Create Shortcut Wizard creates hidden shortcuts

Hello,

I am a new member to the forum and I don't have much experience in writing to forums but well, here it goes.

I am having trouble with creating shortcuts on my desktop by using the Create Shortcut Wizard (i.e. Right-click on Desktop or folder and selecting New->Shortcut). The wizard pops-up and I follow the steps on screen to create a shortcut.

However, if I am making a shortcut to IE by locating the file in C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplorer.exe, my shortcut appears hidden on the Desktop or the folder I have created it in. If I am making any other shortcut (such as Adobe Reader for example), I have no problem and, I can see the newly created shortcut (i.e. it is not hidden).

To see my iexplorer.exe shortcut, I have to show all hidden files first in the Folder menu, in Windows Explorer\View. Even disabling the "Hide protected operating system files" does not work. Only the show all hidden files option works.

I believe this might have been an effect left over by a virus/Trojan. I had recently (in May 2011) removed several viruses from my computer, using the McAffee AntiVirus Plus software. I have also run MalwareBytes to be sure I have no Trojans on my PC, and I didn't. In addition, I have run some of the Microsoft Fix It applications to fix my IE security problems and remove broken shortcuts. I hoped that would fix the hidden shortcut issue, but it was in vain.

I have also searched in Google and Bing for this kind of problem but it appears that I am the only one having it.

I know most malware could do that to a PC and then the user has to manually set visible the files/folders such as Favorites, Desktop, etc.

I will be very thankful to anyone who could give me a suggestion on how to fix my issue.

Thank you very much for your time!

Best regards,

Wizuldur

Hi there, welcome to Seven Forums!

Well, first of all, download and install CCleaner Redirecting.... Run the program, and before hitting the button Run Cleaner, make sure you tick 'Start Menu Shortcuts' and 'Desktop Shortcuts' under 'System', then hit Run Cleaner. This will delete all invalid shortcuts.

To make a shortcut, you don't need the wizard, takes more time. If you want to make a shortcut of an .exe or file or whatever, right-click the file you want to make a shortcut of and select 'Copy'. Then go to where you want the shortcut to be placed (Desktop for example), right-click and select 'Paste Shortcut'. There you go, the shortcut :).

If you still think this could be due to malware, run a Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper scan Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta | Microsoft Connect. This runs in a bootable Windows PE environment, not Windows, so it can catch tougher threats.

Slasher

What is occurring with the method I have told you (problem)?

Ok fine, :). Try running sfc /scannow from an elevated command prompt (Run as Administrator).

No problem man, anytime.