Forums
New posts
Search forums
News
Security News
Technology News
Giveaways
Giveaways, Promotions and Contests
Discounts & Deals
Reviews
Users Reviews
Video Reviews
Support
Windows Malware Removal Help & Support
Mac Malware Removal Help & Support
Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support
Blog
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
Reply to thread
Menu
Install the app
Install
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
Security
Guides - Privacy & Security Tips
How to fix .LNK file association error
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Jack" data-source="post: 78601" data-attributes="member: 1"><p>Upgrading your operating system,installing or removing drivers and some forms of malware can mess up your file extension association resulting in all your programs having a .lnk extension.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/nFCzW.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>At this point,when you want to start any program from the Start menu or shortcuts nothing happens or in some cases Windows will ask you with what program would you like to use to open the .lnk file.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><strong>STEP 1: Restore .LNK file association settings in Windows registry</strong></span></p><p>Your machine does not recognize the .exe extension because of an error in your Windows Registry,to fix this issue,we can run any of the below steps to fix it.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>OPTION 1: Restore .lnk default behavior</strong></span></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Download and run the following registry fix</strong> to restore the default behavior for .lnk extension.<br /> <em>Restore default .LNK behavior for Windows XP users:</em><br /> <strong><a href="http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/linkfile_fix.zip" target="_blank">.LNK REGISTRY FIX FOR WINDOWS XP</a></strong> (This link will automatically download the registry fix for Windows XP users)<br /> <em>Restore default .LNK behavior for Windows Vista and 7 users:</em><br /> <strong><a href="http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/159134d1312706820-default-file-type-associations-restore-default_lnk_-shortcut-.reg" target="_blank">.LNK REGISTRY FIX FOR WINDOWS 7 and VISTA</a></strong> (This link will automatically download the registry fix for Windows Vista and 7 users)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Double-click on the downloaded file and allow the prompt from the Registry Editor.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Restart your machine .</li> </ol><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>OPTION 2: Remove the unwanted registry change</strong></span></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Click Start Menu, and then type <em>regedit</em> in the Start Search and press ENTER.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Browse to the following registry branch:<br /> <em>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk</em></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Click on the arrow to expand it and delete the sub-key named UserChoice.<br /> <a href="http://malwaretips.com/attachment.php?aid=2510" target="_blank"><img src="http://malwaretips.com/attachment.php?thumbnail=2510" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Exit from Registry Editor and reboot your machine.</li> </ol><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>OPTION 3: Run <em>Repair .lnk (Shortcuts) File Association</em>utility</strong></span></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Download <em>Repair .lnk (Shortcuts) File Association</em> utility from the below link<br /> <strong><a href="http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/tweaking_com_repair_lnk_(shortcuts)_file_association.html" target="_blank">Repair .lnk (Shortcuts) File Association DOWNLOAD LINK</a></strong> <em>(This link will open a new web page from where you can download Repair .lnk (Shortcuts) File Association)</em></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Double click on the previously downloaded file, then click on the <strong>Start</strong> button.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/reapir-lnk.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> </ol><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>OPTION 4: Restore your system to an earlier state</strong></span></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Open System Restore by clicking the Start button <img src="http://res2.windows.microsoft.com/resbox/en/Windows%207/main/4f6cbd09-148c-4dd8-b1f2-48f232a2fd33_818.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> .</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">In the search box, type System Restore, and then, in the list of results, click System Restore.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Follow the steps in the wizard to choose a restore point and restore your computer to an earlier state.<br /> <a href="http://malwaretips.com/attachment.php?aid=2511" target="_blank"><img src="http://malwaretips.com/attachment.php?thumbnail=2511" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></li> </ol><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>STEP 2: Scan your computer for malware</strong></span></p><p>Some forms of malware are known to change Windows file association settings,we strongly recommend that you scan your machine with the below software:</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>STEP 1: Run a system scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE</strong></span></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Download the latest official version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE</strong>.<br /> <a href="https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/cookie?affiliate=17877&redirectto=http%3a%2f%2fwww.malwarebytes.org%2fproducts%2fmalwarebytes_free" target="_blank"><strong>MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK</strong></a> <em>(This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free)</em></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Start the Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware installation process by <strong>double clicking on mbam-setup</strong> file.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/malwarebytes-setup.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">When the installation begins, <strong>keep following the prompts</strong> in order to continue with the setup process. <strong>Do not make any changes to default settings</strong> and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the <strong>Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware</strong>and <strong>Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware</strong> checked. Then click on the <strong>Finish </strong>button. If Malwarebytes’ prompts you to reboot, please do not do so.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/update-malwarebytes.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start and you’ll be prompted to start a trial period , please select ‘<strong>Decline</strong>‘ as we just want to use the on-demand scanner.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/malwarebytes-trial.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">On the <strong>Scanner</strong> tab,select <strong>Perform quick scan</strong> and then click on the <strong>Scan </strong>button to start scanning your computer.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/start-scan-malwarebytes.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for malicious files as shown below.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/scan-malwarebytes.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">When the scan is finished a message box will appear, click <strong>OK </strong>to continue.<img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/results-malwarebytes.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected.Please note that the infections found may be different from what is shown in the image.Make sure that everything is <strong>Checked (ticked)</strong> and click on the <strong>Remove Selected </strong>button.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/detection-malwarebytes.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start removing the malicious files.After completing this task it will display a message stating that it needs to reboot,please allow this request and then let your machine boot in Normal mode.</li> </ol><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>STEP 2: Run a system scan with HitmanPro</strong></span></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">This step can be performed in <strong>Normal Mode</strong> ,so please <strong>download the latest official version of HitmanPro</strong>.<br /> <a href="https://www.cleverbridge.com/747/cookie?affiliate=17877&redirectto=http://www.surfright.com/downloads" target="_blank"><strong>HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK</strong></a> <em>(This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download HitmanPro)</em></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Double click on the previously downloaded file</strong>to start the HitmanPro installation.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hpro1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /><br /> <strong>IF</strong> you are experiencing problems while trying to start HitmanPro, you can use the <em>Force Breach</em> mode.To start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode,<strong> hold down the left CTRL-key when you start HitmanPro</strong> and all non-essential processes are terminated, including the malware process. (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=m6eRWTv2STk" target="_blank">How to start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode – Video</a>)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Click on <strong>Next </strong>to install HitmanPro on your system.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-start.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The setup screen is displayed, from which you can decide whether you wish to install HitmanPro on your machine or just perform a one-time scan, select an option then click on<strong>Next </strong>to start a system scan.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-installation.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">HitmanPro will start scanning your system for malicious files as seen in the image below.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-scan.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Once the scan is complete,you’ll see a screen which will display all the malicious files that the program has found.Click on <strong>Next</strong> to remove this malicious files.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-results.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Click <strong>Activate free license </strong>to start the free 30 days trial and remove the malicious files.<br /> <img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-activation.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">HitmanPro will now start removing the infected objects.If this program will ask you to restart your computer,please allow this request.</li> </ol></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jack, post: 78601, member: 1"] Upgrading your operating system,installing or removing drivers and some forms of malware can mess up your file extension association resulting in all your programs having a .lnk extension. [CENTER][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/nFCzW.png[/IMG][/CENTER] At this point,when you want to start any program from the Start menu or shortcuts nothing happens or in some cases Windows will ask you with what program would you like to use to open the .lnk file. [SIZE=5][B]STEP 1: Restore .LNK file association settings in Windows registry[/B][/SIZE] Your machine does not recognize the .exe extension because of an error in your Windows Registry,to fix this issue,we can run any of the below steps to fix it. [SIZE=4][B]OPTION 1: Restore .lnk default behavior[/B][/SIZE] [LIST=1] [*][B]Download and run the following registry fix[/B] to restore the default behavior for .lnk extension. [I]Restore default .LNK behavior for Windows XP users:[/I] [B][URL='http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/linkfile_fix.zip'].LNK REGISTRY FIX FOR WINDOWS XP[/URL][/B] (This link will automatically download the registry fix for Windows XP users) [I]Restore default .LNK behavior for Windows Vista and 7 users:[/I] [B][URL='http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/159134d1312706820-default-file-type-associations-restore-default_lnk_-shortcut-.reg'].LNK REGISTRY FIX FOR WINDOWS 7 and VISTA[/URL][/B] (This link will automatically download the registry fix for Windows Vista and 7 users) [*]Double-click on the downloaded file and allow the prompt from the Registry Editor. [*]Restart your machine . [/LIST] [SIZE=4][B]OPTION 2: Remove the unwanted registry change[/B][/SIZE] [LIST=1] [*]Click Start Menu, and then type [I]regedit[/I] in the Start Search and press ENTER. [*]Browse to the following registry branch: [I]HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.lnk[/I] [*]Click on the arrow to expand it and delete the sub-key named UserChoice. [URL='http://malwaretips.com/attachment.php?aid=2510'][IMG]http://malwaretips.com/attachment.php?thumbnail=2510[/IMG][/URL] [*]Exit from Registry Editor and reboot your machine. [/LIST] [SIZE=4][B]OPTION 3: Run [I]Repair .lnk (Shortcuts) File Association[/I]utility[/B][/SIZE] [LIST=1] [*]Download [I]Repair .lnk (Shortcuts) File Association[/I] utility from the below link [B][URL='http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/tweaking_com_repair_lnk_(shortcuts)_file_association.html']Repair .lnk (Shortcuts) File Association DOWNLOAD LINK[/URL][/B] [I](This link will open a new web page from where you can download Repair .lnk (Shortcuts) File Association)[/I] [*]Double click on the previously downloaded file, then click on the [B]Start[/B] button. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/reapir-lnk.jpg[/IMG] [/LIST] [SIZE=4][B]OPTION 4: Restore your system to an earlier state[/B][/SIZE] [LIST=1] [*]Open System Restore by clicking the Start button [IMG]http://res2.windows.microsoft.com/resbox/en/Windows%207/main/4f6cbd09-148c-4dd8-b1f2-48f232a2fd33_818.jpg[/IMG] . [*]In the search box, type System Restore, and then, in the list of results, click System Restore. [*]Follow the steps in the wizard to choose a restore point and restore your computer to an earlier state. [URL='http://malwaretips.com/attachment.php?aid=2511'][IMG]http://malwaretips.com/attachment.php?thumbnail=2511[/IMG][/URL] [/LIST] [SIZE=4][B]STEP 2: Scan your computer for malware[/B][/SIZE] Some forms of malware are known to change Windows file association settings,we strongly recommend that you scan your machine with the below software: [SIZE=4][B]STEP 1: Run a system scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE[/B][/SIZE] [LIST=1] [*][B]Download the latest official version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE[/B]. [URL='https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/cookie?affiliate=17877&redirectto=http%3a%2f%2fwww.malwarebytes.org%2fproducts%2fmalwarebytes_free'][B]MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK[/B][/URL] [I](This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free)[/I] [*]Start the Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware installation process by [B]double clicking on mbam-setup[/B] file. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/malwarebytes-setup.png[/IMG] [*]When the installation begins, [B]keep following the prompts[/B] in order to continue with the setup process. [B]Do not make any changes to default settings[/B] and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the [B]Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware[/B]and [B]Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware[/B] checked. Then click on the [B]Finish [/B]button. If Malwarebytes’ prompts you to reboot, please do not do so. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/update-malwarebytes.png[/IMG] [*]Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start and you’ll be prompted to start a trial period , please select ‘[B]Decline[/B]‘ as we just want to use the on-demand scanner. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/malwarebytes-trial.png[/IMG] [*]On the [B]Scanner[/B] tab,select [B]Perform quick scan[/B] and then click on the [B]Scan [/B]button to start scanning your computer. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/start-scan-malwarebytes.png[/IMG] [*]Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for malicious files as shown below. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/scan-malwarebytes.png[/IMG] [*]When the scan is finished a message box will appear, click [B]OK [/B]to continue.[IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/results-malwarebytes.png[/IMG] [*]You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected.Please note that the infections found may be different from what is shown in the image.Make sure that everything is [B]Checked (ticked)[/B] and click on the [B]Remove Selected [/B]button. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/detection-malwarebytes.png[/IMG] [*]Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start removing the malicious files.After completing this task it will display a message stating that it needs to reboot,please allow this request and then let your machine boot in Normal mode. [/LIST] [SIZE=4][B]STEP 2: Run a system scan with HitmanPro[/B][/SIZE] [LIST=1] [*]This step can be performed in [B]Normal Mode[/B] ,so please [B]download the latest official version of HitmanPro[/B]. [URL='https://www.cleverbridge.com/747/cookie?affiliate=17877&redirectto=http://www.surfright.com/downloads'][B]HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK[/B][/URL] [I](This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download HitmanPro)[/I] [*][B]Double click on the previously downloaded file[/B]to start the HitmanPro installation. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hpro1.png[/IMG] [B]IF[/B] you are experiencing problems while trying to start HitmanPro, you can use the [I]Force Breach[/I] mode.To start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode,[B] hold down the left CTRL-key when you start HitmanPro[/B] and all non-essential processes are terminated, including the malware process. ([URL='http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=m6eRWTv2STk']How to start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode – Video[/URL]) [*]Click on [B]Next [/B]to install HitmanPro on your system. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-start.png[/IMG] [*]The setup screen is displayed, from which you can decide whether you wish to install HitmanPro on your machine or just perform a one-time scan, select an option then click on[B]Next [/B]to start a system scan. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-installation.png[/IMG] [*]HitmanPro will start scanning your system for malicious files as seen in the image below. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-scan.png[/IMG] [*]Once the scan is complete,you’ll see a screen which will display all the malicious files that the program has found.Click on [B]Next[/B] to remove this malicious files. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-results.png[/IMG] [*]Click [B]Activate free license [/B]to start the free 30 days trial and remove the malicious files. [IMG]http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hitmanpro36-activation.png[/IMG] [*]HitmanPro will now start removing the infected objects.If this program will ask you to restart your computer,please allow this request. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Top