shortcutremover

Free Shortcut Virus Remover

USB files turned into shortcuts? Check your drive, see what each shortcut opens and decide what to remove. Shortcut Remover helps you get back to your files.

  • Quick and full USB scans
  • See suspicious shortcut targets
  • Quarantine files with a restore option
  • Show hidden files again
  • Optional Microsoft Defender check
  • Local scanning. No account needed.
Download Free for Windows

Check one .LNK file online

Free download · Windows 10 & 11 · Version 8.0.1

64-bit Windows. Works offline. Your files stay on your computer.

Shortcut Remover full scan results on Windows
A full scan shows the files checked, findings and any access errors.

Check your USB drive in 3 steps

You choose the drive. You review the results. You stay in control.

1. Select

Connect your USB drive and choose its drive letter, or select a folder.

2. Scan

Run a full scan for complete coverage, or a quick scan for common locations.

3. Review

Read the findings and quarantine selected files. Restore an item if needed.

Free online tool

Check a shortcut before you open it

Choose a Windows .LNK file to inspect its target, arguments and common risk patterns. The file stays in your browser; nothing is uploaded or executed.

Open the .LNK checker

A pattern check cannot prove a file is safe. Scan suspicious files with your antivirus.

  1. Choose a shortcut

    Select one .LNK file, or paste its target and arguments.

  2. Read the findings

    Review the destination, command arguments and detected patterns.

  3. Check the whole drive

    Use Shortcut Remover for USB scanning, quarantine and hidden-file repair.

The tools you need for shortcut-virus cleanup

See what was found before changing anything on your drive.

Shortcut Remover scan dashboard on Windows

Check the whole drive, or start with a quick scan

A full scan checks accessible folders and reports the files inspected. A quick scan checks the drive root and its first folder level. Access errors and incomplete scans are shown in the results.

Your files stay on your computer

Scanning is local. There is no account to create and no upload step. Review findings before you choose quarantine or file-visibility repair.

No file uploads

The app checks files on the drive or folder you select.

A restore option

Quarantine keeps a verified copy of selected files.

A download you can check

The release has a public checksum and testing details.

See the testing details

Download Shortcut Remover for free

One installer for 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11. Requires .NET Framework 4.8 or later installed in Windows; no runtime is bundled.

Windows

Latest version — 8.0.1 · Installer size: 2.69 MiB

Download Free for Windows

Installer and application digitally signed by Beijing Qingruan Chuangxiang Technology Co., Ltd.

System requirements

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • 64-bit (x64) PC
  • .NET Framework 4.8 or later installed in Windows
  • A local folder or connected USB drive to scan

What's in version 8.0.1

  • Hidden-file and folder visibility repair, with undo.
  • Clear quarantine status when a USB drive is offline.
  • Light and Dark themes; first launch defaults to English and Light.
  • A smaller download using .NET Framework 4.8, without a bundled runtime.
Checksum & release details

Installer SHA-256B712AEAD4D63FF232F6694E5EC8AA65B08923AD73C548DB0465198026BA03A18

8.0.1-framework48-rk3024-20261014 · 2,819,920 bytes · .NET Framework 4.8+

Download checksum file · Read the release notes · All download information

Start with the problem on your drive

Practical help for USB shortcuts, hidden files and ordinary broken links.

Browse all guides

Questions about Shortcut Remover

How do I install Shortcut Remover?

Download the Windows installer and follow the setup steps. You need .NET Framework 4.8 or later installed in Windows. Keep your antivirus enabled. Setup may offer the optional RelevantKnowledge research software with a separate Agree/Decline choice. Declining does not affect installation or use of Shortcut Remover.

Which Windows versions are supported?

Shortcut Remover 8.0.1 supports 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is not a Mac, Linux or mobile app.

Can I scan a USB drive without an internet connection?

Yes. The app scans files locally and works offline. Scanned files are not uploaded. Opening website links requires an internet connection.

Does every .lnk file mean there is a virus?

No. Windows uses .lnk files for normal shortcuts. Review the target, arguments and surrounding files before deciding that a shortcut is suspicious.

Can I restore a file from quarantine?

Yes. Select an item in Quarantine and restore it after reviewing it. The app verifies its stored copy. Restore & allow also creates an exact path and file-hash exception for a trusted file.

Can it recover deleted files?

No. Visibility repair clears hidden or system attributes on files that still exist. It cannot recreate deleted, overwritten, corrupted or encrypted files.

Does it replace my antivirus?

No. Shortcut Remover focuses on suspicious shortcut behavior and related USB damage. Keep Windows Security or another antivirus active. Optional Defender verification is available when Microsoft Defender can perform the requested scan.

Do scheduled scans remove files automatically?

No. Daily or weekly scheduled scans inspect files and add results to Scan history. Quarantine and repair are separate actions that you choose.

Ready to check your USB drive?

Download Shortcut Remover, choose the drive and review the results.

Download Free for Windows