.URL File Recovery

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .URL file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

URL File Recovery

What is a .URL file?

A URL file is a shortcut file referenced by web browsers, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE), Apple Safari, and Google Chrome. It contains a web URL and may also store a reference to the favicon.ico

What Are Common Causes of ".URL" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".URL" files being lost or failing:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may inadvertently delete ".URL" files while organizing or cleaning up their files and folders.
  2. File system corruption: Issues with the file system, such as disk errors or malware infections, can lead to the loss or corruption of ".URL" files.
  3. Software or system crashes: Unexpected crashes of software applications or the operating system can result in the loss of ".URL" files that were open or being accessed at the time.
  4. Hardware failure: Hard drive failures or other hardware issues can cause the loss of ".URL" files stored on the affected drives.
  5. File transfer errors: When transferring ".URL" files between devices or over networks, errors or interruptions in the transfer process can lead to file loss or corruption.
  6. Formatting or reinstallation: Formatting a storage device or reinstalling the operating system without proper backup can result in the loss of all data, including ".URL" files.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidentally moving or renaming ".URL" files, can lead to their loss or failure.
  8. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage ".URL" files, rendering them unusable or causing their loss.

It is important to regularly back up important ".URL" files to prevent loss and to use reliable antivirus software to protect against malware attacks.

How to recover lost ".URL" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".URL" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".URL" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".URL" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".URL" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".URL" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".URL" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo internet Shortcut image file file?

Programs that open ".URL" files

Windows
Microsoft internet Explorer Microsoft internet Explorer
Google Chrome Google Chrome
Apple Safari Apple Safari
Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Notepad Microsoft Notepad
Other <a href=text editor"> Other text editor
Mac
Microsoft internet Explorer Microsoft internet Explorer
Google Chrome Google Chrome
Apple Safari Apple Safari
Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox
Apple TextEdit Apple TextEdit
Other <a href=text editor"> Other text editor
Android
Zapek Software Engineering stuntzurl Zapek Software Engineering stuntzurl

Additional Information

  • File type: Internet Shortcut

  • File extension: .URL

  • Developer: N/A

  • Category: Web Files

  • Format: Text

  • HEX: 5B

  • ASCII: [

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:51 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .URL files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What is ".URL repair" and why is it important?

    ".URL repair" refers to the process of fixing or restoring the functionality of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that has become broken or corrupted. A URL is a web address that specifies the location of a resource on the internet.

    URLs can become broken or corrupted due to various reasons such as changes in website structure, incorrect formatting, or server issues. When a URL is broken, it means that the link does not lead to the intended destination or fails to load the desired webpage.

    URL repair is important for several reasons:

    1. User experience: Broken URLs can frustrate website visitors who are unable to access the desired content. By repairing broken URLs, website owners can ensure a smooth and seamless user experience.
    2. SEO optimization: Broken URLs can negatively impact a website's search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Search engines like Google consider broken links as a sign of poor website quality, which can lead to lower search rankings. Repairing broken URLs helps maintain a healthy website structure and improves SEO performance.
    3. Navigation and usability: URLs are an essential part of website navigation. Broken URLs can disrupt the logical flow of a website, making it difficult for users to navigate and find the information they are looking for. Repairing broken URLs ensures that users can easily navigate through a website and access the desired content.
    4. Link integrity: Websites often contain internal and external links. Broken URLs can break the link integrity, leading to a poor user experience and affecting the credibility of a website. Repairing broken URLs helps maintain the integrity of links, ensuring that users can trust the information provided on the website.

    Overall, URL repair is important for maintaining a functional and user-friendly website, improving SEO performance, and providing a positive browsing experience for visitors.

  • What are the common issues or errors that can occur with .URL files?

    Some common issues or errors that can occur with .URL files include:

    1. File corruption: The .URL file may become corrupted due to various reasons like hardware issues, software conflicts, or improper file handling. This can result in the file being unreadable or not working as intended.
    2. Incorrect file associations: If the .URL file is not associated with the appropriate program or web browser, double-clicking on the file may not open the desired webpage. This can happen if the file associations have been changed or if the default program for opening .URL files has been modified.
    3. Broken or invalid URLs: The .URL file may contain a broken or invalid URL, leading to an error when attempting to open the webpage. This can happen if the URL is mistyped, the website no longer exists, or the webpage requires authentication.
    4. Security warnings: Some web browsers or security software may display warnings when opening .URL files, especially if they contain links to potentially malicious websites. These warnings are designed to protect users from phishing attempts or malware.
    5. Compatibility issues: .URL files created on one operating system or web browser may not work properly on another. This can occur due to differences in file format, encoding, or the behavior of the associated program.
    6. File location changes: If the .URL file is moved to a different location or renamed, the associated web browser may not be able to locate the file and open the webpage correctly. This can result in an error or the webpage not loading as expected.
    7. Encoding problems: .URL files can be encoded in different formats, such as ANSI, UTF-8, or Unicode. If the encoding is not recognized or supported by the program or web browser, it may cause errors or display garbled text.
    8. Internet connectivity issues: .URL files rely on an internet connection to open the associated webpage. If there are connectivity problems or the device is offline, attempting to open the .URL file may result in an error or a failure to load the webpage.

    It is worth noting that some of these issues may be specific to certain operating systems, web browsers, or software configurations.

  • What are some methods or tools available for repairing .URL files?

    There are several methods and tools available for repairing .URL files. Some of them include:

    1. Manual editing: You can repair a .URL file by manually editing its contents using a text editor. Ensure that the file contains the correct URL and other necessary information.
    2. URL file fixer software: There are various software programs available that specialize in fixing .URL files. These tools can automatically scan and repair any issues with the file, ensuring that it functions correctly.
    3. File association fixers: If the issue lies with the file association, you can use file association fixer tools. These tools can help restore the correct association for .URL files, allowing them to open and function properly.
    4. URL file converters: In some cases, a .URL file may be corrupted or incompatible with certain software. In such cases, you can use URL file converters to convert the file into a different format, such as a bookmark file compatible with web browsers.
    5. System restore: If the .URL file was working correctly in the past but has become corrupted recently, you can use the system restore feature on your operating system to revert your computer back to a previous state when the file was functioning properly.

    It's important to note that before attempting any repairs, it's recommended to create a backup of the .URL file to avoid any potential data loss.

Hello! This is AI-based Hetman Software virtual assistant, and it will answer any of your questions right away.
Start Chat