Create shortcut from PowerShell:
# define shortcut directory
$short_dir = “C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\<application>”
# create start menu folder if it doesn’t already exist
If ( (test-path $short_dir) -eq $false ) { new-item -type directory $short_dir }
# create shortcut
$target = “<path to exe>”
$shortcut_lnk = “$short_dir\<name>.lnk”
$wscriptshell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
$Shortcut = $WScriptShell.CreateShortcut($Shortcut_lnk)
$Shortcut.TargetPath = $Target
$Shortcut.Save()