Shortcuts in Windows Change to .lnk Files
by admin on Sep.07, 2009, under Information Technology
If you have had this happen as the result of a Virus or accidental association you can probably repair it by following these instructions. You may need to modify your registry.
I recommend that you create a system restore point and backup your registry before you do these things. Microsoft has an Instructional Page here that will guide you through this process.
First, try this: Since your shortcuts are not working, open the start menu and type explorer in the search box. This should start Windows Explorer. Navigate to the Windows\System32 folder and find cmd.exe. Depending on your system, you may need to right click it and choose “Run as Administrator”. Once the command window is up, type assoc.lnk=lnkfile and press enter. If you are lucky, that will restore your shortcuts and icons to the normal state for you.
If your icons are still not working and have .lnk extensions, open the start menu again and type regedit in the search box. In the Registry Editor navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Micorosoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk. If there are subfolders underneath the.lnk entry delete them. Then run the assoc.lnk=lnkfile from the commad prompt again if you don’t see your shortcuts changing right away.
Hope this helps somene out there who is pulling their hair out like I was.
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