Cannot Add Shortcut to All Users Startup Folder
Clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate Running as an Administrator Open All Users Startup folder. Open folder with executable I want to create a shortcut to. Right click on executable and select copy Right click on All Users Startup Folder and select paste shortcut Get error dialog box: [Window Title] Shortcut [Content] Windows can't create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead? [Yes] [No] Checked security settings for folder. Effective permissions for the userid I am using include Full Control. If this is a UAC issue the system should provide the UAC popup not just block the action. If I select paste instead of paste shortcut I get the UAC prompt and can paste the executable. However, if I right click on the executable in the All Users Startup folder and select delete the system does not display the UAC prompt -- it simply deletes the executable. There appears to be a bug in the handling of the All Users program menu as: 1. You cannot paste a shortcut at all. 2. You can paste an executable via a UAC prompt 3. You can delete an executable without a UAC prompt Only (2) above appears to be functioning correctly. (1) above is a bug and (3) above is a security hole. Is this a known bug / security issue and if so when is it likely to be addressed?http://www.saberman.com
June 30th, 2012 6:09pm

Hi, I found that you can still copy the shortcut use the option paste and the icon shows as shortcut, not the executable itself, so you can just use paste instead of using Paste Shortcut. In addition, when you delete it in this folder, is equal to delete a shortcut not the program, so the UAC no need to prompt. Thank you for your understanding. Regards Vincent Wang TechNet Community Support
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July 2nd, 2012 4:37am

I found that you can still copy the shortcut use the option paste and the icon shows as shortcut, not the executable itself, so you can just use paste instead of using Paste Shortcut. In addition, when you delete it in this folder, is equal to delete a shortcut not the program, so the UAC no need to prompt. Thank you for your understanding. I do not understand what you are talking about. If I right click on the executable and then right click in the All Users Startup folder and select paste a copy of the executable is inserted into the folder not a shortcut. I used a small executable -- 40 KB. After the paste completes it is in the folder -- all 40 KB. If I open a DOS window in the directory and use the Dir command I see the executable not a shortcut. When I right click on the executable in the All Users Startup folder and select delete the executable is deleted from the folder. Do you want me to turn on Problem Recorder and record the steps? If so where should I upload the record?http://www.saberman.com
July 2nd, 2012 10:37pm

Hi, You can create a shortcut for executable in other folder and then copy it to All Users Startup folder, then the shortcut could be saved. Regards Vincent Wang TechNet Community Support
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July 4th, 2012 9:42pm

You can create a shortcut for executable in other folder and then copy it to All Users Startup folder, then the shortcut could be saved. I know that. My question was whether or not this is a known problem/security hole and whether or not Microsoft has classified this as a bug? http://www.saberman.com
July 5th, 2012 1:05pm

Hi, This issue can be also reproduced in my lab. However, you can still create a shortcut for executable in other folder and then copy it to All Users Startup folder as a workaround. Regards Vincent Wang TechNet Community Support
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July 10th, 2012 2:59am

>This issue can be also reproduced in my lab. Ok -- but the question still is: whether or not this is a known problem/security hole and whether or not Microsoft has classified this as a bug? Has Microsoft classified this as a bug or a feature?http://www.saberman.com
July 11th, 2012 3:16am

Hi, We will report this feedback to proper department. Thanks you for your feedbacks Regards Vincent Wang TechNet Community Support
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July 15th, 2012 9:44pm

I ran into this same issue when trying to add a particular program shortcut to the "All Users" Startup on Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. Here is the solution I found While logged into the server console via RDP: Right-click the executable for which you would like to create the shortcutChoose "Create shortcut" - in my case it told me it could not create the shortcut there (subfolder of Program Files (x86)) and offered to place it on the desktop. Accept this and place it on the desktop.Right-click the newly created shortcut and select CutClick Start -> All Programs.Right-click Startup and choose Explore All UsersRight-click in the right-hand pane and choose Paste.Accept the UAC warning and you're done. So apparently you are blocked from CREATING a shortcut in that folder, but you can copy an existing one there with no problems. Edit: I see this is the same solution that Vincent suggested, just in fewer words. Sorry for the redundant post.
August 13th, 2012 3:28pm

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