An Internet shortcut file does not link to the expected URL on a Windows Vista-based computer

When you change an Internet shortcut file on a Windows Vista-based computer, and then you try to open the shortcut file in Windows Internet Explorer 7, the shortcut file does not link to the expected URL. This problem occurs if all the following conditions are true:

• The User Account Control (UAC) feature is turned on in Windows Vista.
• Protected mode is enabled in Internet Explorer 7.
• You are running an application that installs a global hook procedure by using the SetWindowsHookEx function.
• The Internet shortcut file is saved in the Desktop folder.

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Use Windows Explorer to move the shortcut file from the Desktop folder to any other folder.

Method 2

Clear the virtualized file by deleting the browsing history. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Internet Explorer 7.
2. Click Tools, and then click Delete Browsing History.
3. In Delete Browsing History, click Delete All.
4. Click to select the Also delete files and settings stored by add-ons check box, and then click OK.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

To modify the URL for an Internet shortcut file, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the shortcut file, and then click Properties.
2. On the Web Document tab, change the URL, and then click OK.

To check whether protected mode is enabled in Windows Vista, follow these steps:

1. Start Internet Explorer 7.
2. Click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
3. If the Enable Protected Mode check box is selected, protected mode for Internet Explorer 7 is enabled.
   
   Note We do not recommend that you disable Protected Mode in Internet Explorer because this can increase your security risk.

Note You must restart Internet explorer to enable or to disable protected mode. For more information about how to use User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about the SetWindowsHookEx function, visit the following MSDN Web site:For more information about protected mode in Internet Explorer 7, visit the following MSDN Web site: