Web Document property disappearing on URL shortcuts

Hi,

A very odd error is re-occurring, whereby saved links in my favourites bar no longer work. On inspecting the properties of the link, there is no "Web Document", the section that details what URL the link opens.

I have added new links and deleted these duff ones, than a day or so later, they are back as they were! It is quite annoying - has anybody seen this before or have an idea what may be causing it?

Windows 7 Home edition 64bit
IE10
Samsung R730

I've run Malwarebytes and Superantispyware and have McAfee anti virus.

No, I just checked via that pgm and there are no suspect ones.

I second the motion to use MSE while troubleshooting.

These favorites are just text (INI) shortcut files.

Drag/drop on of them into notepad:

Code:

[{000214A0-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
Prop3=19,2
[InternetShortcut]
URL=https://www.sevenforums.com/
IDList=
IconFile=https://www.sevenforums.com/favicon.ico
IconIndex=1

Perhaps your favorites are located in a folder path like...
\Users\username\Favorites\Links
...unless you have redirected that folder.
(Links may show as its alias of Favorites Bar.)
(Thanks MS for making that so confusing.)

Make a copy of the shortcut files while they are working. Perhaps copy them all to a temp folder on your desktop. Then compare the contents if one of them goes bad again.

How often does this happen? Can you force it to happen?

Do the date/time stamps change on the shortcut files that have gone bad?

As a band-aid, you might try making these shortcut files read-only, but I would really want to know what is going on.

UsernameIssues said:

I second the motion to use MSE while troubleshooting.

These favorites are just text (INI) shortcut files.

Drag/drop on of them into notepad:

Code:

[{000214A0-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
Prop3=19,2
[InternetShortcut]
URL=https://www.sevenforums.com/
IDList=
IconFile=https://www.sevenforums.com/favicon.ico
IconIndex=1

A common one just crapped out again, dragging and dropping to notepad gives this and nothing else.....

[InternetShortcut]
IconFile=http://ebay.com/favicon.ico
IconIndex=1

Perhaps your favorites are located in a folder path like...
\Users\username\Favorites\Links

Yes they are.

Make a copy of the shortcut files while they are working. Perhaps copy them all to a temp folder on your desktop. Then compare the contents if one of them goes bad again.

The difference is that one has a web document property and shows a whole lot more in the notepad.

How often does this happen? Can you force it to happen?

Daily. I don't know, it's random but always the same links. I delete and redo each time.

Do the date/time stamps change on the shortcut files that have gone bad?

Nope.

As a band-aid, you might try making these shortcut files read-only, but I would really want to know what is going on.

Ok, but I'll stick with ongoing diagnosis for now.

Next step is try copying one that never goes bad and rename and adjust.

Try this (if ya want):
Get that ebay favorite working again (copy 1).
Copy it to the desktop (copy 2).
Copy it to the desktop again (copy 3).

If copy 1 goes bad, double click on copy 2. Leave copy 3 untouched by IE. Just attempting to see if some plug-in or security app is making these changes only when IE is involved and if it happens no matter where the shortcut file is located.

If you want, I can probably work up a script that will let you know exactly when the shortcut file is changed. And if you get really desperate, you can add Process Monitor into the mix. Take a look at this post and this one.

Have you changed to the simpler MSE for your antivirus? You can change back to whatever you like after the issue is solved.

UsernameIssues said:

Try this (if ya want):
Get that ebay favorite working again (copy 1).
Copy it to the desktop (copy 2).
Copy it to the desktop again (copy 3).

If copy 1 goes bad, double click on copy 2. Leave copy 3 untouched by IE. Just attempting to see if some plug-in or security app is making these changes only when IE is involved and if it happens no matter where the shortcut file is located.

Done for a few of them.

If you want, I can probably work up a script that will let you know exactly when the shortcut file is changed. And if you get really desperate, you can add Process Monitor into the mix. Take a look at this post and this one.

Ok thanks.

Have you changed to the simpler MSE for your antivirus? You can change back to whatever you like after the issue is solved.

I'd rather not do that unless I exhaust all possibilities. I've had it for a few years, so can't see how it could be the root of the problem.

Antivirus apps change quite often. They change what they watch for with every signature file update and how they "cure" files with most app updates. But I understand the hassle of removing it. If McAfee does happen to be the culprit, it would be nice to catch it making the change.