A link that is saved via Internet Explorer (*.URL) can not be handled with GNOME. This is stupid somehow because these files are really simple and standardized. A browser could easily open such file. The files are regognized but can not be opened in any way. Even gedit does not like them. So there is no way for the user to read the information. This should never happen.
There's already a mime-type for this type of file: <mime-type type="application/x-mswinurl"> <magic priority="50"> <match type="string" value="InternetShortcut" offset="1"/> </magic> </mime-type> If your applications can't use it, please file a bug directly against the applications.
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