>I can easily automate the update of application files (with Installshield), but I know of no method to automate the update of desktop-icons and items in the startmenu. As you probably know, it's possible to specify the runtime library with the startup parameter -d, and this is actually happening on the many install bases. I'm investigating what the risks are when people ignore written instructions on this topic. Currently, the application does not use any vfp7 specific features. The exe is the only part that's compiled in vfp7, because it was the solution to some hard to tackle c05 errors.
>

If You're just updating the EXE keeping the same name, it should not affect Your shortcuts.

I use WISE-InstallSystem where You can easily manipulate the menu and Desktop-Icons and I guess You can do this with InstallShield too.

You can use Windows Scripting Host for creating shortcuts too. This is an example how I create a Shortcut on the user's desktop.

*-- Is Windows Scripting Host installed?
*-- OK This You probably don't have as it is
*-- a function-call to RickStrahls wwAPI.PRG
*-- but I think it's not needed
ll_IsScripting = IsComObject('WScript.Shell')    &&--> wwUtils, wwAPI


if ll_IsScripting
    if MessageBox("Do You want to create a shortcut on the Desktop?", 32 + 4 , "Question") == 6

        lo_Script     = create('WScript.Shell')

        lc_Programm   = sys(16, 0)
        lc_Programm   = fullPath(lc_Programm)

        lc_DeskPath   = lo_Script.SpecialFolders("Desktop")
        
        lc_Fname      = justStem(lc_Programm)
        lc_Path       = lower(addBS(justPath(lc_Programm)))
        *lc_ShortCut  = addBS(lc_DeskPath) + lc_FName + ".LNK"
        lc_ShortCut   = lower(addBS(lc_DeskPath)) + _screen.Caption + ".lnk"
        
        if file(lc_shortCut)
            =MessageBox(;
                "The shortcut '"+ justStem(lc_ShortCut) +"' already exists.", ;
                64, "Information")
            return
        else
            lo_SC = lo_Script.CreateShortCut(lc_ShortCut)
            *lo_SC.Description      = "TestVerknüpfung"
            *lo_SC.IconLocation     = "%SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll, 13"
            *lo_SC.IconLocation     = fullpath("SCHEDULE.EXE")
            lo_SC.IconLocation      = lc_Programm
            lo_SC.WorkingDirectory  = lc_Path
            lo_SC.TargetPath        = lc_Programm        
            lo_SC.Save
            
            if file(lc_shortCut)
                =MessageBox(;
                    "Shortcut successfully created", ;
                    64, "Information")
            endif
            
        endif            

    endif
else
    =MessageBox(;
        "Cannot create shortcut as a needed component (Windows Scripting Host) is not installed.", ;
        64, "Information")
        
endif

I don't think You have to check for Windows Scripting Host anymore.
Maybe this provides some help for You. This way You could also update the "normal"
shortcuts in the menues.