How to Create a Shortcut to Any “modern” Windows Application
In Windows 10, many of the built-in apps (such as the calculator) are now “modern” apps. Other apps with a modern user interface (like Netflix) have become much more useful as they can be launched in a window. There is just one problem: there is no obvious way to create shortcuts for these applications so that you can place them on your desktop or launch them with an application like Launchy .
Fortunately, there is a hidden way:
- Open Explorer and paste the following into the address bar:
%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1} - Press Enter. You should be greeted by a secret folder containing a bunch of random apps and activities.
- Find the modern app you want to create a shortcut for. Right-click it and select Create Shortcut. It will appear on your desktop.
From there, you can do whatever you want with this shortcut – leave it on the desktop for quick launch, or – if you’re a Launchy user like me – put it in a folder and add that folder to the Launchy directory . It’s a shame that you have to do it one at a time, but I think it’s better than nothing.
This trick has been around since Windows 8, but as modern apps become more prevalent in Windows 10, this trick has become more useful.
How to Create a Desktop Shortcut for Windows 8 Metro Apps | Spiceworks