"Create Shortcut"s target path points to wrong Program Files folder.


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       #1

    "Create Shortcut"s target path points to wrong Program Files folder.


    When I create a shortcut to file in Program Files, the target path for that shortcut will be to Program Files (x86), even though the start in path will be correct. Furthermore, even though the target path is incorrect and no icon is displayed for the shortcut, the shortcut still works.

    Shortcuts to items placed in the Program Files folder by an installer do not have this problem. It is only for files that are manually placed in the Programs Files folder by me the user, i.e. copy and pasted there.

    What is happening and how do I fix it?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #2

    Can you post some screen captures of what you are seeing?
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Edit: Before you read further the problem seems inconsistent, or possibly no longer present. I discovered this while making the post below. Ill report back if it starts happening again.

    Here is an shortcut to a small batch file I created for my mouse and keyboard software for whenever it gets hung up to close the program and reopen it. It's a file I created and placed in the "C:\Program files\Logitech Gaming Software" folder manually then used the context menu create shortcut, to create a shortcut on the desktop to the .bat file. As you can see from the properties box the target path is pointing to the wrong programs file folder.

    "Create Shortcut"s target path points to wrong Program Files folder.-wrong-target-path-shortcuts.jpg

    Hmm, well apparently I was wrong about my earlier assessment. It seems shortcuts to all new shortcuts created for files located in C:\Program Files\ point to C:\Program Files (x86)\, not just files manually placed there, but also files placed there by installers. I just created a shortcut to Lcore.exe the main executable for the mouse and keyboard software, and to SWGVC.exe, the main executable for my VPN software, and both point to C:\Program Files (x86)\ instead of C:\Program Files\.

    "Create Shortcut"s target path points to wrong Program Files folder.-wrong-target-path-all-shortcuts.jpg

    Lol, sorry I am discovering more wackiness as I create this post. I just went to take a screen capture of the Lcore.exe shortcut's properties box, and discovered that now it is pointing to the right the Program Files folder, and so went back and checked the SWGVC.exe shortcut and sure enough it too is now pointing to the right Program Files folder.

    And now I just created a new shortcut to the .bat file and it is pointing to the right folder. So, either the problem is inconsistent or I don't know it fixed itself I suppose. Sorry for wasting your time, I will report back in 24 hours with its continued behavior.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #4

    I see the Start In as C:\Program Files (X86) but Target is C:\Program Files.

    Target is where the executable resides, Start in is the default directory when the program runs.

    No idea why they are different.
      My Computers


 

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