How do I cure (repair) my links using LinkFixer Advanced?

How do I cure (repair) my links using LinkFixer Advanced?

How do I cure (repair) my links using LinkFixer Advanced?

Modified on: Mon, 9 Mar, 2026 at 10:47 AM

This article builds on the lesson "How do I inoculate (protect) my links using LinkFixer Advanced". Please complete that lesson first, since the Cure process requires files that were previously inoculated.

What You'll Learn

LinkFixer Advanced can automatically repair broken links in parent files when parent or child files are moved or renamed. Unlike simply redirecting or restoring files, LinkFixer Advanced updates the links themselves so they point to the correct child files in their new locations.

In this lesson, you will deliberately break a link in the Excel2010 Questions File.xlsx by renaming and moving the EXCEL2010 Data File.xlsx. Afterwards, you’ll use the Cure process to automatically repair the broken link.

Trial Version Note

  1. Cure function processes up to 500 links per day.
  2. Maximum of 5,000 links during the 21-day trial.

Step-by-step Guide

  1.  Open your LinkFixer Advanced folder on your desktop.


  2. Navigate to XLSX 2010 under Excel Sample Files.


  3. Right-click on EXCEL2010 Data File.xlsx then Rename it and change the name to
    ThisNameHasChanged.xlsx.


  4. Go up one level to Excel Sample Files and create a new folder named XLS Moved.


  5. Cut ThisNameHasChanged.xlsx and paste it into XLS Moved.


  6. Return to XLSX 2010 and open Excel2010 questions File.xlsx. Click the hyperlink labeled 2010 Excel Data.xlsx. The link will fail to open because the child file has been renamed and moved—confirming that the link is now broken.


  7. Close the file.
  8. Open your LinkFixer Advanced and Click on the Cure button.


  9. In Select Folders, choose XLSX 2010 folder to ensure all parent and child files within it are included for link repair. Also, select XLS Moved Folder so the relocated child file is available during the Cure process.
      

    1. Note: If files from previous run are still selected, click the "Unchecked All" button located at the upper left corner to reset the folder tree before making new selections. If you’re not sure where the child files are located, select a broader folder or even the entire drive to ensure all necessary files are included during processing.
    2. Important: In the "Select Folders" step of the Cure process, choose all drives and folders where parent or child files have been moved. LinkFixer Advanced must scan these locations to repair the links between your files

  10. Click Select "Select Files". For this lesson, choose "Process all files in selected folders"


  11. Click "Select Links". For this lesson, choose "Process all links in selected files".


  12. Click the "Next Step: Preview" button then the "Preview of Links to Cure" screen will appear.                                                                                                                 

    Since the Excel sample files were inoculated in the previous lesson,     LinkFixer Advanced can now automatically repair the broken links caused by the manual move and rename. Notice that the "ThisNameHaschanged.xlsx" child file is re-linked, in its new location, to the "EXCEL2010 Questions File.xlsx"


  13. Click the "Run Cure" button to proceed with the Cure process on the select files.

     
     Note: SQLite Database Performance message may appear.

    By default, LinkFixer Advanced is configured to use built-in SQLite Database. This setup is fine for light evaluation work and for getting familiar with the application.

    Click on “YES” button to proceed.

    The image shows an interface of LinkFixer Advanced 8.0.1.743, with an option to switch from SQLite to SQL Server for enhanced performance. AI-generated content may be incorrect.   
                                                                                                                                           
    After clicking on "YES" button, another message may appear as the LinkFixer Advanced reminds you that there is no source file specified. Specifying your source folder tells Cure where you do not want your inoculated links to point anymore.
        
    For this lesson, select "    Cure Anyway" to proceed with the process.
     
      
    If the LinkFixer Advanced reminds you to choose a backup location again, you select "Do not make automatic backups" and the cure process will begin.
     
       
  14. Once processing is complete, the LinkFixer Advanced Cure Process Dashboard window appears, displaying the Status pane.

  15. Congratulations, you have now successfully cured all of the broken links, automatically!
  16. Click on the "Open Report" to open the Cure Summary.pdf.
  17. The report provides a detailed listing of each parent file and its associated links, highlighting those that were automatically cured.

  18. After reviewing your report, you may close it.
  19. Open the "EXCEL2010 Questions File.xlsx" file and open the link that was broken. The link now should now be working and opens the "This NameHasChanged.xlsx".