Convert LNK to MP4

Understanding LNK and MP4 file formats

LNK files are Windows shortcut files that point to another file or application on your computer. They do not contain actual data from the target file, but rather a reference to its location. MP4 files, on the other hand, are multimedia container formats used for storing video, audio, and subtitles. MP4 is widely supported across devices and platforms for video playback.

Can you convert LNK to MP4?

Direct conversion from LNK to MP4 is not possible because a LNK file does not contain any video or audio data. It is simply a shortcut. To obtain an MP4 file, you must first locate the original video file that the LNK shortcut points to. Once you have the actual video file, you can convert it to MP4 if it is in a different format.

How to find the original file from a LNK shortcut

1. Right-click the LNK file and select Properties.
2. In the Shortcut tab, look for the Target field. This shows the path to the original file.
3. Navigate to this location on your computer to access the actual video file.

Converting the original video file to MP4

Once you have the original video file, you can use a video converter to change its format to MP4. One of the best free tools for this purpose is HandBrake.

Using HandBrake to convert to MP4

1. Download and install HandBrake.
2. Open HandBrake and click File to select your original video file.
3. Choose MP4 as the output format.
4. Click Start Encode to begin the conversion.

Summary

It is not possible to convert a LNK shortcut directly to MP4. You must first locate the original video file referenced by the LNK, then use a video converter like HandBrake to convert it to MP4 format.