Windows desktop shortcut doesn't work

[JerryAgin]

I have a user who is unable to run .jar files from her Windows 7 desktop. Windows interprets the shortcut icon as a file to be opened with Adobe Reader.

I have a Java software product that is packaged by izcompile and launch4j and distributed via download from the web. The user has completed the download and installation. All the needed files are in place, and there is a shortcut on the desktop that points to a .jar file in the \Program Files (x86)\Intonia folder.

Double-clicking the icon brings up a message saying Adobe Acrobat cannot open the file. Right-clicking it for Properties says "Opens with: adobe reader".

I asked the user to go to Control Panel - Programs - Default Programs - Associate a File Type with a Program. She highlighted .jar and selected "Change Program", but Java was not offered as an option.

I asked her to run ftype and assoc in a command prompt window. Here are the results:

C:\Windows\system32>ftype jarfile
jarfile="C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\javaw.exe" -jar "%1" %*

C:\Windows\system32>assoc .jar
.jar=jarfile

I asked the user to try reinstalling Java, and she says she did it, but it didn't change anything.

Java runs fine if it's invoked from a .bat file that explicitly calls "\program files (x86)\java\jre7\bin\java.exe" -jar intonia.jar. It just won't start from the desktop shortcut. I have over 300 registered users and this is the first time anyone has reported such a problem.

Does anyone have ideas what is going on here?

[wsaryada]

Did the default program to open jar still associated with the acrobat reader? when java was not offered as an option I believe there is a button that allowed you to search for the java.exe.

[DarrylBurke]

Moved from Advanced Java. This is a question about the Windows OS -- not about Java at all.

db

[JerryAgin]

Moved from Advanced Java. This is a question about the Windows OS -- not about Java at all.

db

You're right, it *is* a Windows question, but specific to how Java gets installed and executed. Please suggest an alternate forum...

[Fubarable]

Just about any Windows specific forum will do. Google can help you find this. But then the Windows help files will also help out as well.