Иногда приходится сталкиваться с такой ситуацией, когда все ярлыки на рабочем столе перестали запускаться. Также бывает, что не запускаются не ярлыки, а сами программы — файлы с расширением EXE — опять же, не отдельные, а все файлы этого типа, либо все они начинают открываться в какой-либо одной программе, например, Блокноте.
Причины могут быть разными, но часто проблема бывает вызвана сбоем в ассоциациях файлов Windows 11, Windows 10 или предыдущих версиях ОС, которые легко исправить. Ниже описаны способы исправления ассоциаций файлов EXE и LNK, в отдельной инструкции вы можете найти дополнительный способ восстановить ассоциации файлов Windows 10 (подойдёт и для Windows 11).
Почему ярлыки не открываются или открываются одной программой
Рассматриваемая проблема может возникать по разным причинам — иногда виноват сам пользователь, неаккуратно выставив открытие ярлыков или исполняемых файлов через определенную программу. В этом случае, при попытке запустить ярлык программы или exe файл у вас может открываться какая-то не предназначенная для этого программа — браузер, блокнот, архиватор или что-то еще. Также это может быть побочный эффект от работы вредоносного программного обеспечения.
Основной признак того, что причина проблемы с запуском ярлыков или программ именно в неверных ассоциациях — открытие одной и той же программы, независимо от того, какой файл открывается.
Ещё один возможный симптом — одно и то же сообщение об ошибке при открытии разных файлов EXE и LNK, однако в этом случае нельзя быть уверенным на 100%, что причина именно в нарушенных ассоциациях файлов, возможно, дело в чём-то другом и имеет смысл поискать решения проблемы по тексту сообщения об ошибке.
Как исправить проблему
В зависимости от конкретной ситуации, решения могут быть разными. Чаще всего срабатывает один из следующих подходов:
- Использование точек восстановления системы на дату, когда проблема не наблюдалась. Если вы не можете открыть интерфейс для доступа к точкам восстановления, можно попробовать использовать диспетчер задач (Ctrl+Alt+Delete), после чего использовать меню Файл — Новая задача — rstrui.exe Ещё один вариант — использование точек восстановления с загрузочной флешки (описано в инструкции по предыдущей ссылке), либо с WinPE.
- Использование сторонних утилит для восстановления ассоциаций файлов, например, FixExec
- Если точки восстановления отсутствуют, вы можете создать reg-файл (в том числе на другом компьютере) для восстановления ассоциаций нужного типа файла, после чего объединить его с реестром (правый клик по файлу — объединить) и перезагрузить компьютер. Код файла для восстановления ассоциаций EXE:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runasuser\command] "DelegateExecute"="{ea72d00e-4960-42fa-ba92-7792a7944c1d}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers] @="Compatibility" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Compatibility] @="{1d27f844-3a1f-4410-85ac-14651078412d}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\DropHandler] @="{86C86720-42A0-1069-A2E8-08002B30309D}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property Page] @="{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\{B41DB860-64E4-11D2-9906-E49FADC173CA}] @="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\{B41DB860-8EE4-11D2-9906-E49FADC173CA}] @=""
- Код для LNK (ярлыков):
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.LNK] @="lnkfile" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.LNK\ShellEx\{000214EE-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.LNK\ShellEx\{000214F9-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.LNK\ShellEx\{00021500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.LNK\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.LNK\ShellNew] "Handler"="{ceefea1b-3e29-4ef1-b34c-fec79c4f70af}" "IconPath"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,\ 74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,\ 00,68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,\ 31,00,36,00,37,00,36,00,39,00,00,00 "ItemName"="@shell32.dll,-30397" "MenuText"="@shell32.dll,-30318" "NullFile"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.LNK\ShellNew\Config] "DontRename"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile] @="Shortcut" "EditFlags"=dword:00000001 "FriendlyTypeName"="@shell32.dll,-4153" "IsShortcut"="" "NeverShowExt"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\CLSID] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Compatibility] @="{1d27f844-3a1f-4410-85ac-14651078412d}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu] @="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] @="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\DropHandler] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property Page] @="{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}" [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.LNK\UserChoice] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.LNK\OpenWithProgids] "lnkfile"=hex(0):
В большинстве случаев, если проблема запуска LNK и/или EXE файлов вызвана именно ассоциациями файлов, один из методов помогает решить проблему. Если же она сохраняется, опишите в деталях ситуацию, используя комментарии ниже — я постараюсь помочь.
.lnk — это файл ярлыка в Windows 7. Каким-то завуалированным способом я умудрился заставить винду открывать файлы с этим расширением Тотал Коммандером. Вопрос в том как обнулить ярлыкам их истинную задачу? На что нужно поменять ассоциацию этих файлов?
ЗЫ. Один из самых глупых поводов переустанавить систему
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Вопрос задан
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15320 просмотров
KEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk
Необходимо удалить и перелогиниться.
Пригласить эксперта
Проверьте HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/.lnk
Еще гляньте в HKCU, должно быть так:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk\OpenWithList]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk\OpenWithProgids]
«lnkfile»=hex(0):
Войдите, чтобы написать ответ
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Показать ещё
Загружается…
Минуточку внимания
- Статус темы:
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Закрыта.
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Ярлыки в меню ПУСК (скайп, интернет эксплорер и др.) стали выглядеть как белый прямоугольник, программы из ПУСКА не запускаются, работают, если их запустить через .exe самих программ. Помогите, пожалуйста!
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oleg
Expert
ВирусоборецКакая операционная система установлена?
Сделайте скриншот того, что происходит и выложите его здесь. -
Применимо только для WINDOWS XP
Сохраните код в текстовый файл, присвойте ему расширение *.reg, после чего запустите. На вопрос о внесении изменений в реестр, ответьте «ДА».
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk] @="lnkfile" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{000214EE-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{000214F9-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{00021500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew] "Command"="rundll32.exe appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere %1" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile] @="Shortcut" "EditFlags"=dword:00000001 "IsShortcut"="" "NeverShowExt"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\CLSID] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Offline Files] @="{750fdf0e-2a26-11d1-a3ea-080036587f03}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\DropHandler] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property Page] @="{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}] @="Shortcut" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32] @="shell32.dll" "ThreadingModel"="Apartment" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\PersistentAddinsRegistered] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\PersistentAddinsRegistered\{89BCB740-6119-101A-BCB7-00DD010655AF}] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\PersistentHandler] @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\ProgID] @="lnkfile" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\shellex] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\shellex\MayChangeDefaultMenu] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe] @="exefile" "Content Type"="application/x-msdownload" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\PersistentHandler] @="{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile] @="Application" "EditFlags"=hex:38,07,00,00 "TileInfo"="prop:FileDescription;Company;FileVersion" "InfoTip"="prop:FileDescription;Company;FileVersion;Create;Size" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon] @="%1" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open] "EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command] @="\"%1\" %*" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command] @="\"%1\" %*" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\DropHandler] @="{86C86720-42A0-1069-A2E8-08002B30309D}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\PEAnalyser] @="{09A63660-16F9-11d0-B1DF-004F56001CA7}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\PifProps] @="{86F19A00-42A0-1069-A2E9-08002B30309D}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property Page] @="{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile] @="Registration Entries" "EditFlags"=dword:00100000 "BrowserFlags"=dword:00000008 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\DefaultIcon] @=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\ 00,5c,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,74,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\ 2c,00,31,00,00,00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell] @="open" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\edit] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\edit\command] @=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\ 00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,4e,00,4f,00,\ 54,00,45,00,50,00,41,00,44,00,2e,00,45,00,58,00,45,00,20,00,25,00,31,00,00,\ 00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\open] @="Mer&ge" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\open\command] @="regedit.exe \"%1\"" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\print] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\print\command] @=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\ 00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,4e,00,4f,00,\ 54,00,45,00,50,00,41,00,44,00,2e,00,45,00,58,00,45,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,20,\ 00,25,00,31,00,00,00
Последнее редактирование модератором: 3 дек 2011
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Windows 7.0, скриншот во вложении
Вложения:
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Пожалуйста, можно поподробней, каким образом сохранить код в текстовый файл?
сделала, но файл не запустился, сообщение Not all data was sucessfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other process. Остальные окна закрыты
Последнее редактирование модератором: 3 дек 2011
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oleg
Expert
ВирусоборецДля восстановления ассоциаций в .lnk файлов в WINDOWS 7 выполните следующее:
Откройте редактор реестра, перейдите в раздел
и удалите подраздел UserChoice.
Вот REG-файл(скачать), для восстановления ассоциации .lnk файлов:
Нажмите правой кнопкой по файлу и выберите «Запустить от имени Администратора». Далее на запрос, ответьте да.Если не удалось скачать, вот его содержимое:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
@=»lnkfile»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{000214EE-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@=»{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{000214F9-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@=»{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{00021500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@=»{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@=»{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew]
«Handler»=»{ceefea1b-3e29-4ef1-b34c-fec79c4f70af}»
«IconPath»=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,\
74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,\
00,68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,\
31,00,36,00,37,00,36,00,39,00,00,00
«ItemName»=»@shell32.dll,-30397»
«MenuText»=»@shell32.dll,-30318»
«NullFile»=»»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew\Config]
«DontRename»=»»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile]
@=»Shortcut»
«EditFlags»=dword:00000001
«FriendlyTypeName»=»@shell32.dll,-4153»
«IsShortcut»=»»
«NeverShowExt»=»»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\CLSID]
@=»{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Compatibility]
@=»{1d27f844-3a1f-4410-85ac-14651078412d}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@=»{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@=»»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\DropHandler]
@=»{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler]
@=»{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}»[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property Page]
@=»{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}»[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk\UserChoice]
Последнее редактирование: 3 дек 2011
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файл не запустился, причина опять та же самая: Not all data was sucessfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other process.
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oleg
Expert
ВирусоборецОтключите контроль учетной записи как показано здесь
Запустите .reg файл от имени администратора, на вопрос ответьте да. -
кликаю правой кнопкой мыши на .reg файл, доступны следующие опции:merge, edit, print, mediainfo, send to, cut, copy, delete, rename, open with, share with. Как открыть от имени администратора?
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СПАСИБО БОЛЬШОЕ, ВСЕ ЗАРАБОТАЛО!
- Статус темы:
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Закрыта.
Поделиться этой страницей
When all icons in the Start Menu or on your desktop turn blank or change to a single, identical icon, such as Internet Explorer or Microsoft Word, it indicates a conflict with the IconCache.db file. This usually happens after the installation of software or an application that also disrupts the .lnk extension, which is the extension for shortcuts in Windows.
You might run into people saying that this is a virus, but fear not as this is simply not true. The issue is very simple and comes practically out of nowhere, and the solution for it is also very simple. What you can try before attempting any of the methods below is to reboot your device and see if it was a one-time issue. However, if it returns, it’s time to try something different.
To help you solve it, there are two things that you can try, and both of them have been proven to work for a fairly big user base, so one of them will definitely help you.
Method 1: Delete the .lnk key in the registry
Since the issue is with the .lnk extension, deleting its key in the registry will reset it back to normal the next time you boot your computer. Doing this is very easy, all you have to do is follow the steps below.
- Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run.
- Type ‘regedit‘ in the box, and either click ‘OK‘ or press ‘Enter‘ on your keyboard.
- Once the Registry Editor opens, use the left side navigation pane to get to the following location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\
- Once in the FileExts folder, find the .lnk subfolder and delete it. Close the Registry Editor.
- Reboot your device for the changes to take effect.
Method 2: Delete the IconCache.db file
If deleting the .lnk key from the Registry Editor didn’t help, you may try deleting the IconCache database file which will also reset any shortcut issues when you reboot. The steps you can use to do this are below.
- Close all folders that you have open.
- Press the Windows and R keys on your keyboard simultaneously. Then, in the Run window, type ‘taskmgr.exe‘. Press Enter on your keyboard, or click OK to open the Task Manager.
- Switch to the Processes tab, and locate explorer.exe. Right-click it, and choose End Process. When asked for confirmation, click End Process.
- From the File menu on the menu bar in the Task Manager, select New Task (Run…).
- Type in cmd.exe and click OK or press Enter.
- Once you’re inside the Command Prompt, you will need to type in a few commands. Make sure to press Enter on your keyboard after each command to execute them.
CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
DEL IconCache.db /a
EXIT
- Go back to the Task Manager, and click File from the menu bar, then New Task (Run…).
- Type in explorer.exe to restart the process and click OK.
- Reboot your computer.
This issue has appeared most commonly for users of Windows 7, however other versions of Microsoft’s operating system aren’t excluded. The steps to solving the issue are easy, and by following the aforementioned methods you will have your icons back to normal in no time.
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If all of your files suddenly have the .lnk extension, you can’t open apps by clicking their shortcuts, or you’re seeing non-stop errors about .lnk files, the issue might stem from a malware infection or Windows Update gone awry. LNK is the file extension used for Windows shortcuts—the icons and menu items you click to open files, folders, and documents.[1]
Broken LNK files may cause headaches, but fortunately, there’s usually an easy fix! This wikiHow article will teach you 6 easy ways to fix problems with LNK files on your Windows PC.
Things You Should Know
- If your icons and shortcuts have changed to LNK files, it may be due to corrupt system files.
- If your LNK errors are due to a virus or malware infection, you can usually fix the issue by running an anti-malware scan in Safe Mode.
- There are several freeware tools available that can easily fix broken LNK files.
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In many cases, a .lnk file extension problem can be caused by a virus or malware. To properly scan and remove threats from your PC, you’ll want to boot up into Safe Mode with Networking. If you know for sure you don’t have a malware infection, you can skip this method.
- If you can access your Windows Settings, you can boot into Safe mode by clicking the Start menu and going to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Restart Now. When your PC restarts, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. When prompted after reboot, press 5 or F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.[2]
- If you can’t access Settings, reboot your PC to the sign-in screen. Once you’re prompted to log in, hold down Shift as you click Power > Restart. When the PC restarts, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. When prompted after reboot, press 5 or F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.
- If you can access your Windows Settings, you can boot into Safe mode by clicking the Start menu and going to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Restart Now. When your PC restarts, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. When prompted after reboot, press 5 or F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.[2]
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Download Malwarebytes from https://www.malwarebytes.com. Once you’re in Safe Mode, you should be able to open any web browser (such as Edge or Chrome). Malwarebytes has a free malware scanning and removal app that can easily identify these viruses and remove them from Windows. Click Start Free Download to download the installer to your PC.
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Double-click the MBSetup file you downloaded (it will be in your Downloads folder), then follow the on-screen instructions to install Malwarebytes on your PC. If prompted to install BrowserGuard, choose Skip this for Now.
- Click Done when you’re finished installing. Malwarebytes will then launch automatically.
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You’ll see this below «Scanner» on the welcome screen. Malwarebytes will now check for updates and then scan Windows for viruses and malware. This process can a few minutes or longer, depending on the size of your hard drive and whether updates need to be installed.
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Once the scan is finished, a pop-up will appear at the bottom-right corner of your screen. You’ll see the View Scan Results button on this pop-up.
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If any threats were detected, Malwarebytes will help you quarantine them. Check all the boxes to select detected threats, then click Quarantine to remove them.
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Once the scan is done and the threats are quarantined, reboot your PC normally. If your PC was infected with malware or a virus and Malwarebytes was able to fix the problem, this may have solved the issue.
- It’s possible that you’ll still experience .LNK errors even after the threats were removed. If so, try using a broken shortcut fixer or running a registry fix.
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Usually, .lnk extensions fail to work properly due to a failed Windows Update, missing files or files corrupted by malware. You can download and run .lnk file association fixer to solve this problem. You can download the file for all versions of Windows from https://www.thewindowsclub.com/downloads/lnk-fix-twc.zip.
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To unzip, right-click the downloaded file, select Extract All, choose a location (such as your desktop), and then click Extract. The new folder will open instantly.
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If you’re using Windows 11, you’ll need to select Show more options first. You’ll be asked if you want to continue.
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This applies the registry fix. Once the process is complete, you can restart your PC. This should resolve most .LNK link error problems.
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You may be able to resolve the .LNK errors with a quick System Restore. To open the Control Panel without encountering .LNK errors, follow these steps:[3]
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type Control Panel.
- Click OK.
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If you see it in the window, click Recovery. If not, type recovery into the search bar at the top of the window and click Recovery when it appears.[4]
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It’s the second option.[5]
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This displays a list of restore points.
- If you see an error that says you don’t have System Restore configured, you won’t be able to use this method. But don’t worry—you can continue with any of the other methods.
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Choose a restore point from a date on which your computer was working well.
- If you click Scan for affected programs with a restore point selected, you’ll see which programs you’ve installed since Windows created that restore point. All of these programs will be removed from your PC if you complete the restore, but your personal files and other programs will be safe.
- If you don’t see a good candidate, check the box next to «Show more restore points» at the bottom.[6]
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A summary will appear.[7]
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Once the process is complete, your computer will be restored to the selected date.
- If this doesn’t solve the .LNK problem, you can continue to another method.
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This freeware tool will scan for broken shortcuts (LNK) files and repair them automatically. To download the program, go to https://www.glarysoft.com/glary-utilities/ and click the green Download Now button.
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Click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
- Click Finish after installing and the app will launch instantly.
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It’s at the top of the window.
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The tool will now scan your computer for any broken .LNK shortcuts. All broken shortcuts will appear in the window.
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If not all of the boxes are checked by default, select them now.
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It’s to the right of the «Fix Shortcut» button at the top of the tool.
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This repairs the links for all of the broken shortcuts.
- If a shortcut cannot be fixed, you’ll see the word «Error» to the right of its name. Also, a checkbox will remain next to the file to indicate that it’s still selected, while the fixed files will no longer have shortcuts.
- You can repair any of the «Error» shortcuts manually by re-associating those .lnk files with the apps or files they are supposed to point to. To do this, click one of the error files, then click Fix Shortcut. Choose the correct file, folder, or app, then click Open to select it.
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You can use your PC’s System File Checker (SFC) to repair problems with corrupted system files. Fixing these system files will often resolve .LNK errors. To avoid potential .LNK errors when opening Command Prompt, follow these steps to open it:
- Press Windows key + R.
- Type cmd but don’t press Enter.
- Press Control + Shift + Enter at the same time.
- Click Yes to open the command prompt.
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This scans your entire PC for corrupt system files. The process can take several minutes or more, depending on the size of your hard drive.[8]
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If the System
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To do so without any .LNK errors, follow these steps:[9]
- Press Windows key + R.
- If you’re using Windows 7, you’ll need to fix the registry manually.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- Click Yes.
- Press Windows key + R.
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Here’s an easy way to do this:
- Click the View menu and make sure «Address Bar» is selected. When this feature is on, you’ll see an address bar at the top or bottom of the Registry Editor that says «Computer.»
- Type or paste this key into the address bar: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk
- If that doesn’t work, you can navigate there manually—in the left panel, click HKEY_CURRENT_USER, click Software, click Microsoft, click Windows, click CurrentVersion, click Explorer, click FileExts, then click .lnk.
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If you see a key with this name beneath «.lnk» in the left panel, right-click it and select Delete. After that, reboot your PC—the problem should be resolved.
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Question
Are there any other ways to fix this?
Michael Thompson-Brown is a Cybersecurity Expert based in Portland, Maine. He is the owner and founder of PCRescue!, a company that provides cybersecurity and data management solutions to small businesses and individuals. Michael has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry and is a certified ethical hacker. He is passionate about helping clients protect their data and systems from malicious attacks and helping them optimize their online presence and reach. He received a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Tech Expert
Expert Answer
If you have tried everything, a last resort method to resolve the .lnk file extension problem on Windows is through a clean Windows install. First, back up all data to prevent data loss. Then, create installation media by obtaining the Windows setup from the official Microsoft website. Boot your PC from the installation media, format the hard drive, and proceed to install a fresh or clean copy of Windows. Finally, restore backed-up data to complete the process.
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If you still experience .lnk errors after trying these fixes, it’s best to reset your computer. You’ll have the opportunity to keep your personal files or start from scratch.
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