Symptoms:

• Windows Server 2016 , Windows Server 2019 , or Windows 10

• Trying to change the URL shortcut path on a start menu item.

• Error: “Problem with Shortcut” “Cannot apply changes to this Internet Shortcut”

• The file is NOT read only

• You are logged on with an admin account

For example, you want to change the shortcut for Exchange Administrative Center.  This points at localhost by default, but should be changed to match the server name once certificates are installed.  When you try to edit the shortcut, it won’t save the changes.

How to fix:

1. Make sure you are logged on with administrator privileges.
2. Copy the shortcut file to your desktop.
3. Edit the shortcut on your desktop (right-click, Properties, modify URL path, OK).
4. Copy the shortcut file back to the correct start menu folder.
5. When asked, select to “replace the file in the destination”
6. Click “Continue” to provide administrator permission to copy to this folder.

You should be fixed now.  Cheers!

What is the cause of this problem?

Most people think the problem is a lack of permissions. Even if you are logged on as an admin user, your Windows Explorer is running with ‘user’ privileges.   However, on Server 2016, trying to run Windows Explorer with elevated privileges did not work. If you look at the start menu folders, they are “read only”.  You can un-set this and the folder will just go back to read-only. I’m pretty sure that Microsoft made this difficult because users could mess with each other by changing program shortcuts.  While working with the military, I saw a prank inside IT departments using this.  They changed the shortcut for Internet Explorer into…

What is the cause of this problem?

Most people think the problem is a lack of permissions. Even if you are logged on as an admin user, your Windows Explorer is running with ‘user’ privileges.   However, on Server 2016, trying to run Windows Explorer with elevated privileges did not work. If you look at the start menu folders, they are “read only”.  You can un-set this and the folder will just go back to read-only. I’m pretty sure that Microsoft made this difficult because users could mess with each other by changing program shortcuts.  While working with the military, I saw a prank inside IT departments using this.  They changed the shortcut for Internet Explorer into the “shutdown -f” command on servers that shouldn’t be using the Internet.  Caused some outages, but it sure got the point across. Anyways, for whatever reason, it is difficult.  But copying the entire file from your desktop will solve the problem.

Selfish plug time (sorry!)

Thanks for reading this article! I hope it helps you! If you have tips or feedback, please comment or send me an email so that others can benefit. I am a consultant in the Maryland/DC area in the USA. My specialties are Windows migrations (to 2016 and to Office 365 / Azure), VMware migrations, Netapp and SAN, and high availability / disaster recovery planning. If your business would like help with your complex project, or would like a architectural review to improve your availability, please reach out!    More information and contact can be found on the About page. – Amira Armond