New Shortcut Wizard Does Not Work or the Option Is Missing in Windows Vista

When you right-click on the Desktop and click New, the Shortcut option may be missing. In some cases, the Shortcut option would exist but nothing may happen when you click on it, except for the mouse pointer changing to an hourglass for a brief time.

This happens if the .lnk file class has missing or incorrect entries, in the following registry branch:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew

Applying the .lnk association fix from the File association fixes for Windows Vista page should fix the problem. In case you’re experiencing the problem in Windows XP, apply the .lnk file association fix from Windows XP File Association Fixes.

SEE ALSO

"Folder" entry missing from the "New" menu in Windows Vista