Windows 10: Shortcuts fail to launch the program

For a few days now every time I double click a shortcut the screen flashes off then back on and the program fails to start. If I right click the program and chose properties to look at the shortcut I get the same thing. When I do this with taskmanager open "Windows Problem Reporting" pops up for a second and then vanishes.


The only work around I came up with is to right click the short cut and Open the file location. When I click on the .exe file for program it launches just fine.


This happens with every shortcut whether it is on the desktop or in the start menu.


Thanks for any help.

:)

 

Missing Firefox shortcut from All Apps menu

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

• 
  Press Windows + R keys to open run window
  
• 
  Type Firefox to launch firefox
  

If it launches, you may try to create a shortcut of it by following the steps below:

• 
  Windows + E keys to open Windows explorer
  
• 
  Select this pc and select C: drive
  
• 
  Open Program files and right click on firefox and click on Shortcut on desktop.
  

Regards,

 

Delay launching programs with keyboard shortcuts

From reading around, my understanding (and I stand to be corrected) is that the 2-3 second delay is a Windows default delay where Windows searches for any other app or program running at the time on your PC which MIGHT have the same shortcut as the program you are running and switch over to it instead of running the program initiated by your shortcut. In case of any unresponsive or misbehaving app or program, Windows waits 2-3 seconds before moving on to the next running program.

see:
Why is there sometimes a long delay between pressing a hotkey for a shortcut and opening the shortcut? The Old New Thing
for this explanation


There are also some trouble shooting steps which you can try listed down the page here:
slow windows desktop keyboard shortcuts - Super User

As regards the store and settings, I would try to reset at least the store app as per instructions here :
Clear and Reset Store Cache in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

I would also disable fast startup at least once and do a full shutdown and restart as often times it helps to get rid of some bugs in Windows.



Hope this helps you narrow down the solution. Otherwise, just wait for someone else to chime in.

 

Delay launching programs with keyboard shortcuts

Thx,

I will reply in bits *Wink

I agree and I had already read the articles you linked to, but would you be happy if this was standard behavior and another question does this happen on your own PC's ?? It happened on my OLD PC but after the April 2018 update it magically STOPPED. NO IDEA WHY *Confused

The trouble shooting steps are disabling Superfetch or killing ApplicationFramehost but that is last resort I now Kill store and settings as soon as they re-appear and that seems to solve it but it's cumbersome when checking for updates or browsing through settings.

I will reset the store (thanks for the tip) but this is a brand new install (only been up and running since Saturday) nothing has been added much. Only Running (@ the moment) Virusscanner, Web Browser (Firefox) iTunes and VLC)

Fast Startup has been disabled from DAY 1 *Wink

Thx for the tips, really appreciated.