Shortcut Issue

I have a shortcut on my Windows 7 desktop. When clicked, the desired application runs correctly.

When I right click on the shortcut and choose 'properties', the 'target' shown is where the application was loaded.

When I click any other 'properties' tab, I get the error message:
'The name <<directorypath>> specified in the Target box is not valid. Make sure the path and file name are correct.

The path and file name OBVIOUSLY are correct since clicking on the shortcut runs the application.

When I use 'Computer' to find the application that is being executed, it does NOT appear in the directory.

When I try to 'browse' to the file from any other application (email, Word, etc.), the folder/file does not show.

HELP!!

This message is displayed when I
-right click on the shortcut and choose 'properties'
(the properties window comes up showing the 'Shortcut' tab. Everything looks as expected)
-then if I click on any other tab, i.e., General, Compatibility, Security, Details, or Previous Versions, I get the error message 'The name <<path>> is not valid.

Hope that helps.

Again, the shortcut works correctly when clicked on the desktop but the 'Target' folder that is shown in the 'Shortcut' tab of the 'Properties' window can NOT be found when browsing the computer or doing a file/folder search.

I cannot create a new shortcut because the folder/file the current shortcut points to does not display. It's as if the rest of the system thinks the folder/file does not exist.

Creating shortcuts from other applications seems to work fine. Do not have/have not used ccleaner.

Some other background on the problem: the problem may have occurred when trying to attach a file to an email. The file was in the same folder as the application. This is when the problem surfaced.

They used Yahoo mail. When they first browsed from 'Computer' to 'c:' to the folder where the application was, the folder appeared. While continuing to browse to a deeper level, the folder disappeared (and hasn't been seen since).

The shortcut on the desktop also has a 'generic' picture now instead of the 'usual' appearance.

I have the 'defective' computer, but did not actually observe the 'disappearing' act.

Hope this helps.