Unable to Create Shortcuts on the Desktop

• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to create a new shortcut on the desktop, the Create Shortcut wizard may not start, and a file named New Shortcut with a size of zero bytes may be created on the desktop.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a registry key is damaged or contains an incorrect value.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

To resolve this issue, use Registry Editor to verify that the registry key listed below has the value listed, and if needed, edit the value to match the value listed.

Registry key:

   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew\Command

   RunDLL32 AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %2

   RunDLL32 AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %1