In Windows, when trying to execute a program, why do I receive the message "Drive or network connection that the shortcut refers to is unavailable"?

When trying to execute a program in Windows, the error message "Drive or network connection that the shortcut refers to is unavailable" can occur for a couple of reasons:

• You may be attempting to execute a program from a network server. Make sure you have logged in correctly, and that the server you want to access is currently functioning.
  
  
• The application may have been moved or a shortcut may have been changed to point to the wrong location. To check this, follow these steps:
  
  
  1. Right-click the icon you attempted to run the program from, and then click Properties.
  2. Select the Shortcut tab. Take note of the line listed in the "Target:" field and, if applicable, in the "Start in:" field.
  3. From the Start menu, choose Find or Search, then Files or Folders... or For Files or Folders... .
  4. In the "Named" field, enter the name of the application listed in the "Target:" field (from step 2). For example, if the "Target:" field listed C:\Corel\Suite8\Programs\WPWIN8.EXE, you would enter: WPWIN8.EXE
  5. In the "Look in:" field, select My Computer. Click Find Now.
  6. If your system can't find the application, it has most likely been deleted, and you will need to reinstall it.
  7. If you find the application in a folder other than the one listed in the "Target:" field (from step 2), you can correct the shortcut to point to the application by editing that line. Do this by returning to step 2 above, and making the appropriate changes to the "Target:" field and, if applicable, the "Start in:" field.

Also see:

• In Windows, how do I locate a file if I know its name or its contents?
• In Microsoft Windows, how do I map a drive?