Fix Character Map.lnk Errors

Sometimes Windows system displays error messages regarding corrupted or missing Character Map.lnk files. Situations like that can occur, for example, during a software installation process. Each software program requires certain resources, libraries, and source data to work properly. Corrupted or nonexistent Character Map.lnk file can therefore effect in failed execution of the started process.

Character Map.lnk file @%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-22533. The file was developed by Microsoft for use with Windows software. Here you will find detailed information about the file and instructions how to proceed in the event of Character Map.lnk related errors on your device. You can also download Character Map.lnk file compatible with Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 8.1, Windows 8 devices which will (most probably) allow you to solve the problem.

Compatible with: Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 8.1, Windows 8

User popularity

Fix Character Map.lnk errors

1 Information about Character Map.lnk file
2 Errors related to Character Map.lnk file
3 How to fix Character Map.lnk related errors?

3.1 Scanning for malicious software
3.2 System and driver update
3.3 System File Checker tool
3.4 System recovery

4 Download Character Map.lnk

4.1 List of Character Map.lnk file versions

File info

General information
Filename	Character Map.lnk
File extension	LNK
Description	@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-22533

Software
Program	Windows XP
Software	Windows
Author	Microsoft
Software version	XP

Details
File size	1521
Oldest file	2006-11-02
Latest file	2017-04-24
MIME type	application/octet-stream

Most common Character Map.lnk file related problems

There are various types of errors related to Character Map.lnk file. Character Map.lnk file may be located in wrong file directory on your device, may not be present in the system, or may be infected with malicious software and therefore not work correctly. Below is a list of most common error messages related to Character Map.lnk file. If you encounter one listed below (or similar), please consider the following suggestions.

Character Map.lnk is corrupted
Character Map.lnk cannot be located
Runtime Error - Character Map.lnk
Character Map.lnk file error
Character Map.lnk file cannot be loaded. Module was not found
cannot register Character Map.lnk file:
Character Map.lnk file could not be loaded
Character Map.lnk file doesn't exist

Character Map.lnk

Application could not be started because Character Map.lnk file is missing. Reinstall the application to solve the problem.

Problems related to Character Map.lnk can be addressed in various ways. Some methods are meant only for advanced users. If you don't have confidence in your skills, we suggest consulting a specialist. Fixing Character Map.lnk file errors should be approached with utmost caution for any mistakes can result in unstable or unproperly working system. If you have the necassary skills, please proceed.

How to fix Character Map.lnk errors in just few steps?

Remember, before taking any action related to system files perform a backup copy of your data!

Character Map.lnk file errors can be caused by various factors, so its is beneficial to try to fix them using various methods.

Step 1: Scan your computer for any malicious software

Windows files are commonly attacked by malicious software that prevents them from working properly. First step in addressing problems with Character Map.lnk file or any other Windows system files should be scanning the system for malicious software using an antivirus tool.

If by any chance you don't have any antivirus software installed on your system yet, you should do it immediately. Unprotected system is not only a source of file errors, but, more importantly, makes your system vulnerable to many dangers. If you don't know which antivirus tool to choose, consult this Wikipedia article – comparison of antivirus software.

Step 2: Update your system and drivers.

Installing relevant Microsoft Windows patches and updates may solve your problems related to Character Map.lnk file. Use dedicated Windows tool to perform the update.

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "Windows Update" in the search field
Choose the appropriate software program (name may vary depending on your system version)
Check if your system is up to date. If any unapplied updates are listed, install them immediately.
After the update has been done,restart your computer in order to complete the process.

Beside updating the system, it is recommended that you install latest device drivers, as drivers can influence proper working of Character Map.lnk or other system files. In order to do so, go to your computer or device producer's website where you will find information regarding latest driver updates.

Step 3: Use System File Checker (SFC) tool

System File Checker is a Microsoft Windows tool. As the name suggests, the tool is used for identyfing and addressing system file related errors, including those related to Character Map.lnk file. After an error related to%fileextension% file has been discovered, the program attempts to automatically replace the Character Map.lnk file with properly working version. To use the tool:

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "cmd" in the search field
Locate "Command Prompt" result – don't run it yet:
Click the right mouse button and select "Run as Administrator" option
Type "sfc /scannow" in console prompt to start the program and follow the instructions

Step 4: Restoring Windows system

Another approach is to restore system to previous state, before the Character Map.lnk file error occured. In order to restore your system, follow the instructions below

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "System Restore" in the search field
Start the system restore tool – it's name may differ depending on version of the system
The application will guide you through the process – read the messages carefully
After the process has finished, restart your computer.

If all the above-mentioned methods failed and the Character Map.lnk file problem has not been resolved, proceed to the next step. Remember that the following steps are intended only for advanced users.

Download and replace Character Map.lnk file

The last solution is to manually download and replace Character Map.lnk file in appropriate folder on the disk. Select file version compatible with your operating system and click the "Download" button. Next, go to your web browser's "Downloaded" folder and copy the downloaded Character Map.lnk file.

Go to the folder where the file should be located and paste the downloaded file. Below is the list of Character Map.lnk file example directory paths.

Windows 10: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\
Windows 7: ---
Windows Vista: ---
Windows XP: ---
Windows 8.1: ---
Windows 8: ---

If the steps did not solve your Character Map.lnk file problem, you should consult a professional. A probability exists that the error(s) might be device-related and therefore should be resolved at the hardware level. A fresh operating system installation might be necessary – a faulty system installation process can result in data loss.

File versions list

Filename Character Map.lnk

System Windows 10

File size 1114 bytes

Date -0001-11-30

Download

File details
	MD5	9a6636e79dca40b78b5b36f8d591c56d
	SHA1	5caeeab955094cb329516bc6ae7783b3c664c1c5
	SHA256	2bb9a296624e6601587b33594eaed9704d494bf32c87b8aceefe7d81ffcea86d
	CRC32	8d9c9457
	Example file location	C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\

Filename Character Map.lnk

System Windows 7

File size 1248 bytes

Date 2009-07-14

Download

File details
	MD5	b52da49857a01708487176488fbc81bd
	SHA1	f36ad90ecf000869f926b873ee626677a80aa67c
	SHA256	d3a1aa35a71065616377e91de2b271848f0f1c76dcdbcfceef84759e872e199a
	CRC32	be7e1fb2
	Example file location	---

Filename Character Map.lnk

System Windows Vista

File size 1643 bytes

Date 2006-11-02

Download

File details
	MD5	66330a6b618fb494f5cd89a7e3878820
	SHA1	9ebc38a5aea34c801732d8c34468312094ff1168
	SHA256	52335a9e513b3255f6038997b4dfcb7ba9770b06b0446678aecbe011478b60c3
	CRC32	ae7ef53c
	Example file location	---

Filename Character Map.lnk

System Windows XP

File size 1521 bytes

Date 2017-04-24

Download

File details
	MD5	f68414c068c561dbef7833f80af6142d
	SHA1	fda0702d2911a541394f785f0cf1a45dd9460eb4
	SHA256	202b7ef123ec8ae6c01d2b0c109b1505aa8cb7f5ebe709dddb8473ecd30c9d7d
	CRC32	56fe8d9b
	Example file location	---

Filename Character Map.lnk

System Windows 8.1

File size 1114 bytes

Date -0001-11-30

Download

File details
	MD5	9a6636e79dca40b78b5b36f8d591c56d
	SHA1	5caeeab955094cb329516bc6ae7783b3c664c1c5
	SHA256	2bb9a296624e6601587b33594eaed9704d494bf32c87b8aceefe7d81ffcea86d
	CRC32	8d9c9457
	Example file location	---

Filename Character Map.lnk

System Windows 8

File size 1114 bytes

Date -0001-11-30

Download

File details
	MD5	9a6636e79dca40b78b5b36f8d591c56d
	SHA1	5caeeab955094cb329516bc6ae7783b3c664c1c5
	SHA256	2bb9a296624e6601587b33594eaed9704d494bf32c87b8aceefe7d81ffcea86d
	CRC32	8d9c9457
	Example file location	---