.lnk files for All Programs menu

.lnk should not be associated with any program. Check in your filetype associations and change if required.

I would suggest a System Restore. You can scan for affected programs before you actually apply the changes. System Restore

- I'd really prefer not to do a system restore. I have license codes that I would have to export from the registry now, and re import them again later. It will be a huge pain to go through and re-enter all my registry keys that will be erased with System Restore.

.lnk should not be associated with any program. Check in your filetype associations and change if required.

- See my screenshot here https://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...ype.doctor.jpg

If you use internet explorer you can try a reset there - as it may be a zone trust level issue

- I did the "Reset all zones to default levels"

Alternately check the properties of the shortcut or actual programs an see if you have an UNBLOCK button - I used to haver this when using firefox where the program was automatically blocked when downloaded.

- No unblock button in the right-click menu or properties. It is also not being locked (checked with LockHunter)

Also check the permissions on the start menu folder[B]s[B] - this should give a different error or prompt but the permissions could be a factor

- I opened up the Advanced permissions button, it shows a check next to "Special permission" - I compared the values of a shortcut that works (non .exe shortcut) to the permissions of the shortcut that does not work, such as the .exe one. It looks to be the same permissions:

To make matters even more weird...

This directory C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu has a couple shortcuts to exe files. ALL of these shortcuts work. If I copy/move a shortcut into the Programs folder, then it has the problem and displays the prompt screenshot in my first post.

So, all shortcuts in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs have issues, but shortcuts outside that folder, work fine.

I'm not sure if this is the same with all systems, but just in case it is:

Code:

 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
@="lnkfile"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{000214EE-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{000214F9-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{00021500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew]
"Handler"="{ceefea1b-3e29-4ef1-b34c-fec79c4f70af}"
"IconPath"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,\
  74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,\
  00,68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,2d,00,\
  31,00,36,00,37,00,36,00,39,00,00,00
"ItemName"="@shell32.dll,-30397"
"MenuText"="@shell32.dll,-30318"
"NullFile"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew\Config]
"DontRename"=""

DISCLAIMER: I disclaim myself from all registry damages you may inflict with your registry.

I'm not sure if this is the same with all systems, but just in case it is:

- Thanks for the suggestion, Barman linked over to the tutorial with that inside, it didn't fix the problem though

Ok your ability (or not) to execute these shortcuts normally must be based on either the Users or everyone group.

Can you snip these, and post here, for a file that does not work correctly and I'll see if I can notice any discrepancies

- Can you clarify what to post? I right-click on a working shortcut, go to Properties, then Security, then? Or something else? Basically, post all the settings for a working file, for all the users and groups listed under the Security tab, and then do the same for a file that doesn't work. Is that right?

Ah, thanks for the clarification! I compared the two, exe (left) to lnk (right) and the users and administrator groups appear to be the same

I guess this is not what we wanted to see

Btw, when I right-click on the file and go to "Run as administrator", I do NOT receive the error prompt window. I think you're on the right track regarding the user groups being messed up. Just dunno where to go from here.