Solved Administrative Tools Path in Control Panel : Error Not Available

[BobKoz]

Administrative Tools Path/Location issue

I've read a lot of posts here and on other sites and my issue seems to come up a lot, but I can't seem to find the correct solution.

In my Control Panel I can see 'Administrative Tools', when I click on it I get the Error: 'Location is not available'
Here is the location it's looking for: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

When using 'Windows Explorer' (Show Hidden Files Enabled) there is no 'Administrative Tools' Folder:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\

My computer is brand new with only a few programs installed to date. I'm not sure if this was working when I received the PC or not, but my guess would be I caused the problem. I'm coming from 'Windows XP' Machines and not that familiar with Windows 7 file structure. I am use to just dragging and dropping items in my Start Menu - Programs and Accessories so that programs/folders are customized for my use.

I think I caused the problem when I moved 'Administrative Tools' a week ago by Dragging and Dropping from my Start Menu - Programs, and moved to my Accessories. I checked it's location and it states it's here:
C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Administrative Tools

I don't really want to start tweaking my registry by changing the Control Panels Administrative Tools location, it could mess up future Windows Updates. I'm not just looking for a fix here, I'm looking for an education so this doesn't happen again.

I though Dragging and Dropping the 'Administrative Tools' folder back to 'Programs' from 'Accessories would fix the problem, but No - it just changed it's Path/location in the Start Menu with no change in the Control Panel::
C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools
I can switch it back and forth all day, it doesn't fix my Control Panel 'Administrative Tools' Path

My first first question is:
1)
Should I move the 'Administrative Tools' Folder and contents to the Control Panel Location (it should repair linking there)?
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

And then opening Properties - Location on 'Administrative Tools' my Start Menu and give it the same path?
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools


If the above isn't a good solution, can anyone offer something better?
I also want to make sure it's not going to back-fire with future OS Updates..

Thanks,

 

[Brink]

Hello Bob, and welcome to Seven Forums.

That's correct. Moving your Administrative Tools folder is what broke it, and is why you are getting the error message. Moving the Administrative Tools folder back to the location below should sort it for you.

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

In addition: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/29965-administrative-tools-restore-shortcuts.html

 

[BobKoz]

Thanks Brink,

I guess I really needed to know if the proper location for the 'Administrative Tools' was:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools

Thank you for the Welcome and the prompt reply!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Bob.