Why do my quick launch shortcuts sometimes stop working?

In this excerpt from
Answercast #89, I look at how icons can mysteriously disappear when some
programs are updated.

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Quick launch shortcuts stop working

Well, the fact that you mention iTunes makes me wonder. I have the same problem with both iTunes, and, from time to time, Evernote. It’s often when the program updates itself

I’m assuming you’ve taken an update or two since the time you first installed the program.

Updates cause breaks

It’s not uncommon for the links to the program to break. I don’t know why that is. I, honestly, run into the problem from time to time – both in a quick launch bar scenario and actually in Windows 7’s own taskbar, where I might pin something to the taskbar.

It happens all the time to me – every time I take an Evernote update. What I have pinned to the taskbar not only disappears, but it doesn’t reappear, Or if it stays (as is the case sometimes with iTunes) it just doesn’t work anymore.

The only solution that I’m aware of at this point (if you’re talking about the taskbar) is to:

• Use the Start menu;

• Find the program in the menus;

• Start it up;

• Then, right-click on the icon that appears in the taskbar and say “pin it.”

Quick launch bar

If you’re looking for something like a true quick launch bar that you’ve resurrected from Windows XP days, then the only solution I’m aware of is to, once again, find the shortcut that works in “program files” and copy it over to the quick launch bar again.

Like I said, it’s kind of a hacky work around. It’s unfortunate.

I honestly wish that these programs functioned differently. I actually complained to Evernote about it but I never heard back.

That’s what I think is very likely going on – especially since you call out iTunes as being the most notable case.

(Transcript lightly edited for readability.)