Ok, I'm using Windows XP 64-bit and it recently crashed, and now all my executables files have become .LNK files and I can't open anything.  All the desktop shortcuts and start menu links have become this except (strangely enough) the Firefox link that's pinned at the top of the start menu list.  Even all other links (program files/firefox/firefox.exe, desktop link and quick launch link) doesn't work.  When I try to run any applications, windows does not recognize these .LNK files and I get the "Windows cannot open this file" dialog with the 2 options of using web service or choose from list.  Also, using explorer and going to the direct location of the .exe file and trying to run it doesn't work either, Windows doesn't recognize .exe and get the "Windows cannot..." dialog also.  What gives?

I also tried to open the registry but I can't even do that.  I go to start->run and typed "regedit" and  I get that same dialog that Windows cannot open regedit.exe.

Is there anyway I can fix this?  Thanks for any help.R0c4.......   Have you tried to boot up in safe mode ?  If you can run your AV and your trojan scanner ......... that could be the cause .


A shortcut file is a pointer to an .EXE file somewhere on your system. When you click on the shortcut it's like clicking on the .EXE file and the associated program should start and run. Sometimes .LNK files will stop working. This can be because the underlying .EXE association has been broken by something (often by some form of anti-malware program improperly changing the registry) or the association in the registry can be come corrupted. See the FAQs for the .EXE problem. The other problem generally asserts itself when all shortcuts seem to open the same program. You may be able to fix this by opening the registry editor and looking in the key entry [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk] where you might see ="lnk_auto_file". If you see that, change the value to ="lnkfile" and all should work again after a system restart. Note: This file type can become infected and should be carefully scanned if SOMEONE sends you a file with this extension.


dl65  Thanks for the reply.  My first reaction was to run my anti-virus, but the problem was, I couldn't run any PROGRAMS.  I couldn't even open my registry or command prompt.  The only things I could use was Firefox, explorer, and notepad/wordpad really.

ANYWAYS after browsing the web trying to find possible fixes, I came across this site:
http://filext.com/info/showthread.php?t=12

This pretty much solved my problem.

By opening a Windows Explorer, then going to Tools->Folder Options
Then to the File TYPES tab and clicking on the New button
And ADDED the EXE file extention with an associated file type of Applications

This then allowed me to run my applications again.  The .LNK was also solved this way by adding the LNK file extention with an associated file type of Shortcuts.

So after doing this and booted up my F-Secure Ad-Monitor, it detected many registry deletions, and since it keeps a backup, the deletions were undone and everything seems to working normally now.

Thanks anyways, I guess I didn't needed to make this topic after all, but I was somewhat panicking earlier. Thanks for posting back anyway. It may help others!  I experienced something similar and had to reformat to solve the problem.