Can LNK files indicate that a file once existed, even if the file itself cannot currently be found?

LNK files, which are shortcut files in Windows operating systems, serve as pointers to files or folders. When a file or folder is created, a corresponding LNK file can be generated, storing information about the original file's path, location, and attributes. Importantly, even if the original file has been deleted or moved, the LNK file can still exist on the system.

This aspect allows LNK files to be significant in forensic investigations, as they can provide evidence that a file once existed on the system. They contain metadata that may include details such as the date and time the file was last accessed, created, or modified. Even if the actual file is no longer present, the LNK file can indicate its previous existence and possibly the actions taken regarding that file, making them valuable for tracing user activity and recovering information.

While there are conditions under which LNK files may not provide complete or accurate information—such as corruption or specific system configurations—the primary function of LNK files is to point to actual files. Thus, they can indeed indicate that a file once existed, making the assertion true.