Shortcut and settings file formats

Small files the operating system uses to point at other files and to remember settings. A shortcut stores where its target lives and how to open it. A settings file stores the preferences of a program or of the system itself.

Formats

.DESKTOP

Linux desktop entry

A Linux application launcher: name, icon and command in INI-style text.

.JSON

Visual Studio Code settings

VS Code’s settings.json: dotted setting IDs in JSON with comments.

.LNK

Windows shortcut

A Windows shortcut: a header, the target’s location, strings and extra data.

.PLIST

Apple property list

Apple’s settings files: a tree of values saved as XML or as binary.

.REG

Windows Registry export

Registry keys and values as text, ready to merge back into Windows.

.URL

Windows Internet shortcut

A Windows shortcut to a web page: an INI-style section with the address.

.WEBLOC

macOS website location

A Mac shortcut to a web page: a property list with one URL key.