.URL File Extension

Shortcut file used by Web browsers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) and Apple Safari; contains information for a Web URL; also sometimes contains a reference to the favicon.ico icon file, which is displayed as the icon for the shortcut file.

URL files open an Internet location, such as a Web address, in the user's default browser. Usually the shortcut location can be viewed by opening the file in a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad or Apple TextEdit.

NOTE: Microsoft Windows does not display the ".url" file extension even though it exists in the filename. Therefore, URL files saved using Windows Web browsers will appear with only the filename prefix.