When attempting to launch Winner using the desktop shortcut, users may receive the message that the linked file is missing, or has been changed or moved. This may be due to user being disconnected from a required network, the required file is missing or the user's antivirus.
NOTE! If the user is a Winner Flex user and sees the message 403 Forbidden, see this article.
Disconnected from network
If the user's installation of Winner was installed on an external drive, such as a network server, their Winner desktop shortcut may not function because they have been disconnected from the required network.
To check:
- Right-click the Winner desktop shortcut.
- Select Open file location.
If the folder does not open, users should attempt to use the Windows troubleshooting feature to diagnose the problem and restore the network connection. If users are unsure, they should consult their IT support service provider on restoring access to the required network.
If the folder does open, users should see WinnerFlex.exe or Winner.exe is missing.
WinnerFlex.exe or Winner.exe is missing
If the user's Winner installation was installed on the hard drive of their PC, or if the user has confirmed they have access to the required network, users should next confirm that the WinnerFlex.exe file, or Winner.exe file for Winner Design users, is present.
To check:
- Right-click the Winner desktop shortcut.
- Select Open file location.
- In the Winner\BIN folder, verify that the WinnerFlex.exe file, or Winner.exe file for Winner Design users, is present.
Note: Users who find a file named WinnerFlex.xxx, or Winner.xxx, should see User's antivirus software.
If the WinnerFlex.exe file, or Winner.exe file, is present, users should contact our Support team.
Note: Fore more information, see New to the Support Centre? Look here!
If the WinnerFlex.exe file, or Winner.exe file, is not present, see User's antivirus software.
User's antivirus software
If the user has confirmed that the WinnerFlex.exe file, or Winner.exe file, is not present in the Winner\BIN folder, or if instead the user finds a file named WinnerFlex.xxx, or Winner.xxx for Winner Design users, then the user's antivirus may be the source of the problem.
To check:
- Add exclusions or exceptions to the user's antivirus software for the WinnerFlex.exe, Winner.exe, Wininfo.exe and Winner_dlm.exe files.
Note: Users using Windows Defender can follow this guide. - Right-click the Winner desktop shortcut.
- Select Open file location.
- From the Winner\BIN folder, navigate to the Winner\BIN\Backup folder.
- In the Winner\BIN\Backup folder, right-click the WinnerFlex.exe file, or Winner.exe file for Winner Design users, and select Copy.
- From the Winner\BIN\Backup folder, navigate to the Winner\BIN folder.
- In the Winner\BIN folder, right-click in the folder and select Paste.
- From the Winner\BIN folder, navigate to the Winner\BIN\Install\UPDATE folder.
- In the Winner\BIN\Install\UPDATE folder, double-click the BINPATCH.exe file to install the latest downloaded Winner update.
The user's Winner deskptop shortcut should now function.
If the user's Winner desktop shortcut does not function, users should contact our Support team.
Related articles
New to the Support Centre? Look here!
Exceptions, ports and access rights for Winner Design and Winner Flex
Winner Flex: What to do if the message "403 Forbidden" is showing