Access Windows shortcuts (.lnk) data on Node

Question

Is there any way I can parse shortcut data from .lnk files in Node (for instance, and mainly, the path it's pointing at)?

Answer 1

If you're using Electron, it has a built-in method:

https://www.electronjs.org/docs/api/shell#shellreadshortcutlinkshortcutpath-windows

import { shell } from 'electron';

const parsed = shell.readShortcutLink(shortcutPath);

• target String - The target to launch from this shortcut.
• cwd String (optional) - The working directory. Default is empty.
• args String (optional) - The arguments to be applied to target when launching from this shortcut. Default is empty.
• description String (optional) - The description of the shortcut. Default is empty.
• icon String (optional) - The path to the icon, can be a DLL or EXE. icon and iconIndex have to be set together. Default is empty, which uses the target's icon.
• iconIndex Number (optional) - The resource ID of icon when icon is a DLL or EXE. Default is 0.
• appUserModelId String (optional) - The Application User Model ID. Default is empty.