Troubleshooting: Creating a Desktop Shortcut for a Web Browser (Win7 Pro) - Not Making an .lnk Arrow

Troubleshooting: Creating Desktop Shortcut for Web Browser (Win7 Pro) - Not Making .lnk Arrow

If you've been working on creating a desktop shortcut for your web browser on Windows 7 Professional, but the little arrow that indicates a shortcut isn't appearing, you're not alone. This article will help you troubleshoot and solve the problem.

Why is the .lnk Arrow Not Appearing?

The .lnk arrow is a small icon that appears on the lower left corner of a shortcut icon, indicating that it is indeed a shortcut. When creating a desktop shortcut for a web browser, sometimes the arrow doesn't appear, even if the shortcut itself is working correctly. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Incorrect file associations
• Corrupted user profile
• Outdated system files

Solving the Problem

Here are some steps you can take to solve the problem:

Step 1: Check File Associations

Make sure that the file association for the .lnk file type is set correctly. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop
2. Select Personalize
3. Click on Change desktop icons
4. Scroll down and click on .lnk
5. Make sure the box next to .lnk is checked
6. Click OK

Step 2: Create a New User Profile

If the problem persists, try creating a new user profile. This can help if the problem is caused by a corrupted user profile. To create a new user profile, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button
2. Type User Accounts in the search bar and press Enter
3. Click on Manage another account
4. Click on Create a new account
5. Enter a name for the new account and click Create Account
6. Log out of your current account and log in to the new account
7. Try creating a desktop shortcut for your web browser in the new account

Step 3: Update System Files

If the problem still isn't solved, try updating your system files. This can help if the problem is caused by outdated system files. To update your system files, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button
2. Type Command Prompt in the search bar
3. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
4. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
5. Wait for the scan to complete
6. Restart your computer

References

• Microsoft Support: How to Create Desktop Shortcuts in Windows 7
• TechRepublic: Troubleshoot Desktop Shortcut Issues in Windows 7
• Super User: How to Make the Shortcut Arrow Appear on Desktop Shortcuts

This article was last updated on March 20, 2023.