deleteDesktopLinksToPrograms.ps1

##
## deletes all link files on Desktop and Common Desktop Directories, that link to Program Files.
## 

# Get the desktop folder path
$desktopPath = [Environment]::GetFolderPath("Desktop")
$desktopPathPublic = [Environment]::GetFolderPath("CommonDesktopDirectory")

$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"

# Get a list of all the shortcut files in the desktop folder
$shortcutFiles = Get-ChildItem $desktopPath -Filter *.lnk
$shortcutFiles += Get-ChildItem $desktopPathPublic -Filter *.lnk
$Shell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell

# Loop through each shortcut file and check if it targets an installed program
foreach ($shortcutFile in $shortcutFiles) {
    Write-Host "Checking $shortcutFile"
    $target = $Shell.CreateShortcut($shortcutFile.FullName).TargetPath
    #$target
    if ($target -match "^([A-Z]:\\)?(Program Files|Program Files \(x86\))\\") {
        Write-Host "Removing $shortcutFile"
        Remove-Item $shortcutFile.FullName
    }
}