How to create a shortcut to a Microsoft Store app

¿How to create a shortcut to a Microsoft Store appHave you ever installed an app from the Microsoft Store and then couldn't find a quick way to launch it directly from your desktop? Many users, while enjoying the convenience of the Microsoft Store, miss the ability to have a shortcut to those apps in the usual place: the desktop or a custom folder. Windows prioritizes the use of the Start menu, the taskbar, or tiles, but for more traditional users, that's not always enough.

Luckily, even though Microsoft doesn't make it as easy as with traditional programs, Yes, there are methods to create shortcuts to modern apps obtained from the Microsoft Store.In this article we are going to teach you all available forms, detailing the lesser-known steps and tricks so you can customize your Windows experience to your liking, just like you would with any other app. We'll also address common questions about the location of installed apps, how to remove unwanted shortcuts, and extra tips to get the most out of them.

Pinning Microsoft Store apps to your desktop: What you need to know

The universe of UWP (Universal Windows Platform) applications, the classic ones apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, works a little differently than conventional programs. When you install an app from the store, the operating system prioritizes running it from the Start menu, pinning it to the taskbar, or as a tile. However, the typical "Create desktop shortcut" box that appears when installing a regular program, does not exist in most of these cases.

This creates some confusion. Some users think there's no other option than to always access it from the Start menu, but that's not true. Windows does allow you to create these shortcuts, although the option is more hidden than before. There are several ways to achieve your ideal shortcut: from simple drag and drop to advanced methods accessing special system folders.

Quick Method: Drag from the Start Menu

If you're looking for the most straightforward and hassle-free process, there's a fairly quick solution. For many UWP apps, simply follow these steps:

• Open the start menu and locate the app you're interested in in the app list or in the tile section.
• Left click on the app icon and, without releasing it, drag it to the desktop or to the folder where you want the shortcut.
• When you release it, Windows will create a shortcut that will work like any other of the System.

This trick works with both newly installed apps and those you've had for a while, and lets you organize desktop shortcuts, custom folders, and of course, It will also help you pin apps directly to the taskbar.. Just right-click and look for the "Pin to taskbar" option in the context menu.

Access from the "appsfolder" folder: the advanced method

Many times, Some UWP apps do not allow direct dragging from the start menu.When this happens, there's one trick that always works: access the hidden system folder called "appsfolder," where Windows groups shortcuts to absolutely all installed apps (both regular ones and those from the Microsoft Store).

To do it:

1. Open the Run window pressing the key combination Windows + R.
2. Write shell: appsfolder and hit Enter.
3. A sort of "hidden panel" will open showing all the shortcuts to installed apps, including both UWP and traditional apps.
4. Find the app that interests you, right-click on it and select “Create shortcut.”
5. You will see a message indicating that the shortcut cannot be created in that folder. Simply accept the option to create it on the desktop.
6. Done! The shortcut will appear on your desktop like any other, and you can move it wherever you want.

This method also allows you to drag the app icon from the “appsfolder” folder directly to the desktop or any other folder to create a shortcut (you will see the characteristic shortcut icon when you drop it).

Personalization and organization: Taskbar and tiles

For those who use the taskbar as their main operations center, Windows still allows Pin UWP apps to the system tray easily.

It is enough to:

• Find the app in Start menu or in the “appsfolder” folder.
• Right click and choose the option "More" > "Pin to taskbar".

While many prefer not to clutter up the taskbar, it's a handy way to quickly access the most used apps from the Microsoft Store. And if the app is pinned as a tile or "Live Tile" on the side of the Start menu, You can also drag it to the desktop, even if it doesn't appear on the traditional list of apps.

Remove shortcuts and unpin apps

At some point, you may want to delete a shortcut you created or unpin a UWP app from the taskbar. The process is very simple:

• To remove a shortcut from the desktop or a folder, select it and press the Delete key (or right-click and choose “Delete”).
• Esto does not uninstall the application, just delete the shortcut. If you change your mind, you can always create a new one using the methods above.
• To remove an app from the taskbar, Right-click on its pinned icon and select "Unpin from taskbar". You don't have to close the app to do this; you can unpin it even if it's active.

This way, you can keep your desktop and taskbar organized, eliminating unnecessary shortcuts when you're not using them.

Where are Microsoft Store apps installed?

Another common question is the location of installed UWP apps. Unlike conventional programs, which are usually stored in "Program Files," Microsoft Store apps have their own internal path and cannot be run directly like traditional "exe" files.

The "appsfolder" folder we talked about before works as a kind of universal access door that Windows reserves so the user can manage all installed apps without having to manually search through complex or protected system paths. You'll always find them there, although it's never recommended to modify the internal structure of these special folders (this way you avoid operational issues).

By the way, since we have touched on the topic of the Microsoft Store we have this other related article about The best apps from the Microsoft Store.

Game installed and no icon: what do I do?

Sometimes, especially with some games downloaded from the Store or installed traditionally, The shortcut does not appear on the desktop or in the start menu.This is common with older titles or those that don't support automatic shortcuts.

How to solve it?

1. Open "Team" and access the C: drive from File Explorer.
2. Go to “Program Files” and find the folder related to the game or application.
3. Inside, locate the main executable file (usually with the .exe extension).
4. Right-click on it and select "Create Shortcut." Windows will likely prompt you to create the shortcut on your desktop.
5. Confirm and you'll have access on your desktop, ready to use.

Some older games and apps may require you to drag the executable manually to the Game Explorer folder, or even create custom shortcuts. Remember that these operations don't affect the original installation; they just generate quick links.

The Game Explorer folder and other quick access options

For gamers, Windows has a feature called Game Explorer which centralizes all titles installed on the system, offering quick access and additional options:

• See all installed games at a glance and open them conveniently from a single window.
• Download additional information about each title or keep track of your most recently played titles.
• Drag executable files here if the game doesn't appear automatically.

To access this browser, simply click "Start," then "All Programs," find the "Games" folder, and you'll find "Game Explorer" there.

If your game doesn't automatically appear in that browser after installation, simply Drag the executable file from the corresponding folder and drop it into the game explorer windowThis way, you can ensure that all access points are centralized and easily accessible.

Errors and limitations: what you should keep in mind

Not everything is perfect and some apps of the Microsoft Store may not allow the creation of shortcuts for certain security or internal structure reasons. In these cases, you may only be able to access them from the Start menu or the taskbar. If the "dragging to desktop" method doesn't work, The solution is almost always in the "appsfolder" folder., but if this is not possible, then it means that the application has its own limitations imposed by the developer or by the system itself.

On the other hand, if you delete a shortcut by mistake, don't worry: You will only be deleting the link, not the application.You'll always have the option to repeat the steps to create a new one or access it from your usual sites.

Microsoft Store apps allow you to easily organize and access your favorite programs at different levels, without complications and with the tools built into Windows. Using the right methods, you'll have complete control over your modern apps on the system, achieving a much more comfortable and efficient experience. The key is to know your options and take advantage of the features Windows offers to customize your digital environment to your liking. We hope you've already learned how to create a shortcut to a Microsoft Store app.