Create Shortcut for Windows 8 Modern UI App on Desktop
I will show you a technique to create a shortcut for a modern style App on Windows 8's old style desktop.
Windows 8 App Shortcut Desktop Tasks
- Plan to Create a Shortcut for Modern App
- Regedit Research in CLASSES_ROOT
- Recap: Creating a Shortcut for Modern App
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Plan to Create a Shortcut for Modern App
We need a vehicle for our experiment, I chose to create a shortcut for the Bing Weather app. If you haven't done so already, visit the Windows 8 'Store', and install any Modern App.
Orientation: Our action will be at the old Windows desktop, and not the Modern (Metro) UI.
Note: If you just want a tile on the Modern UI then see 'Pin to Start'.
Technique: New –> Shortcut (Classic old method)
Problem: What's the name of the Modern App to type in location box?
Solution: Investigate with Regedit.
Regedit Research in CLASSES_ROOT
In this instance we are not going to make any changes to the registry settings, we just want the name of the Metro Style App, so that we can create a shortcut on the desktop in Windows 8.
- Launch Regedit.
- This is a rare job for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive.
- Drill down to HKCR\Extensions\ContractId.
- Trap: Scroll-down to Windows.Protocol. (I spent 10 minutes looking in Microsoft.Windows.Protocol).
# Registry Location
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Extensions\ContractId\Windows.Protocol\PackageId
- Locate the name of the app for which you are creating a shortcut, in my example it's: Microsoft.BingWeather.
- Drill down to the App's CustomProperties.
- In the right pane, observe its Name: bingweather.
- Key Point: our mission was to find this name, and not to make any changes to the registry.
- In Windows 8, switch to the 'Old' desktop.
- Right-click, New, Shortcut, type bingweather://
- Do remember that :// at the end.
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Changing the App's Desktop Icon
Plan A: It is possible to use the classic method of right-clicking the shortcut and selecting Properties, 'Change Icon'. I selected a tree, see screenshot.
Plan B: You can find a .png version of the icon in:
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.BingWeather (or your AppID). However, it is somewhat of a trial to change the permissions, create an .ico file from the .png. I did not find it easy.
If you go with plan B, then check the precise file name by drilling down under the ActivatableClassId, see above screenshot.
See also how to remove the shortcut arrow »
Recap: Creating a Shortcut for Modern App in Windows 8
Creating a tile for a modern app is easy, just 'Pin to Start' and a tile appears to the right of the Metro style UI. However, the mission is to create a shortcut on the desktop.
Constructing a Windows 7 style shortcut is easy, even on the Windows 8 desktop. Right-click New, Shortcut.
The problem is finding the name so that we can create a shortcut on the desktop for an App from the Store. Browse is no good for finding the location of Modern Apps in this context.
The answer is to find this name in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT section of the registry, 'bingweather' in my example. Armed with the correct name, we can create a desktop shortcut as normal.
See my Windows 8 Registry Hacks »
Summary of Windows 8 App Shortcut Desktop
Unlike the technique for creating a shortcut Tile on the Metro UI, creating a shortcut for a Modern Widows 8 App on the old desktop requires a look in the registry.
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Microsoft Windows 8 Registry Topics
• Windows 8 Overview • Activate Windows 8 Administrator • Windows 8 Remove Shortcut Arrow
• Win 8 Registry Cleaner Review • Windows 7 Style Start Menu • Windows 8 Administrative Shares
• Win 8 Registry • Windows 8 Shortcut Desktop App • Windows 8 .Reg File • Windows 8 AutoRun