Unable to create Shortcuts in Windows Explorer

by inanimateone Sep 7, 2008 10:24PM PDT

I have Vista Home Premium and I know that when looking for folders that are often searched I should be able to drag that folder to the left side of the window to create a shortcut to that specific folder. Every time I drag and drop it there the folder does not show up, so basically this function is unavailable to me. Is there a setting I can change to enable the creation of a shortcut in Windows Explorer, so I don't have to create the shortcut on the actual desktop? And while I'm asking is there a way to apply settings to all folders. For some reason when I open a folder the Catagories Date, Rank, Artists, .... appear at the top. I know how to delete or change those Catagories but can I apply my changes to all folders or do I have to do it individually for evry folder? Thanks.

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unable to create shortcuts in windows explorer

by bc747 Sep 7, 2008 11:22PM PDT

did you try copying and pasting to the folder?

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I'm not having a problem copying or pasting

by inanimateone Sep 7, 2008 11:29PM PDT

In WINDOWS EXPLORER in Vista there is a window on the left side that says "Favorite Links" and you are supposed to able to create shortcuts in that window to frequently searched folders. When I create the shortcut there is does not show up. I was just wondering if there is a setting somewhere that I might have disabled. Any suggestions?

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favourite links

by bc747 Sep 7, 2008 11:36PM PDT

oh..ok.

try right clicking "favourite links" and see if there are any kind of properties to adjust..

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(NT) Are you trying something you learned from XP days?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 7, 2008 11:26PM PDT

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It works here...

by John.Wilkinson Sep 8, 2008 4:11AM PDT

Drag-and-drop the folder from any Explorer window into the Favorite Links section, being sure to place it between two existing elements such that a blue line is displayed between them before releasing the mouse.

As to the global settings, press Alt, then go Tools->Folder Options->View->Apply to Folders. Note that it's a flawed feature, though, and doesn't always work and may 'regress.'

Hope this helps,
John

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Still not working

by inanimateone Sep 8, 2008 5:01AM PDT

The folder options worked great so thank you. But the drag and drop is not working and that was the purpose of my initial post. I understand how it supposed to work but it just isn't working, rather annoying to put it lightly. That section "Favorite Links" says (Empty) in it and when I drag and drop something in there it still says Empty. Any suggestions? Any settings I may have disabled??

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What "protection" software is installed?

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 8, 2008 6:18AM PDT

I kicked Norton to the curb here over issues like this.

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Happen to be using Norton's

by inanimateone Sep 26, 2008 8:11AM PDT

Yeah, could be that. I made sure the folder was shared and tried every other possible option. UAC is off. Still no luck, but thanks for the suggestions.

Shane

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Got it

by inanimateone Oct 10, 2008 12:18AM PDT

I figured it out finally, and it took me a long time to find the answer. I was missing a regisrty key or it had been modified previously somehow. I think it happened when I tried out the program RegToy. I found a tutorial @ www.winhelponline.com/blog/favorite-links-vista-explorer-is-empty/
which had a fix for the key. I downloaded and merged the registry key and now instead of the Favorite Links window showing the word "EMPTY" I now see my links and can drag and drop to create shortcuts. Only thing is that it created another "Contacts" folder under my userprofile folder and everytime I delete it the second "Contacts" folder just creates itself again. Small price to pay for the convenience of the shortcuts. Any suggestions on the "Contact" folder multiplying itself??

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Hey! I tried that too and it works.

by Dango517 Oct 10, 2008 1:09PM PDT

That two TYs to John. Doesn't work if you place in the blank area below these folder however, only between two existing folders.

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Create links in favorites in Vista

by davesofi Sep 8, 2008 7:21AM PDT

I found that turning off USER ACCOUNT CONTROL solved this problem for me, and I can now create Favorite links in any folder I want

Unable to create Shortcuts in Windows Explorer

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