Can't create a shortcut in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Startup

I'm trying to create a shortcut of Setpoint.exe to "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Startup" but Windows won't let me.

It's showing "Windows can't create a shortcut here. Create a shortcut to the desktop instead" error popup.

Need some workarounds guys.

AndyTh said:

I'm trying to create a shortcut of Setpoint.exe to "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Startup" but Windows won't let me.

It's showing "Windows can't create a shortcut here. Create a shortcut to the desktop instead" error popup.

Need some workarounds guys.

Create it on the desktop then cut and paste it in the Startup folder; you'll need to be signed on as Admin.

AndyTh said:

It's showing "Windows can't create a shortcut here. Create a shortcut to the desktop instead" error popup.

Welcome to TenForums @AndyTh


Yes, you are only allowed to create folders there. As @Edwin says, copy/cut and paste is the workaround.

There are actually three places you can customise the Start Menu (All apps or Start-up), the area you are looking at is for 'all accounts'.

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove items listed in All apps on the Start menu for your account, new accounts, or all accounts in Windows 10.

All apps in Start menu - Add or Remove Items in Windows 10

You are allowed to create a shortcut in the Start-up for your own account.
C:\Users\<your-account>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Guys, like you said, I just sent a shortcut to the desktop and successfully moved the shortcut from the desktop to "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Startup".

However, I've yet to find out if this will really work.

The reason why I'm doing this is because strangely, Logitech Setpoint.exe is not starting up with Windows as it normally used to. So I'm trying to force it to startup when I login or reboot my system by manually creating shortcuts to the all users and current user startup directories.

Let me know if you guys know a surefire trick.

Anyway, big thanks to both of you for replying.

topgundcp said:

This is a wrong place to create item for startup. You either create the shorcut in:

%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup ===> startup applied for yourself
Or:
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup ===> applied for all users

Roger that! Thanks!

By the way, I've always been curious to know this. In "%APPDATA%" or as in "%TEMP%", what does the two %(percent) symbol signify or denote?

AndyTh said:

I've always been curious to know this. In "%APPDATA%" or as in "%TEMP%", what does the two %(percent) symbol signify or denote?

It means read the value of the named environment variable and use it here in place of the %name%. Try it in a command prompt to see how it works...

C:\Users\owner>cd %TEMP%
C:\Users\owner\AppData\Local\Temp>cd %appdata%
C:\Users\owner\AppData\Roaming>

You can also create your own variable for loading a program you don't want shown on your App list or known to anyone but you. Navigate to: Control Panel\System\Advanced System Settings\Environment Variable. You're looking for "User Variables." Here you can create a "New" variable by giving it a "Name" and using "Browse File" to locate the executable. When you want to load the program just load "Run" and type the name you gave it with the percentage sign before and after the name; e.g. RUN> type: %Your App Name% and hit Enter.

AndyTh said:

The reason why I'm doing this is because strangely, Logitech Setpoint.exe is not starting up with Windows as it normally used to. So I'm trying to force it to startup when I login or reboot my system by manually creating shortcuts to the all users and current user startup directories.

There is another way to approach that problem.
Type in Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Go to the Startup tab
Make sure the Logitech Endpoint is set to Enabled

or

you could right-click the Logitech Setpoint icon in the System Tray, and see if there are any settings that pertain to starting when Windows starts

If both methods fail, you could try reinstalling the Logitech Setpoint software to see if that resolves the issue.