Method to open any Windows 10 Apps from command line

After step 4, an easier option is to Shift + Right-Click on the shortcut and select Copy as Path. Then just paste the path into a script.

benny10033 said:

Hi everyone, I am here to share how to open any Windows 10 Apps from command line.

1. Open

Code:

shell:AppsFolder

2. Find your app
3. Right click and choose "Create Shortcut"
4. Yes, placed the shortcut on desktop
5. Right click the shortcut and choose "Properties"
6. Take a look on the Target Type
7. Open powershell (by opening start and type powershell)
8. Type

Code:

get-appxpackage > 123.txt

9. Win-key + r then put "%UserProfile%" in the box and enter
10. Open 123.txt
11. Find the PackageFamilyName in the txt that matches with the Target Type you from the properties (You can use ctrl + f)
12. Browse to the InstallLocation corresponded to the PackageFamilyName
13. Open the AppxManifest.xml
14. Look for "Executable=" for the app you want. (As some app package contains more than one app, such mail and calendar are under the same packetage)
15. On the same line, find the ID of the app
16 Then your command line is :

Code:

explorer.exe shell:appsFolder\put-your-PackageFamilyName-here!put-your-app-ID-here

Such as mail:

Code:

explorer.exe shell:appsFolder\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_8wekyb3d8bbwe!microsoft.windowslive.mail
                              ^Here is the PackageFamilyName                   !^Here is the app ID

Thank you!!!

Is it possible to launch them minimised? For example, it seems the simple command: "start Skype:" is now enough to launch an app. Tried "start /min Skype:", it opens the app but not minimized.

I'm hoping someone will see this. I can't get this to work for the new OneNote UWP app. I followed the directions perfectly. Instead of starting OneNote, it just opens Windows Explorer in the special Documents folder.

This is the command-line I'm using that doesnt work:

Code:

explorer.exe shell:appsFolder\Microsoft.Office.OneNote_16001.11901.20096.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe!microsoft.onenoteim

Could someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

EDIT: Nevermind, I figured it out:

Code:

explorer.exe shell:appsFolder\Microsoft.Office.OneNote_8wekyb3d8bbwe!microsoft.onenoteim

AmigaRoots said:

Is it possible to launch them minimised? For example, it seems the simple command: "start Skype:" is now enough to launch an app. Tried "start /min Skype:", it opens the app but not minimized.

This frustrated me for years until I learned that the first argument for the start command is the window title. Try this
start "" /min Skype:

The documentation doesn't really say it's required or not, but believe me - it is expecting a title if you're passing arguments. The blank "" title doesn't even affect the programs you start, only command console.

Thank You benny10033, Was able to add Window Mail App to my right click and create a .reg file to add and remove It
for future use