TechTips - How to Stop Windows 7 Task Bar Shortcut Prompts

I found a rather weird problem with Windows 7 that wasn't a true error but was a huge annoyance for my users. The problem is that my Windows 7 taskbar shortcuts prompt me every time "are you sure you want to open this program", I then have to click OK to open the program. This is just an added step to open a program that I know I want to open. Luckily there are a few ways to fix this problem, in this article I will explain a few fixes that should stop Windows 7 Shortcuts from prompting you every time you open them.

The first fix is to set the UAC prompt level to a lower setting; this should make it so Windows 7 won't see the Shortcuts as a security problem. To change the UAC settings follow these steps:

Click Start

Click Control Panel

Click User Accounts

Click Change User Account Control Settings (Click Yes if prompted)

Adjust the Slide bar to the level you are comfortable with

Click OK

Now depending on the setting you set the UAC to if you click on your Shortcut it should open without the prompt. If it still prompts you might have to lower your UAC level more, the only problem with this is that it is removing the security that the UAC is designed for. This will solve your problem but opens you up to potential security risks.

If you don't want to lose the protection UAC offers then there is another more advanced way to set the security settings of your Shortcuts. It's a simple command line execution that will change the default security level of the Shortcuts. To do this follow these steps:

Click Start

Click Search Bar

Type CMD

Hit enter

Type this command - ICACLS "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs" /Setintegritylevel (OI)(CI)Medium

Hit Enter

The command should run and say something like "Successfully processed 4 files", now you can test the shortcuts and they should open without the prompt asking if you are sure you want to open the file. This will hopefully take care of your problem with Windows 7 prompting you each time you try to open a Taskbar Shortcut.