How to delete all shortcuts pointing to an executable with GPO?

Question

Hello,

I want to delete all shortcuts that point to an executable with a GPO.

I don't know the name of the shortcut because they were created a long time ago manually from each computer, and now I need to replace them with new ones to other executables.

How can I do this?

Answer 1

Hi,

I'd be happy to help you out with your question. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

You can use a Group Policy Object (GPO) to delete all shortcuts that point to a specific executable by configuring a script that runs at startup. Here's how to do it:

1. Create a new Group Policy Object in your domain and link it to the appropriate Organizational Unit.
2. Edit the Group Policy Object and go to User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Scripts (Logon/Logoff).
3. Click on the "Show Files" button under the Logon Scripts section to open the Logon folder.
4. Right-click inside the Logon folder and select New > Text Document.
5. Rename the new text document to "Delete_Shortcuts.bat".
6. Open the "Delete_Shortcuts.bat" file with a text editor (such as Notepad).
7. Copy and paste the following code into the "Delete_Shortcuts.bat" file:

@echo off

for /f "delims=" %%i in ('dir /s /b "%USERPROFILE%*.lnk"') do (

if "%%~nxi"=="<name_of_shortcut>.lnk" (

echo Deleting shortcut: "%%i"

del "%%i"

)

)

8. Replace "<name_of_shortcut>" with the name of the executable that the shortcuts point to. For example, if the shortcuts point to "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\WINWORD.EXE", then replace "<name_of_shortcut>" with "WINWORD".
9. Save and close the "Delete_Shortcuts.bat" file.
10. Go back to the Group Policy Object editor and click on the "Add" button under the Logon Scripts section.
11. Click on the "Browse" button and select the "Delete_Shortcuts.bat" file that you just created.
12. Click on "OK" to save the changes.

Now, every time a user logs in, the script will run and delete all shortcuts that point to the specified executable.

For more Information, Please refer to following resources :-

1. delete/update shortcut thru preferences - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/ie/23aafe2a-a1bb-4001-ad60-ed4565ac4e11/deleteupdate-shortcut-thru-preferences?forum=winserverGP
2. Create a GPO to run only once to Delete desktop shortcuts - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/systemcenter/82c69e04-1232-41f4-9550-95ff96259672/create-a-gpo-to-run-only-once-to-delete-desktop-shortcuts?forum=winserverGP
3. How to remove shortcut from \All Users\Desktop - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/exchange/cb240d02-d3ae-4694-802c-6e3be0c72c39/how-to-remove-shortcut-from-all-usersdesktop-when-you-know-the-shortcuts-target?forum=ITCG

If you have any other questions or need assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm here to help.

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