Metro Apps - Open from Desktop in Windows 8

How to Open Modern Apps from Desktop in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to launch Metro apps from the desktop by creating a shortcut that can also be pinned to the taskbar.

EXAMPLE: Metro Apps




To Create a "Metro Apps" Shortcut in Windows 8

1. Right click on Desktop, and click on New and Shortcut.

2. Copy and paste the location below, and press Enter.

​

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}​

3. Type in Metro Apps for a name, and press Enter.

To pin to taskbar just right-click > Pin to Taskbar or drag there.

Here is a custom icon for your new shortcut.

View attachment Metro apps.zip

Related Tutorials

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• How to Create Modern App Shortcuts in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Open the "Apps" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create an "All Apps" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Bing" App Shortcut in Windows 8
• How to Create a "Calendar" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Facebook" App Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Create a "Finance" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Food & Drink" App Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Create a "Games" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Health & Fitness" App Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Create a "Mail" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Maps" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Messaging" App Shortcut in Windows 8
• How to Create a "Music" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "News" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a OneDrive App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "People" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a Photos App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Reading List" App Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Create a "Sports" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Store" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Travel" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Video" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Weather" App Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[vrosa]

Nice. Thanks !

 

[Bill2]

Do people actually use metro apps? Just asking.

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

Do people actually use metro apps? Just asking.

If someone hasn't downloaded and played Tinker by now when using Windows 7 then it is available as Copper in WDP along with other games, also the Weather app may be useful to some people.

 

[Dave76]

Nice tut, thanks.

 

[Brink]

In addition, you could also create a Metro Apps shortcut in Windows 8 this way:


1. Right click on Desktop, and click on New and Shortcut.

2. Copy and paste the location below, and press Enter.

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}

​

3. Type in Metro Apps for a name, and press Enter.

 

[whs]

And to add I put the Metro Apps folder into my Toolbar folder or make a new toolbar. That way it is always accessable.

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

In addition, you could also create a Metro Apps shortcut in Windows 8 this way:


1. Right click on Desktop, and click on New and Shortcut.

2. Copy and paste the location below, and press Enter.

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}

​

3. Type in Metro Apps for a name, and press Enter.

Brink that is the simplest way yet, If you could please update the main tut adding your simplified method including the line "Added by Brink", it will provide those reading an valuable additional option.

 

[Avalon]

Wow, this is very handy (especially when Metro is disabled)... Although to me it feels like another one of those red pill solutions, so I won't use it all that much.

 

[GaryCN]

I need the tutorial, how to get rid of metro aps. How do you disable it?

 

[Brink]

Hello Gary, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you just wanted to remove specific Metro Apps, then this may help.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2352-start-screen-pin-unpin-app-folder-drive-windows-8-a.html

 

[davehc]

I have utmost respect for users who come up with these "tweaks". I am a curious user myself.But what, honestly, is the benefit of this.? To access I must click the folder and then click the desired function. Without this tweak, I click start and click the desired function??

But, with sincerity, congrats on tracking this down. It has led me into trying to get this to work if you have disabled metro. So far I get " not registered" but still trying!!

 

[Brink]

Hello David,

They are just another option for the user to have to help them customize their Windows with.

 

[davehc]

Fair comment - tks

 

[GaryCN]

Hello Gary, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you just wanted to remove specific Metro Apps, then this may help.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2352-apps-pin-unpin-metro-start-screen-windows-8-a.html

Yes I'd like to delete all of the games, I'll try your suggestion.

 

[benefreire]

get it back again!!!! great!!!!!

 

[johnpombrio]

Unfortunately, this tweak has all of what I call APP CRAP in the folder. App Crap comes from installing a program, err app, and having all the crap like uninstall, register, information, help, etc that is left in the Metro page. I went in and blitzed the Metro page of this junk but the shortcut still has all of it around. Not even remotely usable in this form. Sorry.

 

[Cly]

Is there a way to create a shortcut to just one Metro App, that I can pin to the task bar? That would be cool!

 

[Brink]

Hello Cly,

Currently not that I know of. The "Metro" UI and desktop UI are separate and do not mix.

 

[topgundcp]

Yes, there is a way but it only works for apps that were installed along with Windows 8:
Here's an example for Calendar app:

1. From Start Screen, type default programs and run it -> associate a file type or protocol with a program.Scroll down until you see "WLCALENDAR", In the Description, you'll see URL:wlcalendar so wlcalendar is the name of the calendar app.
2. Create a shortcut on the desktop and enter:
   C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c start "" "wlcalendar:" && exit
3. Click next and name the shortcut as Calendar

That's it.

Do the same for Sports, Weather, News etc....... and of course, you can go to property and change the Icon to make it looks nice, pin to the taskbar if you like.