Summary
|
| Name |
Microsoft Internet Shortcut |
| Version |
|
| Other names |
|
| Identifiers |
MIME:
text/plain
PUID:
x-fmt/454
|
| Family |
|
| Classification |
Text (Structured) |
| Disclosure |
Full |
| Description |
The Microsoft Internet Shortcut format (URL file format) is built upon a plain text file and adopts an "INI" or configuration file style 'section + key-pair' format, to provide machine-readable structure to describe a method of accessing a web page or website. The format enables the encapsulation of the information needed to connect to a website in a file-based object, which can be distributed or saved elsewhere on the user's hard-disk, for example, in enabling bookmarking of web-sites as a user's favorites. The Microsoft Internet Shortcut format included features such as hotkey instructions, allowing users to make use of a combination of keys on a keyboard to launch a website. The association of the '*.url' file-format extension with a web-browser application enabled double-clicking of the file object to launch a website. |
| Orientation |
Text |
| Byte order |
|
| Related file formats |
None.
|
| Technical Environment |
|
| Released |
|
| Supported until |
|
| Format Risk |
|
| Developed by |
 Microsoft Corporation
|
| Supported by |
Microsoft Corporation
|
| Source |
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
|
| Source date |
06 Apr 2009 |
| Source description |
Digital preservation research. Contains URL of network resource. Specific to MS Windows operating environment. Although this kind of file is not useful as a preservation target, it is important to identify it so it can be characterized as ephemeral data.; 04/2024 (v.118): Description and links added as part of PRONOM Research Week 2023. Submitted by Ross Spencer. |
| Last updated |
17 Apr 2024 |
| Note |
https://web.archive.org/web/20120906134656/http://www.fmtz.com/formats/url-file-format/article |
Details: File format summary
: detailed report on file format 
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