Attempt to transfer XP desktop shortcuts to Windows 7 PC failed

[justkay]

I have alot of desktop shortcuts on my older XP system & wanted to copy them to my new Windows 7 PC. I successfully copied them onto my external hard drive, powered off, reconnected the external hard drive to my Windows 7 PC & powered on. I then copied the desktop shortcut file to the apporpriate place (C:\(user)\desktop folder. It looked like it worked but whenever I try to open one by selecting it, all I get is a blank IE 9 screen. There is no address for the website. Yet, when I look at the properties of a shortcut, it displays the full website address.

What am I doing wrong? Hopefully I will not have to enter each one in manually.

 

[AddRAM]

What are you trying to copy ? Favorites ?

You have to copy ( import ) your favorites from your user account in XP to your favorites in W7.

 

[justkay]

I already successfully copied my favorites over. What I am trying to do now is to simply copy the desktop shortcuts (icons) I have on my XP system. Most of these are not actually in my favorites.

 

[alphanumeric]

Shortcuts to what exactly?

 

[justkay]

Primarily to websites that I frequent. I create them while I am on a website by using the File drop down menu of Internet Explorer & then choose "send", then "shortcut to Desktop".

 

[AddRAM]

You have to create them from 7. Why aren`t you just adding the favorites menu to your start menu ? ( It would be 2 clicks ) Why are you cluttering up your desktop with icons ?

 

[justkay]

I am sorry to hear that I will have to recreate them. It has been very convenient just to use that send to desktop ability in XP. I like having my most commonly used websites right there where I can easily find them.
I guess what I can do to minimize the amount of work for me is to create a saved favorite in XP for each of those desktop icons I want in 7 & then copy that file to the apporpriate favorite folder in 7. Then create a desktop shortcut for any one that I want visible on my desktop.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

You have to create them from 7. Why aren`t you just adding the favorites menu to your start menu ? ( It would be 2 clicks ) Why are you cluttering up your desktop with icons ?

I'm thinking the OP is just keeping a few easily accessed icons on the desktop for the most frequently visited websites.

 

[AddRAM]

I totally understand what the OP is trying to do, thanks.

 

[whs]

There is a much easier way. When you are on a website that you want to retain, click the yellow star at the beginning of your Favorites bar. Then right click on the taskbar > Toolbars > check 'Links". Now you will see all links that are in the Favorites bar when you click on the chevrons next to Links in the taskbar.

Btw, if your Favorites bar is not showing, right click on the top frame of the IE window and check 'Favorites bar'.