Since I started using Voidtools - Everything, I've noticed that every time I access a file, Windows creates a .lnk file of the same name

Then if I rename or delete said file, the old .lnk file remains
And it seems the the total number of lnk files in store date back to about when I started using Everything

Googling lnk file shows it either a virus or a function of the Windows file lookup

Is this also a function of Everything, a setting ?

 

To exclude lnk files from your index:

- In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
- Click the Exclude tab on the left.
- Check Enable exclude list.
- Change Exclude files to: *.lnk
- Click OK.

Source: www.voidtools.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6067

 

Thanx PulseWave

I had already stumbled my way to your steps but the solution doesn't work for me
- I think it might be because I use a Portable version... a bug maybe ?
-- I'll try the other tips in your link.

It looks to me that Win is generating extra files as pointers to needed files... eg. SimLinks
Is there a way to prevent Win generating / relying on them in the first place ?

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2026 at 9:34 AM

Windows 11? Do you still have OneDrive installed? If you don't need it, you can uninstall it.
Could you double-check the complete, correct file names? Is it a Microsoft Excel / Office etc. file?


How to Disable Windows Ink Workspace Windows 10 & 11 (Regedit)

How to Disable Windows Ink Workspace Windows 10 & 11 (Regedit)
In this quick tutorial video we'll show you how to disable windows ink workspace on windows 10 and windows 11 using the registry editor. If you've been wondering how to disable windows ink workspace without gpedit.msc, the step-by-step instructions in this video is for you!

Instructions:
1. Press `Windows Key + R` to open Regedit.
2. Navigate to
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsInkWorkspace
(If you don't have the key, create it as shown in the video)
3. Right-Click and select "New DWORD 32bit Value and name it `AllowWindowsInkWorkspace`.
4. Double click the new value and change the data to 0.
5. Close Regedit & Restart PC.

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2026 at 9:23 AM

It looks like it's a function of Windows 7/8/10/11 not Everything.
I use Everything [Portable] too and love it compared to Windows Index/Search [which I disable].
LNK files are a gold mine for investigators trying to find files that may no longer exist on the disk/system they are examining. These files may have been deleted, or located on a network share or external USB drive, and are no longer accessible, LNK files associated with the original file won’t be deleted and reveal information as to their existence.
Remember also they are shortcuts you may of created to Programs etc.
This is very interesting with a link to LECmd(dot)exe Tool:

Spoiler: Forensics Analysis - LNK Files:

https://g4rud4.gitlab.io/2025/Forensics-Analysis-LNK-Files/

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2026 at 11:58 AM

If you're seeing .lnk files for something that you've not created a shortcut for (as .lnk files are just shortcuts), then most likely it's Windows adding an entry to "Recent Files" when you open it.

Have a look in %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\ and have a look at the properties for those files, that oughta explain the whole mess.

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2026 at 1:08 PM