Windows 10: Desktop shortcuts go to wrong url.

Hello, Opera is my default browser. Recently my desktop shortcuts will not open.
If I double click on BBC Home News for example I am taken to file:///C:/Users/Romeo/Desktop/BBC%20News%20-%20Home.URL. ( Not Home - BBC News.
I just get a white page with a typewritten message which says -
[InternetShortcut]
URL=Home - BBC News
IDList=
HotKey=0
IconFile=C:\Users\Romeo\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\np0rt41x.default\shortcutCache\6s6g03 BdA9Caax2YNU7ZOw==.ico
IconIndex=0 Any ideas/suggestions welcome thanks.

:)

 

Desktop shortcut URLS all changed to same URL

If this is a recent occurrence then try fixing things via System Restore.

How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista (or 7, or 8).

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/#appliesto

See, Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Recovery\ Open System Restore

You can try the LNK fix at this Windows 8 site, it probably should work in Windows 10.

File Association Fixes for Windows 8

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/file-asso-fixes-for-windows-8/

 

Desktop shortcut URLS all changed to same URL

Hi Mike

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

Please provide more information before we proceed.

-How are you trying to create shortcut for URLs?

- Which browser are you using?

If you are using Internet Explorer, open URL you want to create shortcut for, right click and click Create shortcut and check if it helps.

If the issue is not resolved, I would suggest you to follow these steps and try to reset Internet Explorer:

a. Press Windows key + R then type inetcpl.cpl and press Enter.

b. Under Advanced tab, click on Reset.

c. Check the Delete personal settings box.

d. Click on Reset and then Close.

e. Close all open Internet explorer windows and re-open it.

f. Test the issue.

Reset Internet Explorer disclaimer:

Disclaimer: The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature might reset security settings or privacy settings that you added to the list of Trusted Sites. The Reset Internet
Explorer Settings feature might also reset parental control settings. We recommend that you note these sites before you use the Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature. Also re-enable the add-ons.

Hope this helps. Please reply if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

 

Hi Romeo Hotel. Welcome to the TenForums @Romeo Hotel

If you delete icon and re-create do you get same effect.

Recently did you do any kind of data moves, like from C: to D: or another partition?

Interesting you use Opera but it is grabbing iconfile from Firefox.

Have you tried clearing Opera's cached information, cookies, temporary pages, history, etc.

Ken

 

Hello Ken, thank you for your interest in my problem. I tried deleting and recreating the icon, but got the same result.
I also cleaned Opera's cache as you suggested but that did not help.
I did do something recently on my desktop, but cannot be sure what it was. It was something like right clicking on
the icon brought up a query along the lines of "do you want to always do this", but I can't be sure. What I do know is all the shortcuts
on my desktop suddenly changed to the opera "O".
I have been experimenting and have found that if I add a website to Opera's bookmark bar it works fine, but if I drag same bookmark onto my desktop and try to open it from there a blank page opens with this message-
[InternetShortcut]
URL=Home - BBC News

Do you think that maybe the desktop is corrupted in some way? R.

 

I think you have to concentrated on the "Always do this" comment you made. Great that you remember this and the fact that they all change to "O". I think this is the cause. Now we need to find solution.

Have to find where this stored.

 

If you Start => Settings => Apps => down the left default apps.

When this open look for Choose default by file type.

Scroll down to .lnk files. My default is blank, what is yours?

 

It says "Choose a Default"

 

Darn, that is what mine says.

Do you remember what you right click on.

One possible route back is a System Restore. Is it enable in your system?

 

I would add, could you do the same process you did before for .lnk file types but this time look for .url

Mine says Internet Browser as default.

 

I cannot remember exactly what I right clicked on, but I am sure I was trying to open a shortcut.
I have tried system restore on two different dates, both were unable to complete and changed nothing.

 

Got there eventually, it's like at the airport it is always the last gate.

Default Url is Opera.

 

Ken, I have to go - supper with grand children - will catchup tomorrow.
Regards R.

 

Please take another restore point, altough I'm not sure of their value.

Then could you change .url default to Internet browser (not IE) and see if that changes thing. I will caution you, when you come back to reset if it does nothing I don't believe Opera will be in this list. Take this action understanding the risk.

On my system I use Chrome as default browser. My options for apps on .url are Internet Browser, IE and look for another app.

That is why it is important to have a restore point. Now as System restore is not working a peak efficiency on your system you should take an Image with Macrium Reflect or similar product. It is free, reliable and member recommended. I think the key work is reliable. You might want to practice on another system if you have one lying around.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

I also found this as reference.

Restore Default File Type Associations in Windows 10

Not saying to do it just as reference.


Ken

 

Ken, you are a life saver. I was giving up on the will to live.
I changed the url setting from Opera to Internet Explorer ( Not IE - confusing !) and hey presto all seems to be ok.
Opera works fine and the few icons that now have an"O" work as they should - including BBC.
Many thanks, R.