Where are user shortcuts stored?

from Stardock Forums

Just got hit with some malware. It's gone, but almost all my Start menu shortcuts are gone too. Most of the Windows shortcuts from C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs are there, but the rest are gone. I have Carbonite, but I can't find any user shortcuts to restore from C:\Jon\Appdata. Where should I look to find those shortcuts?

start8
2,227 views 4 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Pinned shortcuts on the right panel of Start8 are in: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu\ 

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Try checking for the Windows standard location for items in "All Programs" C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Alas, C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu only has a few shortcuts and those were added after the disaster. That folder doesn't exist in my Carbonite backup, and my other backup program filed to restore. Argggh, I was hoping Start8 would have them squirreled away somewhere secret.