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I am using Windows 8 at the moment and I was wondering if there is a way to make a shortcut to a Modern UI (formerly known as Metro UI) application on my desktop.

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4 Answers

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As far as I know, there's no built-in way to do this. For the apps that come with Windows 8, you can use MetroApp Link; official website (in Italian) here. It doesn't currently support apps downloaded through the Store, though.

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Thanks just what I was looking for. – Joel Dean Sep 26 '12 at 15:48
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Newer version (Now called ModernApp Link). – Karan May 16 at 23:39
up vote 15 down vote
+50

All Modern UI apps have a URL protocol associated with them which can be used to launch the app.
You can find find the protocol for a specific app like this:

  1. Press Windows+R
  2. Type regedit
  3. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Extensions\ContractId\Windows.Protocol\PackageId
  4. Find the subkey for your app (eg, AMZNMobileLLC.KindleforWindows8_1.1.0.0_neutral__stfe6vwa9jnbp)
  5. Within that subkey, go to ActivatableClassId_some long name_\CustomProperties
  6. The Name value will tell you the protocol name.

You can then make a shortcut to name://. (eg, kindle://)

Getting an icon is a little harder.
In the subkey directly under ActivatableClassId, you'll find a value named Icon, in the format @{AppIdentifier?ms-resource://AppName/Files/path/to/icon.png}. You'll find a PNG icon in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\AppIdentifier\path/to/icon.png.
However, you'll need to convert this PNG to an ICO file to use in a shortcut.

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If people are interested, I can write a desktop app that will create shortcuts to arbitrary Modern UI apps, automating these steps. I'll do that if this answer gets 15 votes. – SLaks Oct 31 '12 at 20:32
Brilliant! You get the bounty :) – DzinX Oct 31 '12 at 21:46
1  
@SLaks you have my vote and I'll really love to see that desktop app. :) – avirk Nov 6 '12 at 12:21
Amazing answer. I know that this is old, but did you ever maked that desktop app? – Rotary Heart Apr 23 at 14:30
1  
@SLaks - You have 15 votes – Ramhound May 1 at 15:20
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up vote 1 down vote
  1. Right click on your Desktop and select new->shortcut.
  2. When the dialog window opens enter %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1} and name your application appropriately.
  3. Click on the icon your created and launch the Applications window.
  4. Select the Metro application to use.

Ref: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/32777-Launch-Metro-Apps-Directly-from-Desktop

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That seems to create a shortcut to the Applications folder, whereas the OP wants to create a shortcut to a specific Metro app. – Indrek Sep 24 '12 at 15:21
I suppose if he's open to installing software he could use MetroApp Link. – Ava Gailliot Sep 24 '12 at 15:28
Thanks @AvaGailliot – Joel Dean Sep 26 '12 at 15:49
up vote 0 down vote

You can launch them via powershell, eg

powershell.exe Start-MetroApp Microsoft.BingNews_8wekyb3d8bbwe!AppexNews
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