A way to stop "broken shortcuts" from disappearing?

[Xenoid]

Hello!

Recently, after I install a program update or new program, all my "broken shortcuts" in taskbar (shortcuts leading to disconnected drive) are removed. It all started with VirtualBox update, when I updated from 5.0.0 to 5.0.10 version, all my "broken shortcuts" got removed on last installation stage. I had to do system restore in order to restore them back. Reinstalling VirtualBox 5.0.0 didn't removed them, so it started to happen somewhere between these version. And now I wanted to update LibreOffice to the latest version and again, on last installation stage all my "broken shortcuts" got wiped out. Both of them use "Windows Installer", so I am quite sure, it has to do with one of the changes to it and it calls for "clean broken shortcuts". For particular reason, the disconnected drive in question cannot be connected to this computer at the moment.
If there is a way to stop that, I would appreciate any help.

 

[RolandJS]

With the same problem, I had to make a work-around: I created a folder called zDsktp, all the shortcuts from desktop are copied into that folder. Desktop with folders loaded with shortcuts the world over are copied into zDsktp, i.e. geekNtech folder as is copied into zDsktop folder, which reside on data logical drive [partition] D.
And, those copied desktop shortcuts and desktop folders go into zDsktp's ZIP file, each computer has its own zip file.
Bimonthly backups of OS C and data D keep zippies pretty safe. Why zip files: some disk cleaners are very good at sniffing out "broken shortcuts" regardless of being on C or D. Don't password zip files, not worth the hassle.

 

[Brink]

Hello Xenoid,

This would be a feature of System Maintenance Troubleshooter. Turning it off should stop this for you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/165701-system-maintenance-troubleshooter-turn-off.html

 

[Xenoid]

Hello Xenoid,

This would be a feature of System Maintenance Troubleshooter. Turning it off should stop this for you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/165701-system-maintenance-troubleshooter-turn-off.html

Hello, Brink!

Thank you for the reply!
I did the following:
1) turned off System Maintenance Troubleshooter using the guide you provided
2) restarted computer (just in case)
3) verified, that System Maintenance Troubleshooter is turned off
4) started the installation of LibreOffice
5) my "broken shortcuts" were removed from taskbar during the "Removing files" phase

Unfortunately, the solution didn't help me. Thanks anyway!

 

[RolandJS]

...and let's try my idea

 

[Xenoid]

...and let's try my idea

Hello, RolandJS!

Sorry, I didn't start with your solution, Brink's solution looked more easy and professional
Anyway, I did the following:
1) made screenshot of my taskbar to have shortcut position backup
2) made a copy of "C:\Users\<USER NAME>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar" folder
3) started LibreOffice installation and "broken shortcuts" got removed
4) restarted the computer
5) went back to "TaskBar" folder and all shortcuts were there, but they were missing from taskbar itself
6) did system restore

Unfortunately, it didn't help either. Thanks for the help anyway!

 

[RolandJS]

That taskbar folder is not always completely "honest," or accurate with current taskbar placements. Some of my thingies have served me well since Windows for Workgroups 3.11, but, hey, do what you believe is best.

 

[Brink]

Xenoid,

Did the shortcuts get broken due to a drive letter change? If so, changing the drive letter back to what it was should sort it.

 

[Xenoid]

Xenoid,

Did the shortcuts get broken due to a drive letter change? If so, changing the drive letter back to what it was should sort it.

No, the drive is physically disconnected and used in another computer, I am unable to connect it right now. And this happens not with all installations, just with most recent ones, which use "Windows Installer".

 

[Brink]

Unless they were deleted, the shortcuts should return when the drive is connected again.

I'm not sure it's possible to stop them from being hidden when the source is disconnected.

 

[Xenoid]

Unless they were deleted, the shortcuts should return when the drive is connected again.

I'm not sure it's possible to stop them from being hidden when the source is disconnected.

I will test that using flash drive.

 

[Xenoid]

I have tested with external hard drive. While present in "TaskBar" folder, shortcuts don't return to the taskbar after I connect the drive back. Restarting computer or refreshing taskbar doesn't return them either.

 

[Brink]

Does the drive letter remain the same as what the shortcuts were for?

 

[Xenoid]

Does the drive letter remain the same as what the shortcuts were for?

Yes. I use that drive for Steam games.

1) disconnect the drive
2) Start Menu and Taskbar shortcuts loose their icons
3) starting LibreOffice installation
4) Taskbar shortcuts disappear
5) restarting the computer
6) connecting the drive
7) Start Menu shortcuts get their icons back
8) Taskbar shortcuts don't return even after restart

 

[Brink]

I must admit that I'm stomped as well.

If you like, you could use the tutorial as a workaround for now to be able to backup and restore your pinned taskbar items as needed before and after disconnecting and connecting the drive.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/212923-taskbar-backup-restore-pinned-items-windows-7-a.html

 

[RolandJS]

Icons pinned to taskbar should remain there, unless X is specifically removed by program X uninstall. Many installs normally leave orphans pinned to taskbar. Are we including icons in the taskbar notification area? If so, they normally disappear with most uninstalls, and probably "get lost" when their hard-drive is/are removed.

 

[Xenoid]

Icons pinned to taskbar should remain there, unless X is specifically removed by program X uninstall. Many installs normally leave orphans pinned to taskbar. Are we including icons in the taskbar notification area? If so, they normally disappear with most uninstalls, and probably "get lost" when their hard-drive is/are removed.

I am talking about pinned programs, where you right-click and select "Pin to Taskbar". Sorry, if I wasn't clear enough.

 

[Xenoid]

I must admit that I'm stomped as well.

If you like, you could use the tutorial as a workaround for now to be able to backup and restore your pinned taskbar items as needed before and after disconnecting and connecting the drive.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/212923-taskbar-backup-restore-pinned-items-windows-7-a.html

Thanks for the guide, I will try that tomorrow.

 

[Callender]

Something to try:

Check shortcut locations. I think you want the first one.

%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu

If you want to pin certain programs there - directly point shortcuts to the EXE file as some corrupt installers prevent icons from some shortcuts showing up. For this, you have to pin the program as usual (right click on the button and "Pin ..."), then create a shortcut pointing to the exe file in some other folder (doesn't matter where), then overwrite the pinned shortcut with your manually created shortcut and the icons should be back!

Also try adding this to registry. Reboot to take effect.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoResolveTrack"=dword:00000001

 

[Xenoid]

Something to try:

Check shortcut locations. I think you want the first one.

%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu

If you want to pin certain programs there - directly point shortcuts to the EXE file as some corrupt installers prevent icons from some shortcuts showing up. For this, you have to pin the program as usual (right click on the button and "Pin ..."), then create a shortcut pointing to the exe file in some other folder (doesn't matter where), then overwrite the pinned shortcut with your manually created shortcut and the icons should be back!

Also try adding this to registry. Reboot to take effect.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoResolveTrack"=dword:00000001

Hello, Callender!

Unfortunately, your methods don't work in my case. I cannot pin the programs, because the drive is disconnected and if I right-click "broken shortcut", the "Pin to..." option is missing from the menu.

As for the registry entry, I have tried, but it does not affect the Windows Installer, which performs forced "broken shortcut" cleanup, which I try to avoid.

Thanks for your suggestions anyway!