Solved Can't Re-create Disk Cleanup shortcut link in Windows Tools.

I inadvertently deleted the Disk Cleanup shortcut in the Windows Tools folder: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools folder.

I can recreate the shortcut on my Desktop and drag-n-drop it into the folder successfully. Disk Cleanup will run from this recreated shortcut. But, the Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Tools window does not display the Disk Cleanup launch icon.

I have run both sfc /scannow and then dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth, in an attempt to restore the Disk Cleanup shortcut icon to the Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Tools window, but the Disk Cleanup shortcut icon will not reappear in the Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Tools window although it appears in the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools folder.

Although written for Win10, I have also tried the following tutorial from tenforums regarding restoration of administrative tool links:


I recreated the Disk Cleanup shortcut in the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools folder, rebooted and then ran sfc /scannow.
Sfc reported that corrupt files were found but it was unable to fix some of them. The resultant CBS log reports:

CSI 00000051 [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:16]'Disk Cleanup.lnk' of Microsoft-Windows-cleanmgr, version 10.0.22621.1, arch amd64, nonSxS, pkt {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35} in the store, hash mismatch

If I then delete the recreated Disk Cleanup shortcut link in the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools folder, and then run sfc /scannow, sfc reports that it did not find any integrity violations.

I have also searched the registry to find some missing or errant entry regarding Administrative Tools and Windows Tools, but can find nothing associated with what icons will appear in the Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Tools window.

This isn't enough of an issue requiring a re-installation of Win11. I'm just wondering if anyone has a solution to recreating Windows Tools shortcut links that will fix this.

Did you try try copying the admin tools folder from install.wim ?

Hello @PlateauRealm

Download the SFCFix.exe in a folder of your choice.

Then download this SFCFix.zip Package and save it in the same folder.

Drag and drop the SFCFix.zip file on the SFCFix.exe file.

Look of the Picture for example:

Answer this question with n for no:

When the tool is finished, it creates a SFCFix.txt file. Upload the file here.

Just speculating here but does the shortcut in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools have the proper icon and permissions associated with it. Also check that the owner is SYSTEM

PlateauRealm said:

CSI 00000051 [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:16]'Disk Cleanup.lnk' of Microsoft-Windows-cleanmgr, version 10.0.22621.1, arch amd64, nonSxS, pkt {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35} in the store, hash mismatch

Click to expand...

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

That error means the copy in the Component Store is corrupted. You can repair the Component Store with the command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Do that, recreate your disk-cleanup.lnk, then run SFC again. This time it shold run sucesfully, probably saying it has found errors and fixed them.

Bree said:

That error means the copy in the Component Store is corrupted. You can repair the Component Store with the command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Click to expand...

How does it do the repair if the component store is damaged? Where will it get the fresh files from ?

you might need to point it at another source.

SIW2 said:

How does it do the repair if the component store is damaged? Where will it get the fresh files from ?

Click to expand...

As long as you are connected to the internet it will download new files from Microsoft.

In the interim, I have restored my system from an earlier disk backup image.

I will re-create the scenario with this Win 11 Pro testing computer, trying all of the suggestions and then report back.

BTW, my Win 11 Pro installation is with a tailored UUP.com ISO that I used with Rufus in creating a USB drive installation configuration that bypasses computer compatibility checks. The system has been running perfectly for weeks without an error of any kind, until now. All MS cumulative updates and security updates have installed without error.

Perhaps I should use the : 'dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:I:\sources\install.esd:1 /limitaccess' format instead of the 'dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth' format, with the install.esd location from the mounted UUP.com ISO? Is this situation indicative of the major drawback in restoring the health of a system with the DISM command, when the system is installed with such tailored installations that bypass computer compatibility checks?

no.

glasskuter was correct. The shortcut in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools did not have the owner set to SYSTEM. After changing the owner to SYSTEM, the Disk Cleanup shortcut link now appears in Windows Tools. Running sfc /scannow reported it had '... found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.' and a second run of sfc /scannow reported '... no integrity violations.'

Thanks :)