Creating custom keyboard shortcuts to launch your Metro apps (now called Universal Windows Platform or UWP apps) can significantly streamline your workflow and enhance productivity. Instead of navigating through menus or searching for apps, you can open your favorite apps instantly with a simple keystroke. This guide walks you through the process of setting up these shortcuts, ensuring you can access your apps quickly and efficiently. Before starting, ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows PC, as some steps may require elevated permissions. Additionally, it’s helpful to have the exact name of the app or its shortcut location ready for a smoother setup.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
- Administrator access to modify shortcut properties
- The Metro (UWP) app installed and accessible on your system
- Optional: A dedicated keyboard shortcut management tool (if you prefer advanced options)
Step-by-Step
- Locate the App Shortcut: Find the Metro app you want to create a shortcut for. You can do this by searching for it in the Start menu. Right-click the app and select More > Open file location. If this option is unavailable, locate the app’s shortcut in the Start menu or on your desktop.
- Create a Desktop Shortcut: If the app doesn’t already have a desktop shortcut, right-click the app in the Start menu and choose Open file location. In the folder that opens, right-click the app’s icon and select Create shortcut. Confirm any prompts to place the shortcut on your desktop.
- Rename the Shortcut (Optional): To keep things organized, rename the shortcut to something memorable, like “My Mail” or “Work Dashboard.” Right-click the shortcut, select Rename, and type your preferred name.
- Set the Shortcut to Launch the App: Right-click the desktop shortcut and select Properties. In the Shortcut tab, locate the Target field. Here, you’ll specify the command to launch the Metro app. To find the correct command, right-click the shortcut, select Open file location, then right-click the app, choose Properties, and note the Target path. Usually, Metro apps are launched via a specific protocol or app ID.
- Use the App’s Protocol or App ID (if needed): For UWP apps, you can launch them using the Shell:AppsFolder command with the app’s package family name. For example, you can find the app’s package name by using PowerShell commands or online resources. The general format is:
explorer shell:AppsFolder"{PackageFamilyName}Related
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How To Create Keyboard Shortcuts To Launch Metro Apps