Games Store App Shortcut - Create in Windows 8

How to Create a "Games" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
The xbox Games app included in Windows 8 and 8.1 lets you discover the hottest new games, classics you love, and exclusives for Windows. Track your progress on the games you play, and see how you stack up against your friends. Plus, see what your friends are up to, and send a message to a friend.

For more information, see: Games app for Windows in the Windows Store


This tutorial will show you how to create or download a Metro Xbox "Games" Store app shortcut that you can use or pin where you like in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.


EXAMPLE: xbox Games app

xbox_Games.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Download a "Xbox Games" App Shortcut for Windows 8


1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the ZIP file below.​
Xbox_Games_Shortcut.zip
download
2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.​
3. Open the .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the Xbox Games shortcut to the desktop.​
4. Unblock the Xbox Games shortcut.​
5. Go to step 4 in OPTION TWO below to download and use a custom icon for this shortcut.​
6. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.​
7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .zip file on the desktop if you like, or save it to use again.​






OPTION TWO

To Manually Create a "Xbox Games" App Shortcut in Windows 8


1. Right click or press and hold on a empty area of the desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.​
2. Copy and paste either command below into the location area, and click/tap on the Next button. (see screenshot below)​
explorer xboxgames:
OR
%windir%\System32\cmd.exe /c start "" "xboxgames:" && exit
OR

Code:
explorer.exe shell:Appsfolder\Microsoft.XboxLIVEGames_8wekyb3d8bbwe!Microsoft.XboxLIVEGames
Shortcut-1.jpg
3. Type Xbox Games for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: You can name this shortcut anything you would like though.
Shortcut-2.jpg
4. Click/tap on the Download button below to download a custom Games.ico file to use for this shortcut. Unblock the .ico file, then move it to where you would like to keep it saved at.​
download
5. Right click or press and hold on the new Xbox Games shortcut, and click/tap on Properties.​
6. Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, then click/tap on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)​
Shortcut-3.jpg
7. Click/tap on the Browse button, navigate to and select the Games.ico file from step 4, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)​
NOTE: You can use any icon that you would like instead though.​
Shortcut-4.jpg
8. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6)​
9. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.​

That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

  • Games.ico
    7.6 KB · Views: 24,332
  • Xbox_Games_Shortcut.zip
    848 bytes · Views: 1,319
  • Games.png
    Games.png
    482 bytes · Views: 218
Last edited:
Hi Shawn,

Why we don't use only explorer.exe parameter?
For example: "explorer.exe xboxgames://", "explorer.exe bingsearch://" etc.
This option also protect you annoying cmd windows :)
Am I missing something?
 

My Computer

Hello Nonpararn,

Sure, you could use that as well if you like. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
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    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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