Windows 10: How do I stop win 11 from changing the target of a shortcut I have created?

I created a desktop shortcut to my documents, which I have stored in the usual C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents. However, when I try to use the shortcut key I assigned it: alt+ctrl+D, Win11 changes the path. I know the path I have used to create the shortcut is correct. If I double click on the shortcut folder it goes where I want. However when I try to use the shortcut key I assigned to the shortcut, it doesn't go to the target I set and changes the path. I don't want to use the cloud, so I don't want my documents in that path.I am setting up a new Win 11 computer for a blind friend who has

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Target of file shortcuts in no longer present when using explorer in Window 11

II have an external HD that contains a lot of data. On that HD I have some folders created containing shortcuts to many folders on that same HD. These shortcuts all worked fine when using the HD with my old laptop running on Win 10

When I connect my external HD to my new laptop using Windows 11, about 30% of the shortcuts are dead (the info in the target box is empty) and the icon has changed the "blank piece of paper one", not the default shortcut icon anymore.

Any suggestions?

 

How to edit the Target of a shortcut in windows 11

Hi AJ,

Its a pleasure to help you with this,

Answering your question, Yes! You can edit the destination of a shortcut in Windows 11, step by step steps below:

First-Right-click the shortcut you want to change the destination, select "Properties".

Second- In the properties click on the "Shortcut" tab. Look for a "Destination" part and click on it to select the text.

Third-Now edit and choose the destination path you want.

After that, just click apply to save all your changes.

If "Destination" is grayed out and not clickable or editable, the shortcut was created with admin power. That way you need to run the app as an administrator to make the changes you want.

To do this, right-click on the shortcut, select "Run as administrator" and repeat the steps above.

Yours sincerely,

Elaine

 

Any better way to stop shortcut changing itself target from non-system disk to system disk?

Currently, I edit reg to stop shortcut changing target itself:

Microsoft does not support changing the location of the Program Files folder by modifying the ProgramFilesDir registry value - Microsoft Support

but as the post itself mentioned, it breaks windows update.

anyway to disable that feature(windows force the shortcut to change from non-system disk to system disk) while windows (10) apps and windows update still work correctly aside from reverting the installation folder location to c every time I have to update
using forementioned way?

And no, creating shortcut again, chkdsk, change shortcut target won't work.