Problems with Shortcuts

Good evening readers! For launching certain frequently used applications, we use shortcuts. The shortcut files which are generally present in the desktop have the format of ‘.lnk’. There is a rare problem which occurs with this shortcut files because of the user error. It is when the user right clicks the shortcut and changing the default “open with” application. This makes all the ‘.lnk’ files (all the shortcuts) to open with that particular application. Thus, the shortcut will not open the application it intends to. This issue can be corrected in many ways.
Right click on the shortcut and go to properties.

Now, type the correct application path which the shortcut needs to open in the Target.

But, this process seems very tedious and time consuming as in our problem, we need to change the path of all shortcuts.

Another method to correct this problem is to uninstall the application which was set as the default launcher of the shortcut (‘.lnk’) file. Once you uninstall the application, all the shortcuts get automatically changed to open the intended application correctly.
There is a problem in this method. If the Windows inbuilt applications like Windows Media Player or Internet explorer is chosen as the default launchers, they cannot be uninstalled.
Now, let us see how to tackle this problem. Although these applications cannot be uninstalled, they can be Disabled. This is done as follows,
Step1: Go to My computer and go to Uninstall or change a program.

If it is not found there, go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features

Step 2: Go to the Turn Windows features on or off

Step 3: Now, uncheck the application which you need to disable.

That’s it guys! Your problem is fixed. Good luck!
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How to remove the shortcut virus?

Well! At present, all the advanced antivirus softwares remove all the latest and dangerous viruses that harm the system, but not this simple and tricky “shortcut virus”. The shortcut virus is one, which converts all the folders and files in a removable disk to shortcuts. You may get confused because even if it gets detected and removed from the removable disk, it still affects all the removable media inserted in to the system. The reason behind this fact is as follows.

The shortcut virus infects a pendrive or any removable disk and when that particular disk is inserted into the system it affects the ’c:’ drive. Once it affects the ‘c:’ drive of a system, all the removable media inserted in the system will get infected and through that infected media, it affects other systems and so on. So, even if it is detected and removed from a removable disk, it still stays in the ‘c:’ drive and affects all the removable media inserted into the system.

The only successful way to remove this virus is to do it manually. No need to worry. This is not a big issue and can be done simply as follows.

Step 1: Start the system in safe mode. You can do this by simply switching OFF (Long press the power button) the system without shutting it down. Now, if the system is switched ON you can find an option to login through safe mode. You can also do this through control panel.  

Step 2: Remove the infected removable disk, if it is connected to the system.

Step 3: Go to the Start menu.

Step 4: In the search box, type ‘msconfig’ and press ENTER.

Note: If you do this without starting up in safe mode, the msconfig window will close automatically.

Step 5: In the msconfig window, go to ‘Startup’ tab.

Step 6: In the stratup tab, find the files which have java extension '.js' (from the command). It will have ”Startup Item” name like ‘7sbd’ or some similar meaningless names. The Manufacturer will be ‘Unknown’.

Step 7: For such items, note where it is stored (The path can be found in the Command).

Step 8: Go to the location shown in the command path.

Note: If it is not found in the location, try these steps. Press F10 key and go to Tools -> Folder options. In the Folder options window, go to ‘View’ tab. Check the box “Show hidden files, folders and drives”. You can find this in the ‘Advanced settings’ area. Now, you can find the virus file in the location shown.

Step 9: Permanently delete the file (Shift+Delete).

Step 10: Now, again go and check the msconfig window. The Startup item will not be there. That is our Success!

Note: If the Startup item is still there, try this out. Go to start menu and type ‘cmd’ in the search box and press ENTER. In the command prompt, type the following command

rmdir c:\specified command path

To protect yourself from the further attacks, install “USB Disk security” or “SMADAV” Antivirus.

Good luck!

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