The Fastest Ways to Recover Lost .XNK Files on Any Device

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 .XNK file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

The Fastest Ways to Recover Lost .XNK Files on Any Device
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .XNK file?

Folder shortcut that opens a folder in Microsoft Exchange; created by dragging a folder from the Folder List in Outlook or Exchange to the Windows desktop.

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

There can be several common causes of ".XNK" files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: One of the most common causes is accidental deletion by the user. This can happen when a user mistakenly deletes the ".XNK" file while cleaning up their computer or organizing files.
  2. File system corruption: Corruption in the file system can lead to the loss or failure of ".XNK" files. This can occur due to sudden system shutdowns, power outages, hardware issues, or software conflicts.
  3. Virus or malware attack: Viruses or malware can infect and damage files on a computer, including ".XNK" files. These malicious programs can corrupt, delete, or encrypt the files, making them inaccessible or unusable.
  4. Software or application issues: Problems with the software or application associated with ".XNK" files can cause them to fail. This can include bugs, compatibility issues, or errors within the software itself.
  5. Hardware failure: Physical damage or malfunction of the storage device where ".XNK" files are stored can lead to their loss or failure. This can happen due to hard drive crashes, disk errors, or other hardware issues.
  6. System upgrades or updates: Sometimes, during system upgrades or updates, files can be accidentally overwritten or deleted, leading to the loss of ".XNK" files.
  7. Human error: Human error, such as improper handling of files, accidental formatting of storage devices, or incorrect file transfers, can result in the loss or failure of ".XNK" files.

It is always recommended to regularly backup important files, including ".XNK" files, to prevent data loss and to use reliable antivirus software to protect against malware and viruses.

How to recover lost ".XNK" 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 ".XNK" file may be deleted.

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🧺 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 ".XNK" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".XNK" 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 ".XNK" 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.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

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 ".XNK" 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 ".XNK" extension?

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

Programs that open ".XNK" files

Windows
HEX Editor HEX Editor

Additional Information

  • File type: Exchange Shortcut

  • File extension: .XNK

  • Developer: N/A

  • Category: Misc Files

  • Format: N/A

  • HEX: 05 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 05 00 00 00

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:01 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .XNK files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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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.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the purpose of a ".XNK backup" file?

    The purpose of a ".XNK backup" file is to serve as a backup or snapshot of the Microsoft Outlook navigation pane settings. These files contain shortcuts to various Outlook items such as mail folders, calendars, contacts, and tasks. By creating a .XNK backup file, users can safeguard their navigation pane configuration and easily restore it in case of accidental changes or system disruptions. This ensures that the customized layout and quick access to important Outlook elements can be easily recovered.

  • How can I create a ".XNK backup" file for my data?

    To create a ".XNK backup" file for your data, you can follow these steps:

    1. Open Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
    2. Go to the folder containing the data you want to back up (e.g., Inbox, Sent Items, Contacts, etc.).
    3. Select the items you want to include in the backup by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each item.
    4. Once the desired items are selected, click on the "File" tab in the Outlook menu.
    5. From the dropdown menu, select "Options" and then choose "Advanced."
    6. In the Advanced Options window, click on "Export" under the "Export" section.
    7. The Import and Export Wizard will open. Choose "Export to a file" and click "Next."
    8. Select "Outlook Data File (.pst)" as the file type and click "Next."
    9. Choose the folder you want to export (e.g., Inbox, Sent Items, Contacts, etc.) and make sure to check the "Include subfolders" option.
    10. Click "Next" and specify the location where you want to save the backup file. Choose a name for the file and make sure to set the file extension as ".XNK" (e.g., backup.xnk).
    11. Click "Finish" to start the export process. Depending on the size of your data, it may take some time.
    12. Once the export is complete, you will have a ".XNK backup" file containing your selected data.

    Remember to store the backup file in a secure location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage, to ensure its safety.

  • Is it possible to restore data from a ".XNK backup" file? If so, how?

    A ".XNK backup" file is a Microsoft Outlook shortcut file that is created when you drag and drop an Outlook item (such as an email, contact, or calendar entry) to the desktop or a folder. It does not contain the actual data but serves as a link to the original item in Outlook.

    Therefore, you cannot directly restore data from a .XNK backup file. However, you can use the .XNK file to open the original item in Outlook and then manually restore or export the data from there. Here's how you can do it:

    1. Double-click on the .XNK file. This will open the original item in Outlook if it is still available.
    2. Once the item is open in Outlook, you can manually restore or export the data. For example:
    • If it's an email, you can drag and drop it back into your inbox or another folder.
    • If it's a contact, you can right-click on it and choose "Move to Folder" to restore it to the desired location.
    • If it's a calendar entry, you can drag and drop it back into your calendar.

    Note that if the original item is no longer available in Outlook or if the .XNK file is corrupted, you won't be able to restore the data using this method. In such cases, it's recommended to have a proper backup of your Outlook data, such as using the built-in export/import options or a dedicated backup tool.
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