Breeze Through Tasks: Custom Windows Shortcuts for UWP

Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps are those you download from the Microsoft Store. Unlike desktop software, you don’t need to install UWP apps with setup files. The UWP apps you download automatically get installed to a default WindowsApps restricted location.

The usual way to create shortcuts for desktop apps is to right-click their EXE files within installation directories and selectSend to Desktop . So, some users may wonder how they can create desktop shortcuts for UWP apps that are in an inaccessible WindowsApps folder. You can still create shortcuts for UWP apps with the methods below.

1. Drag and Drop UWP Apps From the Start Menu Onto the Desktop

A simple way to create shortcuts for UWP apps is to drag and drop them from the Start menu onto the desktop. To do that, open the Start menu and clickAll apps . Then click a UWP app on the menu, hold the left mouse button, and drag its icon onto the desktop. Release the left mouse button when you see aLink box to add the desktop shortcut.

2. Create Desktop Shortcuts for UWP Apps From the Applications Folder

Windows 11 has an accessible Applications folder that includes your installed UWP apps. You can select to create shortcuts for MS Store apps from that folder as follows:

1. First, press theWindows +R hotkey to start the Run tool .
2. Typeshell:AppsFolder inside Run’sOpen box.
3. ClickOK to view the Applications folder.
4. Right-click a UWP app you want to add to the desktop and selectCreate shortcut .
   Take advantage of PREMIUM features for 12 months.
   Create your texts / logos without any limitation.
   No attribution required when downloading.
   No advertising on the website.
   TextStudio.com PREMIUM - Yearly Membership
5. SelectYes when prompted to place a shortcut on the desktop.
   

VSDC Pro Video Editor is a light professional non-linear video editing suite for creating a movie of any complexity. It supports the most popular video/audio formats and codecs, including 4K, HD and GoPro videos. Preconfigured profiles make the creation of videos for various multimedia and mobile devices absolutely hassle-free.

• Import from any devices and cams, including GoPro and drones. All formats supported. Сurrently the only free video editor that allows users to export in a new H265/HEVC codec, something essential for those working with 4K and HD.
• Everything for hassle-free basic editing: cut, crop and merge files, add titles and favorite music
• Visual effects, advanced color correction and trendy Instagram-like filters
• All multimedia processing done from one app: video editing capabilities reinforced by a video converter, a screen capture, a video capture, a disc burner and a YouTube uploader
• Non-linear editing: edit several files with simultaneously
• Easy export to social networks: special profiles for YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Twitter and Instagram
• High quality export – no conversion quality loss, double export speed even of HD files due to hardware acceleration
• Stabilization tool will turn shaky or jittery footage into a more stable video automatically.
• Essential toolset for professional video editing: blending modes, Mask tool, advanced multiple-color Chroma Key

3. Create Desktop Shortcuts for Pre-Installed UWP Apps With the Create Shortcut Wizard

The pre-installed UWP apps have Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) addresses with which you can open them. For example, inputtingms-clock: in Run will open the Alarms and Clock app. You can add pre-installed UWPs to the desktop by creating shortcuts with their URIs as follows:

1. Right-click any part of the desktop area within Windows 11 and move the cursor over theNew submenu.
2. ClickShortcut to view the Create Shortcut wizard.
3. Input the URI for the UWP app in the location text box. For example, you would need to enter thems-clock: URI there to create a desktop shortcut for Alarms & Clocks.
   
4. ClickNext to proceed to the final step of the wizard.
5. Enter the app’s name in the text box.
6. PressFinish to create your UWP app shortcut.
   

This method will add a URL (web document) shortcut for opening the app to the desktop. These are some of the URIs with which you can create UWP desktop shortcuts:

• Microsoft Store:ms-windows-store:

• Camera:microsoft.windows.camera:

• Calendar:outlookcal:

• Photos:ms-photos:

• Weather:bingweather:

• Xbox:xbox:

• Windows Security:windowsdefender:

• Calculator:calculator:

• Microsoft News:bingnews:

• Snip and Sketch:ms-screensketch:

• Feedback Hub:feedback-hub:

• Settings:ms-settings:

• Tips:ms-get-started:

• Media Player:mswindowsmusic:

• Get Help:ms-contact-support:

Incidentally, you can also create shortcuts with URIs for Settings pages much the same. Check out this how to set up Settings page shortcuts guide for further details.

4. Pin UWP Desktop Shortcuts to the Taskbar

You can select to pin UWP apps to the taskbar with their desktop shortcuts. To do so, right-click the UWP app’s desktop shortcut and selectShow more options >Pin to taskbar . Then you can open the app from the taskbar instead.

Note that you can’t pin web document desktop shortcuts to the taskbar. The context menus for desktop shortcuts created with URI commands don’t include thePin to taskbar option.

5. Assign Hotkeys to UWP App Desktop Shortcuts

After creating a UWP app desktop shortcut, you can also assign a hotkey to it. Pressing that hotkey will activate the shortcut to launch the UWP app. You can create a hotkey for a UWP app desktop shortcut like this:

1. Right-click the desktop shortcut and selectProperties .
2. Click inside theShortcut key box on theShortcut orWeb Document tab.
3. Press a key to set up aCtrl +Alt keyboard shortcut.
   
4. SelectApply >OK to save the hotkey for the desktop shortcut.

Create Shortcuts for All Your Favorite UWP Apps

It’s quick and simple to create desktop shortcuts for UWP apps with the methods above. Then you’ll be able to access all your favorite MS Store apps directly from the desktop. Or create taskbar and hotkey shortcuts with their desktop icons.