Windows 7: Two Document Shortcuts Missing From Desktop

Hi,



I just noticed that shortcuts to two docs; one Word doc and one Excel sheet have disappeared from the desktop. They are still on the hard drive. I have the shortcuts as I use them every day.

I definitely did not delete the shortcuts. And I am the only person who uses this PC. I wondered if I got a virus, as I recently visited a reputable forum but its main page has been hacked. (The hackers stated so!)

I did a MalwareBytes Quick scan and it did not detect anything, but half way through its scan Windows said there was a threat and to click "Clean Threat" or whatever - and it got rid of it, but I could not find a way of finding out what the threat was.

Anone know how to find that the Windows threat was?

And what could have caused the files to disappear?

Try this. Right click on the desktop select View from the context menu and check show desktop icons.

It should have shown you where it was before taking any action. Windows can always say something is a threat when really it isn`t. If it isn`t written by microsoft then of course it must be bad. LOL

You said you were running Malwarebytes and WINDOWS told you you had a threat. What do you mean by Windows ? MSEssentials ?

Hi thanks - I did that, but it is already checked. All the other icons are showing. Doing what you said made them all disappear.


Hi thanks,
Sorry, I just know it was Windows because it had a Windows red alert box on the bottom right of the screen. I'm not sure if it was MSEssentials or not. Only that it was Windows own security.

MalwareBytes said I do not have any threat.

I have since reinstated the two shortcuts, but I was just concerned because disappearing icons has never happened before, and I wondered if I should do a system restore.

I can't think what else could have caused it.

thanks

In Windows and on the high seas, anything can happen. I would not worry about it. As long as it is only a couple of lost shortcuts, there is no red alert. And your malware alert could have been a false positive.

OK thanks a lot WHS.

I thanked the others, but when I tried to thank you I got an error box that said:

"You must spread some reputation around before you give it to WHS again"

What does THAT mean?

I already thanked the other two that helped me.

And I always thank everyone who replies to me, even if their suggestions didn't help - I still appreciate the time they took to try.

So what else do I need to do to thank WHS? (apart from say it here?)

thanks!

I appreciate your efforts very much. The rep system allows you only to rerep someone after you have given reps to 15 other members. But that is quite alright. I am happy if you are satisfied with the answers.

Real Gem, this issue may return. Were these shortcut to files stored on your hard drive, or shorcuts to a document stored on a network drive? Windows 7 has a tendancy of doing this sort of thing going all the way back to RC1.

As a suggestion, you might want to try Fences. Stardock Corporation - Software - Fences

I use it on my laptop and pretty much everyone in the office uses it now. it's free and keeps your icons in one place, and more importantly, doesn't let them get deleted.

OK thanks for explaining.


The files were on my hard drive. If Windows makes a habit of this, then I am reassured it is not a big problem. I was just wondering initially if it was due to a virus, as it seemed a weird thing to happen.

That Fences tool looks quite cool. I was wondering how I could keep my files better organized, so that might be the answer.

thanks