Create shortcut from vb.net on Windows 7 box (64 bit)

Question

I am trying to create a desktop shortcut from vb.net code on a Windows 7 box (64 bit). The following code works on XP, but when run on Win7 I just get a message stating the App has stopped working:

Imports IWshRuntimeLibrary

Dim WshShell As WshShellClass = New WshShellClass

            Dim MyShortcut As IWshRuntimeLibrary.IWshShortcut

            ' The shortcut will be created on the desktop
            'Win 7 
            MyShortcut = CType(WshShell.CreateShortcut("C:\Users\Public\Desktop\iexplore.lnk"), IWshRuntimeLibrary.IWshShortcut)

            'MyShortcut = CType(WshShell.CreateShortcut("C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\iexplore.lnk"), IWshRuntimeLibrary.IWshShortcut)

            MyShortcut.TargetPath = "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" 'Specify target app full path
            MyShortcut.Description = "IE"

            MyShortcut.Save()

Any thoughts or better ways to create a shorcut from code on a Win7 box?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 14 '10 at 15:06

2

Windows 7 64-bit here. Compiled this as 32-bit and it worked:

Imports IWshRuntimeLibrary

Module Module1

    Sub Main()
        Dim WshShell As WshShell = New WshShell

        Dim MyShortcut As IWshRuntimeLibrary.IWshShortcut

        MyShortcut = CType(WshShell.CreateShortcut("C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Dah Browser.lnk"), IWshRuntimeLibrary.IWshShortcut)
        MyShortcut.TargetPath = "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" 'Specify target app full path
        MyShortcut.Description = "IE"

        MyShortcut.Save()
    End Sub

End Module

Note: I am running as admin with UAC turned off.

Also notice I changed WshShellClass to WshShell

answered Jun 14 '10 at 15:06

David Crowell

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Oh, and I haven't done VB in years. Thanks for the mental exercise. :) – David Crowell Jun 14 '10 at 15:08
The question is asking how to do this on 64 bit Windows. That is not a 64 bit solution. It is a 32 bit solution. The code shown will not compile in a 64 bit application. – John Cruz Oct 27 '12 at 19:17

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 14 '10 at 12:51

0

What privileges is your app running under? I believe it will need admin credentials to do what you are looking for.

answered Jun 14 '10 at 12:51

Walter

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The account is an Administrator – Matt Jun 14 '10 at 12:55
that is not the same as running elevated. Unless it's a service, it's subject to UAC. If it's an installer, it's probably elevated, and if it's an ordinary app, it probably isn't. – Kate Gregory Jun 14 '10 at 13:10
UAC is off so that shouldn't be an issue – Matt Jun 14 '10 at 13:33
So you see the same behaviour when you run as administrator? – Kate Gregory Jun 14 '10 at 14:30
Yes Administrator account, UAC off, even right click app and Run As Administrator. – Matt Jun 14 '10 at 14:46
This is something that should generally be run via an elevated installer anyway. – Greg D Jun 14 '10 at 15:10

Create shortcut from vb.net on Windows 7 box (64 bit)

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