If you use either of the following methods to copy an item to the desktop on a Windows Vista-based computer, the item does not appear on the desktop:

• On the desktop, you create a shortcut for a file that is located in the %systemroot% folder or that is located in the %systemroot%\system32 folder. You create this shortcut by performing a drag-and-drop operation while you are pressing CTRL + SHIFT.
• You copy items to the desktop from a network share or from a USB flash drive.

This problem occurs even if the copy operation is successful.

Note: Although the item does not appear on the desktop, it does appear in the Desktop folder. The Desktop folder path is \%USERPROFILE%\Desktop.