[Tip:] Official MS-Made Shortcuts For Running Metro Apps

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by moderate, Oct 2, 2014.

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  1. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
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    #1 moderate, Oct 2, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2014
    There are two very interesting shortcuts in:

    c:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools

    Default Apps.lnk
    Devices.lnk

    Unlike those hidden in:
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

    Camera.lnk
    Desktop.lnk
    FileManager.lnk
    Immersive Control Panel.lnk
    PhotosApp.lnk
    Windows Store.lnk

    ...the two above actually CAN run Metro apps from DESKTOP mode (in any app - even in Total Commander). They also work in W8-1-1.

    Here they are compared to Immersive CP shortcut, which doesn't work in desktop mode:

    MetroShortcuts.jpg

    Now only small EXE tool is needed to create such shortcuts...
     
  2. MrTweek

    MrTweek MDL Junior Member

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    #2 MrTweek, Oct 2, 2014
    When you search in File Explore for "Cortana.lnk" you will also find a link to cortana.lnk... maybe w must place them somewhere to Launch it
     
  3. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

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    #3 moderate, Oct 2, 2014 (OP)
    There is NO Cortana in W10TP...
    ...sorry.

    NoCortana.jpg
     
  4. noncentz705

    noncentz705 MDL Junior Member

    Oct 15, 2012
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    #4 noncentz705, Oct 3, 2014
  5. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

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    #5 moderate, Oct 3, 2014 (OP)
    btw: how did you do it (command line)? I can't launch it at all...
     
  6. noncentz705

    noncentz705 MDL Junior Member

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    #6 noncentz705, Oct 3, 2014
    grabbed the umids with powershell and launched with the w8launcher.exe from a while back.
    w8Launcher.exe Microsoft.Cortana_8wekyb3d8bbwe!CortanaUI
     
  7. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

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    #7 moderate, Oct 3, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    (OP)
    ah, I made a typo :/
    BTW: There is no need of W8launcher:
    Code:
    C:\Windows\explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\Microsoft.Cortana_8wekyb3d8bbwe!CortanaUI
    It really seems, that whole Cortana thing is just new "Windows.UI.Search" (SearchUI.exe just replaces old Windows.UI.Search.dll in W8-1-1)...

    This is really collusive competition. Why doesn't Google and other search providers interfere? I don't get it. :]
     
  8. noncentz705

    noncentz705 MDL Junior Member

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    #8 noncentz705, Oct 3, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2014
    I logged back on to say that, but it seems you beat me to it. Much easier... I'd expect the app to develop more over time but I wanted to play with cortana :D
     
  9. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

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    #9 moderate, Oct 3, 2014 (OP)