How to open a code or text file online
Three steps, a few seconds, no software.
Open your .LNK file
Drop it on the box, choose it from your device, or paste the text straight in.
View it instantly
Your .LNK file opens neatly formatted with line numbers.
Search, copy or download
Search the text, jump to any line, then copy what you need or download a clean copy.
What is a .LNK file?
Plain text that programs, servers and people write every day.
A .LNK file is a Windows File Shortcut developed by Microsoft for use as a system data file. These files contain configuration information that points to an original executable or folder located elsewhere on the system. They are typically opened or processed by Microsoft Windows, Parallels Desktop, and CrossOver.
Programs that open .LNK files
| Full name | Windows Shell Link (Shortcut) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Microsoft |
| First released | 1995 (Windows 95); binary format publicly documented since 2010 as MS-SHLLINK |
| Category | Tools |
| MIME type | application/x-ms-shortcut |
| Signature | 4C 00 00 00 01 14 02 00 00 00 00 00 C0 00 00 00 00 00 00 46 "L" + LinkCLSID 00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046 |
Related viewers
Every viewer is free to use.
Frequently asked questions
Is my .LNK file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read and highlighted for you.
Why do some characters look wrong (é, ł)?
That usually means the file was saved in one encoding and opened in another. We detect UTF-8, UTF-16 and the Windows-1250/1252 code pages automatically and show which one was used.
Can it handle huge log files?
Yes, up to 50 MB. Only the lines on screen are drawn, so scrolling stays smooth. Syntax colours are switched off for files over 1.5 MB to keep things fast.
How do the log level filters work?
We find levels like ERROR, WARN, INFO and DEBUG on each line. Lines without a level, such as stack traces, stay with the entry above them, so filtering to errors keeps the full trace.
Can I edit the file?
This is a viewer. To change code, download it or copy it into your editor. Converting encodings and line endings is planned.
Was this tool helpful?
Your rating helps us decide which tools to improve next.