---
title: ".lnk file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .lnk file is a Windows Shortcut. A pointer to a file or program somewhere else — it contains none of the content. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/lnk/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .lnk files

**.lnk file: Windows Shortcut**

A pointer to a file or program somewhere else — it contains none of the content.

## What opens a .lnk file

- **Windows:** Windows (built in — double-click follows the target), Right-click > Properties to see the target
- **macOS:** Not usable — Windows shortcuts do not work on macOS
- **Linux:** Not usable — Windows shortcuts do not work on Linux

## What a .lnk file is

LNK files are the shortcuts on your Windows desktop and Start menu; they store a path plus an icon and working directory. Copying one to a USB stick copies the pointer, not the file, which is the classic reason a shortcut "opens nothing" on another computer. A shortcut can also launch arbitrary commands, so an .lnk arriving as an email attachment is a known malware technique. On macOS and Linux the file is inert.

## Details

- **Extension:** .lnk
- **Full name:** Windows Shortcut
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** application/x-ms-shortcut
- **Created by:** Microsoft
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .lnk file?

On Windows use Windows (built in — double-click follows the target); on macOS use Not usable — Windows shortcuts do not work on macOS; on Linux use Not usable — Windows shortcuts do not work on Linux. A pointer to a file or program somewhere else — it contains none of the content.

### What is a .lnk file?

Windows Shortcut. LNK files are the shortcuts on your Windows desktop and Start menu; they store a path plus an icon and working directory. Copying one to a USB stick copies the pointer, not the file, which is the classic reason a shortcut "opens nothing" on another computer.

## Related pages

- [.csv — Comma-Separated Values](https://atoneplace.net/file/csv/)
- [.json — JavaScript Object Notation](https://atoneplace.net/file/json/)
- [.xml — Extensible Markup Language](https://atoneplace.net/file/xml/)
- [.yaml — YAML Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/yaml/)
- [.log — Log File](https://atoneplace.net/file/log/)
- [.torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File](https://atoneplace.net/file/torrent/)
- [.dat — Generic Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/dat/)
- [.vcf — vCard Contact File](https://atoneplace.net/file/vcf/)
- [.sql — SQL Script](https://atoneplace.net/file/sql/)
- [.ics — iCalendar Event](https://atoneplace.net/file/ics/)
- [.sqlite — SQLite Database](https://atoneplace.net/file/sqlite/)
- [.db — Generic Database File](https://atoneplace.net/file/db/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)