Cannot Rename File with .lnk Extension

ID: Q162905

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows CE version 1.0

SYMPTOMS

If you rename a file so that it has an .lnk extension, you cannot remove or change the .lnk extension, and you may not be able to open the file.

CAUSE

When you rename a file's extension to .lnk, the file is associated as a shortcut file. Windows CE does not display the .lnk extension for shortcut files, and you cannot rename an .lnk extension in Windows CE.

RESOLUTION

To rename a file with an .lnk extension, follow these steps:

1. Move the file from your Handheld PC (H/PC) to the Windows folder on

   your desktop computer using H/PC Explorer.

2. Rename the file on your desktop computer using an extension other

   than .lnk. To do so, type the following lines at a command prompt,
   pressing ENTER after each line:

      cd \windows
      ren <filename>.lnk <filename>.<new extension>

3. Move the file back to your H/PC using H/PC Explorer.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

After you change the file's extension to .lnk, the extension is not displayed even if you disable the Hide File Extensions setting in the Options dialog box in My Handheld PC. If you press ALT and tap the file and then tap Properties, the General tab in the Properties dialog box reports the file type as Shortcut. However, there is no Shortcut tab.

Additional query words: hand held

Keywords          : kbui wince handheld 
Version           : 1.00
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: April 29, 1998