Desktop Shortcuts Disappear
Hi All,I hope somebody can help.I have a single, Windows 7 test Pc setup on my SBS 2003 server network. The PC conforms to all specs required for running Windows 7.My problem is that each Monday when I come into the office all my shortcuts that point to files on the network server have disappeared. I suspect that Windows 7 is deleting the shortcut due to a break in the network link but is this a option that can be turned off ?By the way the shortcuts are not in the recycle bin. To overcome the problem I have placed a copy of each shortcut in a separate folder on the desktop and each Monday morning i copy them back to the desktop.I have searched through the forums but I can't find anybody else reporting this error.RegardsBruce
April 15th, 2009 5:45am

Bruce - That doesn't sound like typical Windows behavior.. Normally, when Windows loses connectivity to a server, it will leaves the shortcuts exactly where they were. If the shortcut is to a networked application that's installed to the server, the icon may change to a default "I can't find the icon" icon, but it's still there, waiting for a reconnection to the server. Icons are not normally removed without permission (i.e. the Windows Desktop clean-up utility). I do have a few questions - however - that may sort out what's going on here. 1.) On Friday, do you completely power down your Windows 7 computer? 2.) Do you use roaming profiles for your Win 7 box?3.) Is the server likewise powered down over the weekend?4.) Do you use secure passwords for your network?5.) If so, does anyone else have access to your password?
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April 15th, 2009 6:19am

Hello Bruce, For info: Could you have a look at this thread here about See answers for my shortcuts that point to files on the network server have disappeared http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-7583-user-icons-suddenly-resize-or-disappear
April 15th, 2009 5:44pm

I just wanted to say that I have the exact same problem as Bruce. Windows 7 test PC on a domain at work. I have a lot of icons on the desktop. Some of them are shortcuts to applications installed on the PC and others are shortcuts to directories or files on the network. Just like Bruce, all the shortcuts to files and directories on the network disappear all of a sudden. I'm not sure yet if it only happens on Monday like him butI justgot the problem again this morning and coincidentally it ISMonday morning. I'll try to pay attention to that and see if it only happens after the weekend.To answer the questions from Wolfie2k6:1- On Friday, I do not power down Windows 7, I just lock my session and leave.2- No roaming profiles.3- Serversare not powered down on the weekends.4- Yes, I believe we use secure passwords.5- Nobody has access to my password.Thanks,Eric
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May 25th, 2009 4:15pm

Same problem here.... Windows 7 RC (not on a domain) Icons shortcut to NAS, and on monday, no more shortcuts on the desktop
May 25th, 2009 7:40pm

I have the same problem. I think itis a Windows7problem only.
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June 1st, 2009 2:01pm

I have the same bug on RC1 7100 x86.I followed the links above, but can't find a solution or even a workaround.Edit: My problem was a little bit different to Bruce' problem, but I found a solution that works for me and maybe could help you. On my desktop are several shortcuts. Some point to programs or folders located on c:\ (system partition)and some point to portable programs which are located on my external USB drive. (no network drive, but maybe...) Only shortcuts to programs on the external drive disappear randomly. Mostly once a week. Whats the difference between these two groups? The security options?!Most folders and programs on my USB drive were stored there months ago and with the previous OS (winXP) and a different user. I delete all old (unknown) user-ID entrys, which no longer exists, because winXP isn't in use anymore, and retake ownership of all files and folders. Only the following 4 entrys (which all newly created files on c:\ have) now exists on files where my disappearing shortcuts point to: user,system, admin, authorized user No disappearing shortcuts anymore for 3 weeks :)
June 7th, 2009 4:16pm

Hello Bruce,Have you been able to resolve your question? Please let us know if you need further assistance.-Scott
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June 11th, 2009 11:09pm

Monday again .... :-)Network shortcuts deleted again .... :-(
June 22nd, 2009 10:41am

I wanted to chime in on this as well. I just installed Windows 7 RC on a new Dell Optiplex 960 last week. Here it is the first Monday after that install and all but three of my desktop shortcuts are gone. Hmmmm very strange. What's with Mondays? Mark
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June 29th, 2009 10:58pm

Hello Markc13,Were any updates or software installed prior to the disappearing icons?-Scott
July 1st, 2009 5:48am

I have a similar problem, though i am on a network this is not related to network shortcuts, i usually dont have any shortcuts in my desktop, i kinda put them in the taskbar or rocketdock, but as of this morning any new shortcuts/programs/files i create/copy/move does not appear on my desktop, my desktop is completely blank, though all those files are visible via the desktop folder in my profile... so this means that the files are there, they simply aint visible in my dekstop... using windows 7 RC Build 7100 x64, anyone know of a fix?
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July 11th, 2009 8:39pm

Right-click your desktop, then click View, then in the flyout, checkmark Show Desktop Icons. LMAO! OMG dude.......... thanks heaps, i am such a nooob, he he he
July 11th, 2009 9:08pm

Same problem :( But this in Window 7 ultimate (Version 6.1.7600). This is really annoying. Is there a cure for this? Luka
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September 8th, 2009 1:46am

Same here.Shortcuts I have createdmyself to documents are frequently gone.... shortcuts to programs stay...Anyone any clue or solution? I run Windows 7 Professional RTMQuestion also posted here:http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprogeneral/thread/ada5d392-2af7-43c3-9191-08baf63f0098Thanks,Marko- www.mybrain.nl -
September 22nd, 2009 12:01pm

Add me to the list, except that it happens after midnight on Sunday AM. Using Windows 7 b7100 Ultimate, 64bit. All shortcuts are to local drives, programs are in place. This is about my only complaint with Win 7, but it is a major problem for a operating system that is going to market. Any solutions? The error is reported in event viewer as maintenance diagnosis and this is one of the events. - Provider [ Name ] Microsoft-Windows-Diagnosis-Scheduled [ Guid ] {40AB57C2-1C53-4DF9-9324-FF7CF898A02C} EventID 10 Version 0 Level 4 Task 0 Opcode 0 Keywords 0x8000000800000000 - TimeCreated [ SystemTime ] 2009-09-27T06:36:30.642268600Z EventRecordID 38 Correlation - Execution [ ProcessID ] 5056 [ ThreadID ] 1128 Channel Microsoft-Windows-Diagnosis-Scheduled/Operational Computer I7 - Security [ UserID ] S-1-5-21-3983105259-3387075409-490543183-1001 - EventData RootCauseID RC_BrokenShortcuts/DefaultInstanceId ResolutionID RC_BrokenShortcuts/DefaultInstanceId/RS_RemoveShortcuts
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September 27th, 2009 10:39am

Windows 7 Start Menu > Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler > (upper left corner) Task Scheduler (Local) > Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Diagnosis > (right pane) Name: Scheduled Location: \Microsoft\Windows\Diagnosis Right click on Scheduled > Disabled. You're welcome :) As answered here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itproinstall/thread/8b99b1b6-4213-4a2f-a6f9-e3b8f21ba960 http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprogeneral/thread/ada5d392-2af7-43c3-9191-08baf63f0098
September 28th, 2009 9:15pm

Bruce,I just installed a fresh new copy of Windows 7 and I am experiencing same issue as yours. Except that it doesn't happen on Monday morning or so but every time I leave my computer running unattended for couple of hours, I come back and see that windows is running an application in the background while my system is idle. This application is wiping out most of the shortcuts I created on my desktop. I am suspecting that this is the behavior of Windows Defender and I am still monitoring the issue. This is Microsoftattitude with every OS theyintroduce theycreate a flick...Will update you when I find a resolution.Charles
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October 27th, 2009 12:37am

Lionhawk, I have a user who is experiencing the exact same problem. They leave for lunch on Monday, and when they come back, the desktop network shortcuts have all disappeared. This has been a reoccurring problem for her for some time now.
December 1st, 2009 12:26am

I have the same problem. I have a brand new Dell PC running 64 bit Windows 7 Home edition which I booted up for the first time one week ago. Last night (a Thursday evening), while I was working, more than half of my shortcuts disappeared. All were shortcuts to executables on the C: drive. I wasn't doing anything special at the time. I had created a new user account and had logged into the new account, then switched back to my own account. I didn't notice the missing shortcuts until after I closed some windows. I'm not aware of any pattern in the shortcuts themselves. Some were to programs in C:\Program Files (x86) and others were to programs in C:\Program Files.
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December 4th, 2009 6:48pm

Right click on your screen (blank area)Viewselect SHOW DESKTOP ICONSThey did no go away, they are not shown
December 12th, 2009 1:16am

Obviously this is a serious bug. I have it on all my computers, 32 bit and 64 bit. If Microsoft has known about it since April it seems like a fix should be available by now - unless they are calling it a feature. :-(cheryl
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December 12th, 2009 5:07am

Add me to the list of users with this problem. I've also posted in this thread:http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itproappcompat/thread/d4a0276b-cd6c-4d57-b8e5-961a32d4f559I will post in every related thread until I find an answer and solution! It is a horribly frustrating bug!
December 12th, 2009 5:49pm

Bruce, You are not alone. I have the same problem. Just bought a new DELL with Windows 7 Home Premium (for my wife). Set up all the shortcuts to point to folders, etc. (*&%^(^ shortcust disappeared off desktop. Yes, I just wrote an entire diatribe about the idiocy and incompetence at Microsoft and deleted it because... what's the point. I'm going to turn off the diagnosis thing-- thanks a lot for the suggestion from c627627 about turning off "diagnosis". Will this stop the security fixes and will my windows update not run now? Thanks! David
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December 21st, 2009 3:30am

Right click on your screen (blank area)Viewselect SHOW DESKTOP ICONSThey did no go away, they are not shown Thanks so much for this - it may be an annoyance but at least its an easy fix and it worked! Thanks again :)
December 23rd, 2009 7:42pm

Nope. That is checked. It is still happening on both 32 bit and 64 bit computers with Win 7. I think I have tried everything suggested here.cheryl
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February 13th, 2010 2:18am

Hi guys...I have a similar problem, though i am on a network this is not related to network shortcuts, i usually dont have any shortcuts in my desktop. I resolve it:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978980/en-us:)A.
February 17th, 2010 7:31pm

Hi guys, I found the cause of the misteriously disappearing Windows 7 desktop icons and the reason why Show desktop icons now and then gets unchecked. It’s INFRARECORDER !! Try for yourselves, when you start Infrarecorder and close it again, go have a look at “Show desktop icons”, it is unchecked (but the icons are still there). Check it on again and start Infrarecorder…. it is unchecked again. This Windows 7 “bug” is irritating me since the beginning and now I found the cause: It’s Infrarecorder which is causing this problem. Test it, please let me know and spread the news :-)
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February 21st, 2010 3:18pm

Hi guys, I found the cause of the misteriously disappearing Windows 7 desktop icons and the reason why Show desktop icons now and then gets unchecked. It’s INFRARECORDER !! Try for yourselves, when you start Infrarecorder and close it again, go have a look at “Show desktop icons”, it is unchecked (but the icons are still there). Check it on again and start Infrarecorder…. it is unchecked again. This Windows 7 “bug” is irritating me since the beginning and now I found the cause: It’s Infrarecorder which is causing this problem. Test it, please let me know and spread the news :-) Nogeffedan, I want to thank you for this. I have been so scratching my head about this why my "show desktop icons" get unchecked occasionally. Yeah, infrarecorder seems to be causing it. I hope this will get fixed whether it's a microsoft or infrarec bug (I assume no program should have that kind of privileges to mess up with the desktop). cheers
February 28th, 2010 11:48pm

Hi guys... I have a similar problem, though i am on a network this is not related to network shortcuts, i usually dont have any shortcuts in my desktop. I resolve it: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978980/en-us :) A. Instead of doing this, or disabling the "Diagnosis" scheduled task (effectively the same thing), as mentioned up the thread, I found a half measure that may be more appealing. The system maintenance task, as seen in Control Panel, does more than delete broken shortcut icons. It also deletes those unused for 3 months (a feature I very much dislike); frees up disk space taken by troubleshooting history, logs, and error reports; checks to see if the system time is out of whack; and checks for disk volume errors. So it is of some use. In the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), you can drill down into Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/System/Troubleshooting and Diagnostics/Scheduled Maintenance. There you'll find Configure Scheduled Maintenance Behavior , Not Configured by default. Its function is below. What I've done is re-enabled what I had disabled in Q978980 and set this policy entry to "Troubleshooting Only." Determines whether scheduled diagnostics will run to proactively detect and resolve system problems. If you enable this policy setting, you must choose an execution level. If you choose detection and troubleshooting only , Windows will periodically detect and troubleshoot problems. The user will be notified of the problem for interactive resolution. If you choose detection, troubleshooting and resolution, Windows will resolve some of these problems silently without requiring user input. If you disable this policy setting, Windows will not be able to detect, troubleshoot or resolve problems on a scheduled basis. If you do not configure this policy setting, local troubleshooting preferences will take precedence, as configured in the control panel. If no local troubleshooting preference is configured, scheduled diagnostics are enabled for detection, troubleshooting and resolution by default. No reboots or service restarts are required for this policy to take effect: changes take effect immediately. This policy setting will only take effect when the Task Scheduler service is in the running state. When the service is stopped or disabled, scheduled diagnostics will not be executed. The Task Scheduler service can be configured with the Services snap-in to the Microsoft Management Console.
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March 4th, 2010 5:47am

Don't know what Infrarecorder is. I did a search, nothing came up. My icons totally go away and have to be replaced.cheryl
March 8th, 2010 12:12am

Hi guys...I have a similar problem, though i am on a network this is not related to network shortcuts, i usually dont have any shortcuts in my desktop. I resolve it:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978980/en-us:)A. Thanks jackpry :-) As for you, Microsoft, if you're reading this, this is what I have to say to you: Where have the short-cuts gone? Why didn't they go into the Recyle Bin?why wasn't I asked first if I want them deleted? This is a breach of human rights, I have the right to decide for myself, I do not want a computer making the decision for me!!
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March 23rd, 2010 5:32pm

Here's a link that explains the problem and gives a few possible solutions. http://www.ghacks.net/2010/03/30/fix-windows-7-desktop-shortcuts-disappearing/
March 31st, 2010 3:48pm

Our IT guy found that it is a program called INFRARECORDER in windows 7. We have still have not found a resolution, have any of you?
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April 15th, 2010 4:12pm

That version of the problem is mentioned a couple times in the thread. InfraRecorder is not updated often at all, and considering that there are so many alternatives that are (ImgBurn, CDBurnerXP, etc), there's no point in using it. Uninstall it.
April 15th, 2010 5:41pm

I HATE this problem. I've got Windows 7 on my laptop which is connected to my XP desktop via wireless router. My laptop has about two dozen desktop shortcuts to drives and folders on my networked desktop. Occasionally my laptop will lose its wireless connection and if the stupid System Maintenance goes to work during that time, it will delete ALL those shortcuts without prompting. Unbelievably irritating behavior!! I've disabled the Windows 7 System Maintenance, but I don't like this solution. Come on, Microsoft. Get it together, Please.
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May 3rd, 2010 3:44am

Dimetrodon, check my post from early March.
May 3rd, 2010 3:57am

Hey guys, Would just like to confirm that the program called Infrarecorder was causing an issue. As if all the malware it installs isn't enough, it kills your desktop items. Great. Cheers, -neki
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May 11th, 2010 10:00pm

That works. I haven't been through next Monday yet but I can see that it will work. Congrats on being so economical with words
August 2nd, 2010 5:57pm

Hi guys! I was goin' crazy with disappearing icons & start\task bar. Tried all suggestions - nothing worked, was about to take my computer back or throw it out the window! Strangely enough, my problems all started after putting win7 on & it all worked fine until I changed the desktop from the win logo, to a lovely scene - which in the end, lead me to believe it had something to do with the wallpapers & the transparent thing! Long story short, I opened desktop & downloaded 3 new wallpapers in the 'aero' thing - such as "space" & with the download I believe came the drivers it needed to make the new wallpapers work & 'transparent' & in doing so, fixed the disappearing icon problem! Therefore, I believe the transparent thing is not transparent without the correct drivers & is actually sitting on top of the icons so you can't see them! This explains why my laptop never had the problem - no doubt cos it already had the correct drivers for the transparency to work! It's all fixed & has been working fine for a few days now, so hope it helps you!
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August 14th, 2010 9:55am

Hello i have this issue too: My shortcuts are to system and to administrative tools. So shortcuts to local objects. Sometimes they simply disappear and i have to reput them in desktop. My latest action was a windows7 memory test. After logging in, my shortcuts gone.
August 29th, 2010 11:24pm

I am having the same problem as BruceTerry and Tekops. I have Win 7 Ultimate x64 and a ReadyNAS. I put shortcuts for my readyNAS on my desktop. Every Monday the shortcuts to my ReadyNAS dissappear from my desktop. None of my other shortcuts or icons on the desktop are affected. I do not have Infrarecorder installed. This is a clean install. the Right click > show icons is always checked. This some win 7 cleanup routine. Mrgcav@gmail.com EEI.vstore.com Explanation of cause : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978980/en-us FOUND ANSWER: http://www.ghacks.net/2010/03/30/fix-windows-7-desktop-shortcuts-disappearing/
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September 15th, 2010 5:09am

Just joined the throng of new Windows 7 head-bangers! Thanks to rseiler for that seriously helpful solution; I'm going with the "maintenance off" solution for the moment, but c627627's scheduler solution is also appealing. No trace of InfraRecorder in my box (Win 7 Pro - brand new clean install).mellors
October 17th, 2010 2:26pm

I have the same problem. Check out this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978980 It answers the question.
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October 20th, 2010 4:53pm

That is a NOT a FIX it's a Band-Aid
November 23rd, 2010 7:43pm

For those working in corporate environments here's my blog post how to control this via GPO. http://www.verboon.info/index.php/2010/11/control-windows-7-scheduled-maintenance-behavior-through-group-policy/ Hope it's useful. Alex
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November 24th, 2010 1:36am

Hello, still have the problem that shortcuts to system or administrative tools or whatever from system control, disappear sporadically.
December 14th, 2010 5:11pm

I've had this same problem since I first installed Windows 7. It's not from any CD burner or anything; it happens with Windows itself. I think it's clearing off icons that aren't valid at the time it checks them (if I'm not logged in, say, I don't think the server icons are valid), and maybe ones not accessed lately. This is a horrible, horrible misfeature. There should have been a hotfix getting rid of this the first week it was discovered. It's things like this that give Windows it's horrible reputation for being flakey and awful. For more than a year (and counting) we've had people all over the place complaining that their desktop setup mysteriously loses information, repeatedly; and it's still not fixed, at best there are a few difficult workarounds If you can find whose idea this was in the first place, they really need to be fired, along with whatever management approved it. This is a completely insane thing to do to your users' setups. It violates ALL the rules about who should be in charge of what on a personal computer. I'm going to try messing with the policy settings, to see if I can keep my icons without losing the cleanup and diagnostics functions. We'll see.
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January 1st, 2011 11:18pm

Ok let me break it down for all you network admin and have this machine logging in on a DOMAIN. Go to your Active Directory - Select the user you are trying to log in under - Click Properties - Select Member of - Remove Domain Guests - Reboot Workstation - Create a test folder on the destop and log off. - Then log back on and the folder is still on the desktop - FIXED
March 6th, 2011 9:08pm

I have this problem to on both of my toshiba laptops. Im not sure if it happends to all toshiba laptops or it just happend to windows 7 operating systems but i have had windows 7 on other laptops that was not toshiba and never had this problem with them so i asume its somthing to do with toshiba setting. Its happend to me when i have left my laptop on untouched for longer than 10 minutes so im thinking its a setting that can be changed
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May 2nd, 2011 4:13pm

Thank you!!!!
May 17th, 2011 4:51pm

Listen guys.. The answer to you problem is right here... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978980 Windows automatically removes 'broken link icons' from the desktop during its weekly maintenance... You might have a shortcut pointing to a USB drive or network drive, and if this USB or Network drive is not present during the maintenance cycle, it will assume that the shortcut is bad.. If there are more than 4 of these 'bad' shortcuts, it runs a cleanup and removes them all !! I just disabled the maintenance by following the instructions found on the link above.
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May 30th, 2011 4:54pm

F5 will also do the trick if the focus is on the desktop.
June 21st, 2011 9:00pm

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