Fix *.lnk program shortcuts in Windows

It might happen to anyone: program shortcuts start suddenly opening as Microsoft Word Documents or as other programs and you don’t have any clue how to fix it.

Worry not! Here is a tiny guide, how to fix it.

First you have to open the registry editor to change some entries:

As soon as you have opened the registry editor you have to navigate to the following entry:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER
  • Software
    • Microsoft
      • Windows
        • CurrentVersion
          • Explorer
            • FileExts
              • lnk

Arrived there, delete all keys except for “OpenWithProgids”.
This should ultimately delete all custom made preferences and reset your *.lnk shortcuts to default settings.

Enjoy, comrade!