Simple Concept: Central Administration Url: Where it stores and how to change

[Question]:

On  SharePoint server when I click on "Central Administration" it goes nowhere...

How do I change the Url for 'Central Administration" shortcut?

[Answer]:

When "central administration" goes nowhere, first check if shortcut goes to the right url.

Url for this shortcut is kept in registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Web Server Extensions\14.0\WSS\CentralAdministrationURL

Please backup the key first, and then safely set you desired url for CA.

It actually changes automatically when you setup default public url in Alternate Access Mapping.


P.S. For some reason a new url won't work locally on the server?
Please read about some tweaks that you wan't to do on the web server:
Disable the loopback or specify HostName