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    Windows 7: Shortcut wizard fails

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Veneke, Aug 21, 2011.

  1. Veneke

    Veneke Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've just recently got a new laptop (Dell XPS L502x if it makes any difference) with the standard Windows 7 OS that it comes with. I just tried to create a shortcut to a programme file on Desktop and it failed. As in, the wizard opened up I went through all the steps and no shortcut appeared. I repeated the process and the default name changed to Default (2) as if there was a shortcut present.

    I've looked, in a variety of ways, at the Desktop (sorting icons etc) and every time the icon count comes back static. I've tried creating shortcuts to different files and folders, to no avail. I have managed to create a new Folder, that works perfectly, but the new shortcut wizard simply doesn't. Any thoughts?
     
    Veneke, Aug 21, 2011
    #1
  2. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    If you right click the desktop - Personalization -change desktop icons - can you add new icons?
     
    JOSEA, Aug 21, 2011
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  3. Veneke

    Veneke Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes. I can add and remove icons from that list.
     
    Veneke, Aug 21, 2011
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  4. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    Veneke The only other thing that I can think of is to go here
    Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\User Accounts\Manage Accounts
    and create a new account and see if the issue persists on the new account.
     
    JOSEA, Aug 21, 2011
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  5. Veneke

    Veneke Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hmm... I'll have a look into that. Very odd that it won't work, but I suppose its a small problem in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for helping me out Josea. If you (or anyone else) can think of what might be causing this or how to fix it I'd certainly appreciate it.
     
    Veneke, Aug 21, 2011
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  6. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    Glad to try to help, if you open windows explorer and view
    C:\Users\username\Desktop do the shortcuts appear?
    Also try tools - folder options - view tab- restore defaults; for the desktop folder.
     
    JOSEA, Aug 21, 2011
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  7. Veneke

    Veneke Notebook Enthusiast

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    No luck with C:\Users route.

    Thanks for directing me to the Folder Options thing though! For some reason, it has been creating all of the shortcuts as hidden icons. Why would it do that?
     
    Veneke, Aug 22, 2011
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  8. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    Veneke, If you uncheck the hidden attribute do the icons show up on the desktop?
    Are you running windows that came with the computer or did you do a 'clean install'.
     
    JOSEA, Aug 22, 2011
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  9. Veneke

    Veneke Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yep, unchecking the hidden attribute shows all of the shortcuts. I'm running windows that came with the computer and haven't really done anything to it bar install a few things (Steam, Impulse, RealTemp, OpenOffice...).
     
    Veneke, Aug 23, 2011
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  10. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    JOSEA, Aug 24, 2011
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  11. Veneke

    Veneke Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ah, that does explain it as I am running McAfee. Although I'm not running it by choice; it's a new laptop so it came with a 18 month free McAfee subscription and I hate just throwing free stuff away.
     
    Veneke, Aug 24, 2011
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  12. deekeasy

    deekeasy Notebook Guru

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    deekeasy, Aug 24, 2011
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