title: VB.NET program Behaves Differently When Run From Shortcut vs Program Folder
body: <p>I created a VB.net application that, among other things, uses two DLLs to update the firmware on a microprocessor. It works perfectly during debugging. </p>
  
  <p>To distribute it, I used InstallShield LE to create an installer. If I install the program and run from the Start Menu or Desktop icon, the program works - except for that part that uses the DLLs... that fails part of the way through. </p>
  
  <p>The kicker is that if I go to C:\Program Files (x86)\programName\ and run the .exe from there everything works perfectly. </p>
  
  <p>When I run from the shortcuts or from the actual directory and go to Task Manager and view the process properties, it lists the same directory. So I am under the assumption that the shortcuts are properly referencing the correct location.</p>
  
  <p>So, how can running from a shortcut affect the running of the .exe?!</p>
  
  <p>Thank you for your help.
  -Mschmidtbauer</p>