Windows 10 Shortcut Icons Target Changes

[Jeff2125]

Often when I create a shortcut and later open it, it will take me to the Google homepage. Below I show two target settings. One from a shortcut that works the other from one that takes me back to Google.

"C:\Program Files\NordVPN\NordVPN.exe"

C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome_proxy.exe" --profile-directory=Default --app-id=ckeijkcldhaelhllipcdgoakjoolfgfn

This is both on the desktop and the Start menu.

Thanks.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems that the second shortcut target is specific to a Google Chrome app, which could be causing the behavior of opening the Google homepage. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially fix this issue: 1. Edit the Shortcut Target: - Right-click on the shortcut that's opening the Google homepage and select "Properties." - In the "Target" field, verify if the path points to the correct executable file. - If it doesn't, modify it to point to the correct executable file (in this case, NordVPN.exe). 2. Create a New Shortcut: - If editing the existing shortcut doesn't work, you can create a new shortcut for the NordVPN executable file. - Right-click on the NordVPN executable file (NordVPN.exe), choose "Send to" > "Desktop (create shortcut)." - Try opening the new shortcut to see if it launches NordVPN correctly. 3. Check Default Programs: - Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. - Check if the default app for URLs is set to Google Chrome. If so, try changing it to a different browser or the default app you want to use for URLs. 4. Browser Settings: - In Google Chrome, check the settings to ensure that Chrome is not set as the default app for all URL types. 5. System File Checker: - Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command: sfc /scannow. This tool scans and repairs system files that may be causing issues. 6. Reset Chrome Settings: - If the issue persists, you can try resetting Chrome settings to default. - Open Chrome, go to Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Restore settings to their original defaults. After making these changes, test the shortcuts to see if they now correctly open NordVPN and resolve the issue with redirecting to the Google homepage.