.lnk shortcut analysis
Read each shortcut’s target and check whether the path is still available.
Broken shortcut finder
Broken Shortcut Finder: clean links that no longer point to anything
Scan .lnk shortcuts for missing files, apps, or paths to help tidy up your Desktop and Start menu.
WindowsPortable.lnk filesWScript.Shell
The download opens in a new Google Drive tab.
What is Broken Shortcut Finder
Find shortcuts that became outdated after programs were moved or deleted
Windows may keep shortcuts after their target file has been deleted, moved, or uninstalled. Broken Shortcut Finder inspects .lnk files and checks whether their targets still exist.
Integration with WScript.Shell COM objects lets the tool read shortcut information and flag links whose original targets can no longer be found.
Architecture: A self-contained portable binary that integrates with Windows automation COM objects through WScript.Shell.
Key features
Features designed for a specific Windows task
Detection of dead links
Find shortcuts whose target file, app, or path no longer exists.
More orderly cleaning
Helps remove outdated icons and shortcuts from frequently used locations.
Run without installation
Runs as a standalone utility without installing additional components.
Use cases
When it can help Broken Shortcut Finder
Desktop
Find icons that still point to deleted programs or documents.
Start menu
Review old shortcuts that no longer open the associated app.
Organizational folders
Check shortcut collections used to launch frequently used tools or resources.
How to use it
A simple and direct flow
1
Select the location
Choose where to scan for .lnk shortcuts.
2
Scan the destinations
The app checks each shortcut’s target to see whether it still exists.
3
Review broken shortcuts
Confirm which outdated shortcuts you want to remove from your folder structure.
Guide and tips
Why do broken shortcuts appear in Windows?
Windows shortcuts store the location of a file, program, or resource. When that target moves or is deleted, the shortcut may remain on the Desktop, in the Start menu, or in a folder even though it can no longer open the original item.
This can happen after uninstalling programs, reorganizing documents, changing storage drives, or deleting old projects. Over time, shortcuts can accumulate that no longer point to a valid target.
Broken Shortcut Finder scans .lnk shortcut files to check whether their targets still exist. It uses WScript.Shell to read shortcut information and find shortcuts whose target paths no longer resolve.
A broken shortcut does not necessarily need to be deleted right away. First, check its location and confirm that its target is no longer needed. The tool identifies outdated shortcuts, while you decide which ones to remove.
Frequently asked questions
Everything essential before downloading
What does it consider a broken shortcut?
A .lnk shortcut whose target no longer exists or cannot be found at the specified path.
Does it scan actual files or just shortcuts?
It works with .lnk shortcuts and does not delete the files they point to.
Why do you use WScript.Shell?
This Windows COM object reads shortcut properties, including the target path.
Is it portable?
Yes. It is a standalone Windows executable.
You may also like
Related tools
UtiliTools Pro Desktop
Download Broken Shortcut Finder for Windows
A focused, portable utility designed to handle its task without unnecessary complexity.