfile, and how do they work (what is the mechanism by which programs get access to the linked-to file).
– Scott
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Command Prompt thinks of a .lnk file like a file and not a shortcut. Renaming the file to something.txt will let you open it. This is what is inside a shortcut that links to system32.
L À F‹ )±ØÑÓ/ÿSçÔ/ÿSçÔ ß PàOÐ ê:i¢Ø +00 /C: V 1 lN
Windows @ ﾋL‘¨lN
. 7è åÃm W i n d o w s Z 1 ~Nã¾ System32 B ﾋL‘¨~Nã¾. ý $ Ñ# S y s t e m 3 2 F 1 E ”´'Î Acer C:WindowsSystem32 . . . . . . W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 % Ý wNÁç]N·D.±®Q˜·Ý X thekerrklan ÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkGÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkG I 1SPSí0½ÚC ‰G§øФsf"- dŒžë¬%
W i n d o w s ( C : ) ‰ 1SPSâŠXF¼L8C»ü“&˜mÎm . S - 1 - 5 - 2 1 - 7 2 6 1 2 9 4 9 5 - 2 1 3 2 9 2 1 4 0 6 - 3 3 7 0 9 9 2 9 6 3 - 1 0 2 7 ” 1SPS0ñ%·ïG¥ñ
S y s t e m 3 2 @ 4±ØÑÓ) F i l e f o l d e r @ /ÿSçÔ U 1SPS¦jc(=•ÒµÖ ÀOÙÐ9 C : W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 9 1SPS±mDpH§H@.¤=xŒ h H X?ªÇƒwHB‡GW»½ùæ
answered 2 hours ago
Xman10110Xman10110
1
New contributor
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Command Prompt thinks of a .lnk file like a file and not a shortcut. Renaming the file to something.txt will let you open it. This is what is inside a shortcut that links to system32.
L À F‹ )±ØÑÓ/ÿSçÔ/ÿSçÔ ß PàOÐ ê:i¢Ø +00 /C: V 1 lN
Windows @ ﾋL‘¨lN
. 7è åÃm W i n d o w s Z 1 ~Nã¾ System32 B ﾋL‘¨~Nã¾. ý $ Ñ# S y s t e m 3 2 F 1 E ”´'Î Acer C:WindowsSystem32 . . . . . . W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 % Ý wNÁç]N·D.±®Q˜·Ý X thekerrklan ÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkGÞMã‰üܬC¶ðÛ+ ¿lŸÚ–|îì)é¿ÆHÒ$UkG I 1SPSí0½ÚC ‰G§øФsf"- dŒžë¬%
W i n d o w s ( C : ) ‰ 1SPSâŠXF¼L8C»ü“&˜mÎm . S - 1 - 5 - 2 1 - 7 2 6 1 2 9 4 9 5 - 2 1 3 2 9 2 1 4 0 6 - 3 3 7 0 9 9 2 9 6 3 - 1 0 2 7 ” 1SPS0ñ%·ïG¥ñ
S y s t e m 3 2 @ 4±ØÑÓ) F i l e f o l d e r @ /ÿSçÔ U 1SPS¦jc(=•ÒµÖ ÀOÙÐ9 C : W i n d o w s S y s t e m 3 2 9 1SPS±mDpH§H@.¤=xŒ h H X?ªÇƒwHB‡GW»½ùæ
answered 2 hours ago
Xman10110Xman10110
1
New contributor
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Xman10110Xman10110
1
New contributor
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Xman10110Xman10110
1
answered 2 hours ago
Xman10110Xman10110
1
1
New contributor
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Xman10110 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The question says that the OP was able to inspect the contents of a.lnkfile by dragging it into a text editor, so your answer doesn’t appear to contribute anything. The question asks how to interpret the contents of a.lnkfile, and how do they work (what is the mechanism by which programs get access to the linked-to file).
– Scott
1 hour ago
add a comment |
The question says that the OP was able to inspect the contents of a.lnkfile by dragging it into a text editor, so your answer doesn’t appear to contribute anything. The question asks how to interpret the contents of a.lnkfile, and how do they work (what is the mechanism by which programs get access to the linked-to file).
– Scott
1 hour ago
The question says that the OP was able to inspect the contents of a
.lnk file by dragging it into a text editor, so your answer doesn’t appear to contribute anything. The question asks how to interpret the contents of a .lnk file, and how do they work (what is the mechanism by which programs get access to the linked-to file).– Scott
1 hour ago
The question says that the OP was able to inspect the contents of a
.lnk file by dragging it into a text editor, so your answer doesn’t appear to contribute anything. The question asks how to interpret the contents of a .lnk file, and how do they work (what is the mechanism by which programs get access to the linked-to file).– Scott
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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See this article Wikipedia:Shortcut. You may open that lnk file in hex editor to see the readable section.
– Biswapriyo
Aug 19 '17 at 16:34
A lnk file is a link to a data object which may be something other than a file. Developers don't normally access the file contents directly but use system functions to create, modify, and access information. I believe the contents are documented by Microsoft somewhere. There have been many versions of the file type over the years making direct access difficult. Windows Explorer recognizes the file type and acts according to the contents
– LMiller7
Aug 19 '17 at 19:27