The best way to open an LNK file on your Mac without any hassles is by using a third-party file converter. 7-Zip is a free program that can open LNK files easily for you. Once 7-Zip is installed, right-click on the LNK file you wish to open and select Open with > 7-zip. The contents of the LNK file will be extracted, and you can then view them.
There’s nothing worse than receiving an important file on your Mac and then not being able to open it. LNK files are Windows-based files, and because of this, LNK files are complicated to open on a Mac.
Don’t worry. There are ways to get around this. In the following article, I’ll explain all the ways you can open this Windows-based file, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on any important information.
What Are LNK Files And What Do They Do
LNK files are Windows Shortcut files that are used to create links to programs or other files on your computer. LNK files are a convenient way to create shortcuts to programs and files on your computer.
LNK files contain information about the object it’s pointing to, including type, location, and filename of that object. You can create a shortcut by right-clicking the target object and selecting Create Shortcut. (In newer versions of Windows, you must select Show More Options first.)
LNK files usually have the same icon as their target file, but with a small curled arrow to show that the shortcut directs you to another location.
You can open LNK files using the free Cmd-Opt-O shortcut if you have a Mac. This shortcut will open the file in the default program for Windows Shortcut files. If you don’t have a program installed that can open LNK files, I will be going through a list of options in this article.
Why You May Need To Open An LNK File
There are many reasons why you might need to open an LNK file on a Mac. For example, if you have a file that is only available on Windows, you can use an LNK file to create a shortcut to the file on your Mac. This can be helpful if you need to access the file often.
Another reason you might need to open an LNK file is if you receive an email with an LNK attachment. If the attachment is opened on a Windows computer, it will likely launch the program that is associated with the file type. However, if you try to open the same attachment on a Mac, it will not know what to do with the file. In this case, you can use an LNK file to open the attachment.
Tips For Working With LNK Files On A Mac
There are a few tips that you can keep in mind when working with LNK files on a Mac.
Make sure that you have the latest version of the program that you are using to open the file. This can help ensure that you are getting the most out of the program and that any bugs or glitches have been fixed.
Make sure that you know where the file is being saved. If you don’t know where the file is going, it can be hard to find it later on. You can change the default save location for most programs by going to the Preferences or Settings menu.
It’s always a good idea to back up your files. This can help protect your data in case something goes wrong with your computer or if you accidentally delete a file. You can back up your files using a program like iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
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How To Open LNK Files On A Mac
The best way to open an LNK file on a Mac is by using software that will do it for you. Here is a list of the best software you can find that will open LNK files.
7-Zip
7-zip is a file archiver known for compressing files. It’s also known for unpacking files, including LNK files, on your Mac.
You can download and install the free 7-Zip program. Once 7-Zip is installed, you can right-click on the LNK file and select
Open with > 7-Zip. This will extract the LNK file’s contents so you can view them.
7-Zip is one of the simplest ways to open an LNK file on your Mac
VMware
VMware Store is an emulator that will run any operating system on your Mac. This program allows you to run anything, all from one device.
For your purposes today, that means you can run a windows program that can open LNK files on your Mac.
VMware is not free, however. This program will set you back between $149 to $199 per year.
Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop is a program that lets you run different types of windows programs on your Mac. It’s basically like having both operating systems on one computer.
This can be helpful if you need to use a program that is only available on Windows. Or, in your case, using a program that will open up LNK files.
Parallels Desktop is not free. The cost of this program is $99.99 per year for the standard edition and $119.99 for the pro version.
Crossover
Crossover for Mac is not a Windows emulator. This program does the hard work of translating Windows commands into Mac-based commands. This will allow you to run any Windows software on your Mac as if it was built specifically for macOS.
So whatever your favorite software to open LNK files is, you will be able to run it on the Mac with Crossover.
After downloading Crossover, you will be up and running in minutes, and you won’t experience any software lag.
Crossover is available to download for your Mac for a one-time payment of $74.00.
Did you enjoy learning about how to open LNK files on your Mac? If you have any questions, please leave a comment.
Also, if you know anyone who needs to open an LNK file on their Mac, send them this article.