Share via

all programs changed to .lnk files

Anonymous
2011-04-04T17:30:50+00:00

I am running xp sp3.  something has changed all my program files to .lnk extension files.  I have run the exe and lnk fixes, but the programs are still in .lnk format.  When I try to re-load the program (ex: iTunes) it comes up as iTunes.lnk on the start menu.  I have run two different virus scans, with nothing found.  Please help.  I need my programs back.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2011-04-05T19:24:32+00:00

    Well, I stumbled onto the solution.  Something had removed my EXE application (?) file.  I went to My Computer, clicked tools>folder options>files types.   EXE was not in the list of registered file types.  I added EXE as "new", clicked "advanced" and checked "application" on the associated file type.  THAT FIXED IT!!!!!  All my desktop icons and all files in the "all progams" startup toolbar are back to normal.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

15 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2012-07-07T09:14:04+00:00

    thanks for the stumble mine were ink files i changed them all in to word files then i found your post and restored all back to normal thanks

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-04-05T16:02:45+00:00

    If I understand you correctly,

    • you ran the EXE and LNK file association fixes
    • you were able to run Norton and MSE (so those exe files were not changed to lnk), but they found no viruses
    • you downloaded the iTunes installer
    • you were able to successfully run the installer (so iTunesSetup.exe must not have changed to a lnk file)
    • after TunesSetup.exe ran, instead of, for example, iTunes.exe, you have iTunes.lnk.

    Is that correct?  Have all exe files changed back to lnk or only the newly-downloaded files related to iTunes?

    It sounds like, despite Norton and MSE, your computer is still infected.  I suggest checking for non-virus malware by scanning with MalwareBytes AntiMalware and SUPERAntiSpyware Portable  You may have to run the EXE and LNK file association fixes again to be able to run these scanners.

    If that doesn't help, I'm sorry, but I'm out of suggestions.

    As far as Safe Mode is concerned, if you have a Dell mini-netbook, the keyboard doesn't have separate function keys (such as F8), but should have a Fn key that you use in combination with the "home row" keys (asdfghjkl;) to get the function keys.  This should be similar for other mini-netbooks -- look closely at the keys and you should see F1 through F10 (probably in blue) on them.

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-04-05T07:05:47+00:00

    I used the Dougknox file, and the reg files did merge successfully.  I had to use the workaround to get to register editor.  What I meant with re-installing is that when I reinstalled iTunes, all the files that downloaded were converted to .lnk files after the installation, making the program unusable.  I used Norton 2011 and Microsoft Security Essentials to scan the computer for viruses, and found none. 

    The computer is a mini-netbook, with no f keys, so I do not know how to open the computer in safe mode. 

    Does this help clear up my problem?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-04-04T17:45:54+00:00

    I am running xp sp3.  something has changed all my program files to .lnk extension files.  I have run the exe and lnk fixes, but the programs are still in .lnk format.  When I try to re-load the program (ex: iTunes) it comes up as iTunes.lnk on the start menu.  I have run two different virus scans, with nothing found.  Please help.  I need my programs back.

    Were the exe and lnk fixes you used from http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm ?

    Did the reg files successfully merge (i.e., what happened when you tried to run the fixes)?  Did you use the suggested Task Manager work-around?

    I'm not sure what you mean by "it comes up as iTunes.lnk on the start menu."  Everything in in the "start menu" (i.e., Start > All Programs) is a shortcut (i.e., a *.lnk file).

    What applications did you use for your virus scans?

    0 comments