windows 8 - Desktop folder not showing all the shortcuts I have on my desktop

I just noticed when I let the program install their shortcuts - these shortcuts don't display in users//desktop folder.

When I create them myself, by right clicking on the program executable -> create shortcuts, it displays in a "desktop" folder. So the question is - why can't I see all of my desktop shortcuts in a users//desktop folder?

Where does Windows store them?

Answer

Depending on the version of windows, they might be stored in the all users/public folder. For example windows 8, stores them in C:\Users\Public\Desktop, by default desktop folder is hidden, so you might have to change the visibility first.