Original Item Desktop Can’t Be Found: Fixes

If you see “The original item can’t be found” when opening a shortcut on your Windows desktop, the file it points to has been moved, renamed, or deleted. You can usually fix it by locating the actual file and updating the shortcut’s target path, or by recreating the shortcut from the correct location.

What Causes This Error

Windows shortcuts are small files that store a path to another file or program. When you double-click a shortcut, Windows reads that path and tries to open the target. The error appears when the path no longer works. Common causes include:

• The original file was moved to another folder or drive.
• The file was renamed, so the old path no longer matches.
• The file was deleted or uninstalled (for programs).
• The shortcut points to a removable drive (USB, SD card) that isn’t connected.
• A network drive or mapped drive is offline.
• The shortcut itself is corrupted or was created with a bad path.

How to Find the Missing Original Item

Before you recreate or repair the shortcut, try to locate the actual file. If you know the program name, check the usual installation folder (C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86)). For documents, use Windows Search or File Explorer’s search box. If you recently moved the file, search the most likely folder first.

1. Open File Explorer and click “This PC”.
2. Type the file name (or part of it) in the search box in the top-right corner.
3. Wait for the search to finish (it can take a minute on large drives).
4. If you find the file, note its full path (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\Documents\report.docx).

If you can’t find it, check the Recycle Bin—deleted files often sit there before permanent removal.

How to Fix the Shortcut’s Target Path

Once you know the correct path, you can update the shortcut instead of recreating it from scratch.

1. Right-click the broken shortcut on the desktop and select “Properties”.
2. In the “Shortcut” tab, look at the “Target” field. It shows the full path the shortcut currently uses.
3. Click “Browse” (or manually edit the field) and navigate to the actual file.
4. Select the file and click “OK”.
5. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save.

If the “Target” field is grayed out, the shortcut might be a “Universal Windows Platform” app tile—those can’t be edited this way. Instead, search the Start menu for the app and drag it to the desktop to create a new shortcut.

Recreating the Shortcut

If you can’t repair the old shortcut, just make a new one. This is often the fastest fix.

1. Locate the actual file in File Explorer.
2. Right-click the file and select “Send to” > “Desktop (create shortcut)”.
3. Alternatively, right-click and choose “Create shortcut”, then drag the new shortcut to the desktop.
4. Delete the old broken shortcut.

For programs, you can also open the Start menu, find the app, and drag it to the desktop—Windows will create a shortcut automatically.

When the File Is on Another Drive or Network

If the original item was on a USB drive, external hard drive, or network share, the error often appears because that drive isn’t connected. Plug in the drive or reconnect to the network, then try the shortcut again. If the drive letter changed (e.g., from E: to F:), update the shortcut’s target path to the new letter. For network drives, use the full UNC path (\server\share\file) instead of a mapped drive letter, which can change between sessions.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Many people assume the error means the shortcut is corrupted and delete it, losing the ability to launch the app quickly. In most cases the shortcut is fine—it’s the target that moved. Another misconception is that reinstalling the program will fix the shortcut. It might, but only if the installer creates a new shortcut. If the program is already installed, you can simply create a new shortcut from the executable file in the installation folder.

Also, be careful when editing the Target field manually: if you add extra spaces or misspell a folder name, the shortcut will still fail. Use the Browse button whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this happen after I moved a folder?

When you move a file or folder, Windows does not automatically update existing shortcuts. The shortcut still points to the old location, which no longer exists. You must manually update the shortcut’s target or create a new one.

Can I recover a deleted original item?

If the file was deleted, check the Recycle Bin first. If it’s not there, you might restore it from a backup (File History, OneDrive, or another backup tool). If you have no backup, data recovery software might work, but it’s not guaranteed and should be used before writing new data to the drive.

Why is the Target field grayed out?

This happens for shortcuts to UWP apps (from the Microsoft Store) or certain system items. You can’t edit those directly. Instead, search for the app in the Start menu and create a new shortcut by dragging it to the desktop.

How do I fix a shortcut that points to a network drive?

Open the shortcut’s properties and change the Target to the UNC path (\server\share\file). If the network drive is mapped to a letter, that letter can change, so using the UNC path is more reliable. Make sure the network location is accessible when you use the shortcut.

What if the shortcut is for a program that was uninstalled?

If the program is uninstalled, the shortcut is useless. You need to reinstall the program. After installation, a new shortcut is usually created automatically, or you can create one from the installation folder.

Does this error affect Windows itself?

No, it only affects the specific shortcut. Your system is not damaged. It’s a minor issue that you can fix in a few minutes without any special tools.

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