Shortcut Target Path Location

**Brink**

How to Change the Target Path Location of a Shortcut in Vista

INFO: The Target is the full path of the original file or folder, usually an EXE file, the shortcut opens.

WHY: When the original file that the shortcut was created for is moved, this can cause the shortcut to lose it's association and no longer open the original file. The shortcut no longer has the correct full path to the original file. You can correct this by changing the target for the shortcut to the new location of the original file.

NOTE: If this fails or you are unable to change the Target, then you can create a new shortcut by right clicking on the original file amd click Create Shortcut. You may need to allow it to place the shortcut on your desktop instead. If this happens, just Move it to where you like after it is created.

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Remove or Change the Shortcut Arrow in Vista

2. How to Change a Default Open Window Size for a Shortcut in Vista

3. How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Program in Vista

4. How To Remove The Shortcut Prefix On The Shortcut Name in Vista

5. How to Change a Shortcut Folder or File Icon in Vista

6. How to Change Windows Explorer Default Open Location

7. How to Change a Personal User Folder Location in Vista

8. How to Copy the Full Path of a File or Folder in Vista

Here's How:
1. Right click on the shortcut and click Properties.
2. Click on the Shortcut tab. (See screenshot below)
3. In the Target field, type the full path of the original file for this shortcut.
4. Click OK to apply.

Shortcut_Properties.jpg

That's it,
Shawn

oneils · 12-28-2007

Hello, is there a way to have a shortcut point to two separate folders?

For instance, I have a "Videos" shortcut that windows vista created by default, that pointed to my "C" drive. Well, I ended up changing it to point to my "F" drive. My "F" drive, however, is now full. So I've had to place other videos on another drive (in this case "G"). Can I make my "Videos" shortcut point to both drives?

Thanks for any help you can give.

**Brink** · 12-28-2007

Hi Oneils,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Sorry, a folder shortcut can only have one folder location as it's source.

You could create another folder shortcut for the G location folder, say Videos 2, and place the shortcut inside the original Videos folder. This way it will be easier to keep together for easy access.

Shawn

oneils · 12-28-2007

Thanks Shawn. Me a sad panda...

Would have been more convenient. But I suspected as much. I like your idea though. I was just going to create two shortcuts for videos in my favourites links. But you're way means my links won't be so cluttered.

Again thanks for the help - you're fast!

**Brink** · 12-28-2007

Your welcome Oneils,

I always try to answer as soon as I can or able to.

Have a great New Years,
Shawn

Arcking · 02-22-2008

Is there anything you can do if the field is greyed out?

About half of my shortcuts (Desktop and Start Menu) do not work - you click on them and nothing happens. I've noticed that this happens with the shortcuts that have options grey-out. Any suggestions?

Works:

Doesn't work:

**Brink** · 02-23-2008

Hi Arking,

Welcome to Vista Fourms.

Is the one that is grayed out a original shortcut that the program made? For a test, see if you can create your own shortcut from the EXE file and modify it's Target path. However, the Target is what the shortcut will open.

Shawn

Arcking · 02-23-2008

They were both made by their respective programs. Is there anyway to change where the gray-out shortcuts point to?

None of the grey-out shortcuts work, so I was wondering if there was a way to remedy this as a whole, or individually.

**Brink** · 02-23-2008

Arking,

Sorry, not from the ones that are grayed out. You may be able to for ones that you manually create shortcuts for though. If you can, then just delete the grayed out ones.

12-28-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,014 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Shortcut Target Path Location Hi Oneils, Welcome to Vista Forums. Sorry, a folder shortcut can only have one folder location as it's source. You could create another folder shortcut for the G location folder, say Videos 2, and place the shortcut inside the original Videos folder. This way it will be easier to keep together for easy access. Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

12-28-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,014 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Shortcut Target Path Location Your welcome Oneils, I always try to answer as soon as I can or able to. Have a great New Years, Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

02-23-2008
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,014 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Shortcut Target Path Location Hi Arking, Welcome to Vista Fourms. Is the one that is grayed out a original shortcut that the program made? For a test, see if you can create your own shortcut from the EXE file and modify it's Target path. However, the Target is what the shortcut will open. Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

02-23-2008
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 13,014 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Shortcut Target Path Location Arking, Sorry, not from the ones that are grayed out. You may be able to for ones that you manually create shortcuts for though. If you can, then just delete the grayed out ones.
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

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12-28-2007
oneils Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Vista Home Premium 32bit Posts: 2	Re: Shortcut Target Path Location Hello, is there a way to have a shortcut point to two separate folders? For instance, I have a "Videos" shortcut that windows vista created by default, that pointed to my "C" drive. Well, I ended up changing it to point to my "F" drive. My "F" drive, however, is now full. So I've had to place other videos on another drive (in this case "G"). Can I make my "Videos" shortcut point to both drives? Thanks for any help you can give.

12-28-2007
oneils Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Vista Home Premium 32bit Posts: 2	Re: Shortcut Target Path Location Thanks Shawn. Me a sad panda... Would have been more convenient. But I suspected as much. I like your idea though. I was just going to create two shortcuts for videos in my favourites links. But you're way means my links won't be so cluttered. Again thanks for the help - you're fast!

02-22-2008
Arcking Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Vista Home Premium 32bit Posts: 15	Re: Shortcut Target Path Location Is there anything you can do if the field is greyed out? About half of my shortcuts (Desktop and Start Menu) do not work - you click on them and nothing happens. I've noticed that this happens with the shortcuts that have options grey-out. Any suggestions? Works: Doesn't work: