New Dell laptop running Windows 7 and IE8. Shortcuts to internet sites created and put on the desktop do not work. Have tried and number of sugestions we found when we googled the problem. Nothing works.

Hi AnnettePK, Why not try a different way? Click Start>Help and Support and type Favorites Bar. You will see "what is the favorites bar?" "Show or Hide the Favorites Bar" "Customize the Favorites Bar" in the results which will explain how to use it. Once you show it in IE8, you can drag and drop a current url or web address to the bar. Saving your shortcuts to favorite or web sites that you are currently visiting puts them one click away in the Favorites Bar in IE8 without cluttering your desktop. Alternatively, If you wish to have shortcuts on the desktop, save\add the web address to the favorites in IE8, minimize the IE8 window, click on favorites, select the shortcut that want on the desktop and click and drag it to the desktop. Save your shortcuts in IE8 first, then you can manage where you access them.

Hi, Thanks for your post! I want to confirm some information with you firstly. 1. Are all the shortcuts unavailable or there only some of them? 2. What is the detaild symptom or error message? The shortcuts cannot launch or the target webpages cannot display? Please enter Safe Mode with networking to see if the issue persists. I suspect there are some malwares or third-party software affect your computer. In addition, try to create a new user account as an administrator and check if the problems still there. Best Regards, Miya YaoThis posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. | Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" on the post that helps you, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

I'd like to see this trouble report marked as unanswered and re-opened. I have a new Windows 7 system with IE 9. All Windows updates have been applied. Yet I'm having the same problem reported by AnnettePK. Naturally, I think Windows users would prefer a fix over a work-around. Although my system is new and "barely used," I have the same problem: URL shortcuts on the Desktop -- and perhaps in other locations, too -- do not work. As I said "barely used," I suppose that lacks precise meaning, but it's meant to indicate that I haven't made many changes, adjustments, or customizations. However, it might help to mention that I installed the latest version of Mozilla Firefox and I also made Firefox my default browser. By the way -- I've seen other such trouble reports in this forum and I've seen someone posted a series of Registry edits that reportedly fixes this problem. I'm not afraid to make Registry edits -- automated edits or manual ones -- but I very much prefer that recommended Registry edits come from a trusted Microsoft source. Thanks in advance!

Hi TonyM408, It is always better to create your own thread when an existing thread doesn't provide the solution. Cluttering the desktop with shortcuts isn't the best way, but if that is what you are comfortable with then that's what we have to resolve. I would try the methods and solutions listed on this Firefox support page: http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/create-desktop-shortcut-website?s=shortcuts+won%27t+work&r=2&as=s There it describes the method of creating a desktop shortcut using Firefox and which add-ins that you may need. Finally, their forums would most likely be better to resolve your issue. I would suggest that you delete the the desktop shortcuts, uninstall Firefox, reboot, make IE 9 the default browser, recreate a shortcut and test. This will rule out whether Firefox is the issue. Then, download and install Firefox from a fresh file. The solution is simpler than registry edits, I would not recommend going there. Please post your results and a link to your new thread. Good luck!

Hello, Nano Warp, I'll happily take your reply as an answer. While I'm not certain whether moderators re-opened this trouble report, I'm going to use the Propose As Answer function, if available. Your advice seems reasonable. I also must say thanks for noticing my post as well as for taking the time to post such a clear, well-written solution. Thank you for your time and have a good one! Tony M.

Well, it's only the beginning to determine why you are having the problem with the shortcuts. Please post again after the problem is resolved or still exists to assist others with the actual solution. Glad to help you begin the road to shortcuts. :-)