How to Enable / Disable “New -> Shortcut” in Windows XP, Vista and 7 Context Menu?

If you like this article, please share it with your friends and contacts on Google Plus, Facebook and Twitter using following buttons so that they can also enjoy the article:







Email

Many system administrators or home users want to restrict a few things from other users for security purposes. Creation of "New Shortcut" is one of them.

Many times we restrict drive access but sometimes it might be accessible using "New -> Shortcut" menu.

So here I'll tell you a simple method to disable "New -> Shortcut" menu, so that no one will be able to create a new shortcut anywhere in your system.

The method to disable "New -> Shortcut" menu is different for Windows XP and Vista. So I'll tell both of them one by one. The method for Windows XP will also work for Windows NT, 98, Me, 2000 and 2003. And the method of Windows Vista will also work for Windows 2008 and Windows Seven.

Disable "New -> Shortcut" Menu in Windows XP:

1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now goto:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew

XP_Shellnew_Key.jpg

2. In right-side pane, you'll see a string value "Command". Double-click on it and delete the complete string from "Value data" box.

3. That's it. Now whenever a user will try to create "New -> Shortcut", Windows will show following error message:

Error_while_creating_new_shortcut_i.jpg

And the process will create an empty file "New Shortcut" which you can delete later.

Disable "New -> Shortcut" Menu in Windows Vista and 7:

1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now goto:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew

Deleting_Shellnew_Key.jpg

2. Now delete the "Shellnew" key.

3. That's it. It'll completely remove "Shortcut" item from "New" menu:

Vista_New_Context_Menu_without_Shor.jpg

NOTE: If you want to restore the "New -> Shortcut" menu and its functionality, then download the appropriate ZIP file, extract it and run the extracted .REG file. It'll revert back to default settings:

Restore New -> Shortcut Functionality in Windows XP

Restore New -> Shortcut Functionality in Windows Vista and 7

Other similar articles that may interest you:





This article was posted by in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

If you enjoyed this article, you can subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our most popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles. If you have some news or tip to share, please send us.


Have You Checked Out Following Popular Articles?

Read More Articles




Readers' Comments

Add a Comment

(required)

Subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to stay updated.