Vista Tutorial - New Shortcut Fix

**Brink**

How to Restore the New Shortcut Context Menu Item in Vista

Information

If when you right click on the desktop or in a User folder and click on New and Shortcut it does not work, then this will show you how to fix and restore the Shortcut menu item so it will create a new shortcut again.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: New Shortcut in the Context Menu
NOTE: You will only see this context menu item when you right click on a empty space on the desktop and in a nonsystem folder (Ex: C:\Users) Windows Explorer window. If you right on a empty space in a system folder (Ex: C:\Program Files, C:\Windows, etc...} Windows Explorer window, you will only see Folder in the New menu.

Here's How:

1. Click on the download button below to download the New_Shortcut_Fix.reg file.

2. Right click on the New_Shortcut_Fix.reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge to add it to your registry.

3. Click on Run button in the Security Warning prompt.

4. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

5. Click on Yes in the confirmation prompt.

6. Click on OK in the success prompt.

7. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the fix.

8. When done, you can delete the New_Shortcut_Fix.reg on the desktop if you would like to.
NOTE: If the problem still persists, then do a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem.

That's it,
Shawn

**gixykings** · 08-21-2008

Thanks for this wonderful thread. I wonder if there is a way to remove New > Shortcut from context menu permanently. I think this function is unnecessary.

**garysgold** · 08-21-2008

Hi gixykings,

Welcome to the forums.

Try this tutorial: New Menu - Context and File

the extension is .lnk.

Gary

**gixykings** · 08-24-2008

Hi,
I clicked on the link you've posted, but this is not a direct answer to my request. I want to remove "Shortcut" from "New" menu. Because this function is needless and annoying if you click on it instead of "Folder" by mistake.

-----
Edit:

I've tried to change ".lnk" (ShellNew to ShellOld) from "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT". It works well on Vista, but it does not work in XP. I know this is a Vista forum but i guess it would work for XP, too. (I'm using XP Professional on VMware due to the compatibility problems of some important programs.)
-----

Thanks for your post.

**z3r010** · 08-24-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by gixykings

Hi,
I clicked on the link you've posted, but this is not a direct answer to my request. I want to remove "Shortcut" from "New" menu. Because this function is needless and annoying if you click on it instead of "Folder" by mistake.
Thanks for your post.

The tutorial link posted by Gary is the answer to your request.

**garysgold** · 08-24-2008

Hi gixkings,

To remove 'shortcut' from the new menu. Follow the directions at the above link. Use 'Option One', 'step 8'. The file extension you want to remove is .lnk.

Worked for me.

Gary

FiRe5tOrM · 08-16-2009

Was wondering if somebody could help me. I have tried the .reg file posted but I still cannot use the New > Shortcut menu. When I select New Shortcut nothing happens.

Does anybody have any ideas?

Thank you!

**Brink** · 08-16-2009

Hello FiRe5tOrM, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I have updated the reg file download. Please redownload it and give the new one a try to see if may fix it for you afterwards.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

FiRe5tOrM · 08-16-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Hello FiRe5tOrM, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I have updated the reg file download. Please redownload it and give the new one a try to see if may fix it for you afterwards.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thank you!

That works a treat. Greatly appreciated !

Edit: And such a quick response btw, very impressed. Thanks again!

**Brink** · 08-16-2009

You're most welcome FiRe5tOrM. I'm happy to hear it is working now.

08-21-2008
gixykings Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Vista Home Premium 32bit 7 posts	Re: New Shortcut Fix Thanks for this wonderful thread. I wonder if there is a way to remove New > Shortcut from context menu permanently. I think this function is unnecessary.
My System Specs

08-21-2008
garysgold Master Join Date: Mar 2008 Vista Ult 64bit Windows 7 64 bit Server 2008 RC2 850 posts	Re: New Shortcut Fix Hi gixykings, Welcome to the forums. Try this tutorial: New Menu - Context and File the extension is .lnk. Gary
My System Specs

08-24-2008
gixykings Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Vista Home Premium 32bit 7 posts	Re: New Shortcut Fix Hi, I clicked on the link you've posted, but this is not a direct answer to my request. I want to remove "Shortcut" from "New" menu. Because this function is needless and annoying if you click on it instead of "Folder" by mistake. ----- Edit: I've tried to change ".lnk" (ShellNew to ShellOld) from "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT". It works well on Vista, but it does not work in XP. I know this is a Vista forum but i guess it would work for XP, too. (I'm using XP Professional on VMware due to the compatibility problems of some important programs.) ----- Thanks for your post.
My System Specs

08-24-2008
z3r010 I’m a PC Join Date: Oct 2005 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 21,379 posts	Re: New Shortcut Fix Quote: Originally Posted by gixykings Hi, I clicked on the link you've posted, but this is not a direct answer to my request. I want to remove "Shortcut" from "New" menu. Because this function is needless and annoying if you click on it instead of "Folder" by mistake. Thanks for your post. The tutorial link posted by Gary is the answer to your request.
My System Specs

08-24-2008
garysgold Master Join Date: Mar 2008 Vista Ult 64bit Windows 7 64 bit Server 2008 RC2 850 posts	Re: New Shortcut Fix Hi gixkings, To remove 'shortcut' from the new menu. Follow the directions at the above link. Use 'Option One', 'step 8'. The file extension you want to remove is .lnk. Worked for me. Gary
My System Specs

08-16-2009
FiRe5tOrM Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Vista Home Premium 32bit 2 posts	Was wondering if somebody could help me. I have tried the .reg file posted but I still cannot use the New > Shortcut menu. When I select New Shortcut nothing happens. Does anybody have any ideas? Thank you!
My System Specs

08-16-2009
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,812 posts	Hello FiRe5tOrM, and welcome to Vista Forums. I have updated the reg file download. Please redownload it and give the new one a try to see if may fix it for you afterwards. Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

08-16-2009
FiRe5tOrM Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Vista Home Premium 32bit 2 posts	Quote: Originally Posted by Brink Hello FiRe5tOrM, and welcome to Vista Forums. I have updated the reg file download. Please redownload it and give the new one a try to see if may fix it for you afterwards. Hope this helps, Shawn Thank you! That works a treat. Greatly appreciated ! Edit: And such a quick response btw, very impressed. Thanks again!
My System Specs

Similar Threads
Tutorial	Category
shortcut on desktop - deleting the word "shortcut"	Vista General
Desktop Shortcut Icons are not actually Shortcut Icons	Vista file management
Log Off Shortcut	Vista account administration
How do you change the target of the shortcut or shortcut command l	Vista General
Removing "Shortcut" word after creating a shortcut?	Vista file management