Shortcut for Windows apps

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the applications that
appear on windows 8 tile page? I want to have a shortcut for several
programs that only appear as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

Marv wrote:
Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the applications that
appear on windows 8 tile page? I want to have a shortcut for several
programs that only appear as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

Shortcut to an app that runs in the Modern UI mode or a shortcut to an
application that runs in the Desktop mode ?

And where would you like the shortcut to reside ?
Desktop, Modern UI Start Screen, Task Bar, Quick Launch Toolbar,
eslewhere, etc.



--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps

On Thu, 03 Oct 2013 21:32:10 -0400, ...winston wrote:

Marv wrote:
Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the applications that
appear on windows 8 tile page? I want to have a shortcut for several
programs that only appear as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

Shortcut to an app that runs in the Modern UI mode or a shortcut to an
application that runs in the Desktop mode ?

And where would you like the shortcut to reside ?
Desktop, Modern UI Start Screen, Task Bar, Quick Launch Toolbar,
eslewhere, etc.

He said this: "...place the shortcut on the desktop".

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

With Classic Shell you can launch any of the applications that
appear on windows 8 tile page from a Start menu on the desktop.

"Marv" wrote...
Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the applications that
appear on windows 8 tile page? I want to have a shortcut for several
programs that only appear as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I want
to have a shortcut for several programs that only appear
as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that creates a start menu
you can just copy/paste or drag from the Start/Programs menu.

If you don't have CS you will find them at...

C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts

and can just copy/paste or drag them from there, renaming the new shortcut
as you see fit.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

On 10/4/2013 10:41 AM, dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I want
to have a shortcut for several programs that only appear
as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that creates a start menu
you can just copy/paste or drag from the Start/Programs menu.

If you don't have CS you will find them at...

C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts

and can just copy/paste or drag them from there, renaming the new shortcut
as you see fit.


I guess I am missing something. If I click on the Start orb in Classic
Start, right click on an app it will start in the metro screen as I
would expect. What I am attempting to do is create a shortcut for the
app on the desktop. If I click on the icon that I copied to the desktop
and create a shortcut it simply duplicates what I dragged to the
desktop. It appears to be a shortcut but clicking on it does nothing.

On Fri, 04 Oct 2013 12:10:10 -0400, Marv wrote:

On 10/4/2013 10:41 AM, dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I want
to have a shortcut for several programs that only appear
as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that creates a start menu
you can just copy/paste or drag from the Start/Programs menu.

If you don't have CS you will find them at...

C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts

and can just copy/paste or drag them from there, renaming the new shortcut
as you see fit.


I guess I am missing something. If I click on the Start orb in Classic
Start, right click on an app it will start in the metro screen as I
would expect. What I am attempting to do is create a shortcut for the
app on the desktop. If I click on the icon that I copied to the desktop
and create a shortcut it simply duplicates what I dragged to the
desktop. It appears to be a shortcut but clicking on it does nothing.

I am trying to understand what you said. "I click on the icon that I
copied to the desktop and create a shortcut" confuses me.

Why not just copy the shortcut to the desktop. Find the shortcut, right
click on it and select Copy, go to the desktop, right click somwhere and
select Paste. Now you have a working shortcut on the desktop.

Disclaimer: I am not at the W8 computer as I write this. I know it works
in W7; if there's a reason why it won't work in W8, then with any luck
someone will correct me :-)

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

Hi, Marv.

As always, you can navigate to the folder that holds your application's
executable file, then right-click on that .exe file and choose to "Create
shortcut". Win8 will pop up a box that says, "Windows can't create a
shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop
instead?" You answer "Yes", of course, and the shortcut icon appears on
your desktop.

Win8 is much more customizable than many users realize - because they take
one look at the Start Menu and panic, or they get to the Desktop but don't
see a Start Orb - or a Menu listing like they saw in WinXP/7, etc. But a
little exploring, trial and error, and customizing has made Win8 at least as
usable as Win7 for me.

Step 1: On the Start Menu, with all those tiles, drag the Desktop tile to
the upper left corner. Then press Enter. Whatever is in this upper left
position will launch when we press Enter. (So the infamous "hidden desktop"
is only one key-press away at Startup.)

Step 2: Use the desktop's Taskbar for your combination Menu and Quick
Launch Toolbar. Pin a dozen or so of your most-used apps here, then you can
launch any of them from the desktop with a single click, even when another
app is running.

Step 3: Enable Jump Lists on the Taskbar. (Took me a while to remember
how to find this because I did it so long ago; there are probably
better/faster ways, but this works Press the WinKey and type "taskbar";
when it says "No apps...", click on Settings, then on Customize the taskbar.
On Taskbar Properties, click the Jump Lists tab. Check both of those boxes
and set the number of recent items to display; mine is set to 10. (There
are several other setting on these screens that you might like to try, such
as Auto-hide the taskbar.) Now, when I want a favorite Excel spreadsheet, I
can right-click on the big "X" icon on the Taskbar and choose from my 10
latest spreadsheets (rainfall chart, financial status, Rotary Club
addresses, etc.) without having to start Excel then choose, or have a
separate desktop icon for each one.

My first reaction to Win8 was about like every other Win7 user. But after a
few weeks, it felt like home - and I wouldn't want to go back. Who needs
Classic anything? ;)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2012 (Build 16.4.3508.0205) in Win8 Pro


"Marv" wrote in message ...

On 10/4/2013 10:41 AM, dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I want
to have a shortcut for several programs that only appear
as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that creates a start
menu
you can just copy/paste or drag from the Start/Programs menu.

If you don't have CS you will find them at...

C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts

and can just copy/paste or drag them from there, renaming the new
shortcut
as you see fit.


I guess I am missing something. If I click on the Start orb in Classic
Start, right click on an app it will start in the metro screen as I
would expect. What I am attempting to do is create a shortcut for the
app on the desktop. If I click on the icon that I copied to the desktop
and create a shortcut it simply duplicates what I dragged to the
desktop. It appears to be a shortcut but clicking on it does nothing.

Marv wrote:
On 10/4/2013 10:41 AM, dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I want
to have a shortcut for several programs that only appear
as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that creates a
start menu
you can just copy/paste or drag from the Start/Programs menu.

If you don't have CS you will find them at...

C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts

and can just copy/paste or drag them from there, renaming the new
shortcut
as you see fit.


I guess I am missing something. If I click on the Start orb in Classic
Start, right click on an app it will start in the metro screen as I
would expect. What I am attempting to do is create a shortcut for the
app on the desktop. If I click on the icon that I copied to the desktop
and create a shortcut it simply duplicates what I dragged to the
desktop. It appears to be a shortcut but clicking on it does nothing.

Are you attempting to create a shortcut to a Windows 8 Modern UI app
(e.g. Mail, Photos, Calendar, News or similar ?
i.e. not a shortcut to a desktop application program that has a tile
on the Modern UI screen

Why not tell us the app or application that the shortcut would open.


--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps

"Marv" wrote in message

On 10/4/2013 10:41 AM, dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I
want to have a shortcut for several programs that
only appear as tiles and place the shortcut on the
desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that
creates a start menu you can just copy/paste or drag
from the Start/Programs menu. If you don't have CS you will find them
at...

C:\Users\user
name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts and can just copy/paste or drag them from there,
renaming the new shortcut as you see fit.


I guess I am missing something. If I click on the Start
orb in Classic Start, right click on an app it will start
in the metro screen as I would expect. What I am
attempting to do is create a shortcut for the app on the
desktop. If I click on the icon that I copied to the
desktop and create a shortcut it simply duplicates what I
dragged to the desktop. It appears to be a shortcut but
clicking on it does nothing.

Sorry I misled you. One would think that an app shortcut copied from
Start/Programs to the desktop would work but you're right, they don't. Nor
does browsing to the location to which the shortcut points and clicking what
is there.

It would seem to be more of Microsoft's continuous obfuscation of things.
That and money; the fact that the "apps" don't reside on one's computer and
that they are mostly accessed via Windows Live leads me to believe MS is
collecting everytime you click on one.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

On 10/4/2013 4:46 PM, ...winston wrote:
Marv wrote:
On 10/4/2013 10:41 AM, dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I want
to have a shortcut for several programs that only appear
as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that creates a
start menu
you can just copy/paste or drag from the Start/Programs menu.

If you don't have CS you will find them at...

C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts

and can just copy/paste or drag them from there, renaming the new
shortcut
as you see fit.


I guess I am missing something. If I click on the Start orb in Classic
Start, right click on an app it will start in the metro screen as I
would expect. What I am attempting to do is create a shortcut for the
app on the desktop. If I click on the icon that I copied to the desktop
and create a shortcut it simply duplicates what I dragged to the
desktop. It appears to be a shortcut but clicking on it does nothing.

Are you attempting to create a shortcut to a Windows 8 Modern UI app
(e.g. Mail, Photos, Calendar, News or similar ?
i.e. not a shortcut to a desktop application program that has a tile
on the Modern UI screen

Why not tell us the app or application that the shortcut would open.


Yes, I am attempting to create a shortcut on the desktop for some games
that I got from the Windows store. By the same token, I would like to
create a tile in the metro for some existing programs that are now on
the desktop.

The response I received from dadiOH indicates the problem I have been
receiving.

Marv wrote:
On 10/4/2013 4:46 PM, ...winston wrote:
Marv wrote:
On 10/4/2013 10:41 AM, dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I want
to have a shortcut for several programs that only appear
as tiles and place the shortcut on the desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that creates a
start menu
you can just copy/paste or drag from the Start/Programs menu.

If you don't have CS you will find them at...

C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts

and can just copy/paste or drag them from there, renaming the new
shortcut
as you see fit.


I guess I am missing something. If I click on the Start orb in Classic
Start, right click on an app it will start in the metro screen as I
would expect. What I am attempting to do is create a shortcut for the
app on the desktop. If I click on the icon that I copied to the desktop
and create a shortcut it simply duplicates what I dragged to the
desktop. It appears to be a shortcut but clicking on it does nothing.

Are you attempting to create a shortcut to a Windows 8 Modern UI app
(e.g. Mail, Photos, Calendar, News or similar ?
i.e. not a shortcut to a desktop application program that has a tile
on the Modern UI screen

Why not tell us the app or application that the shortcut would open.


Yes, I am attempting to create a shortcut on the desktop for some games
that I got from the Windows store. By the same token, I would like to
create a tile in the metro for some existing programs that are now on
the desktop.

The response I received from dadiOH indicates the problem I have been
receiving.

For the former...shortcuts to Modern UI and Store apps
- While it can be done, it is complex
See these articles
http://superuser.com/questions/47897...-modern-ui-app


http://www.itsjustwhatever.com/2012/...-command-line/


Note: the above does not work (and unlikely to) for all MSFT Store
installed apps especially those not included by design with Win8 as-shipped.

My personaly opinion on adding Modern UI app shortcuts to the Desktop
- useless

For the latter (desktop programs)...you'll need to be more clear.
You stated 'existing programs that are now on the Desktop'. Programs are
not installed to the Desktop.
- Might you be referring to a shortcut on the Desktop to an actual
program installed on Win8 ?
- If so, right click the Desktop shortcut or navigate to the Program's
exe file. After rt. clicking scroll and click add/Pin to Start Menu (if
the option is available) then go to the Modern UI and move the tile to a
position of your choice.

--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps

dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

On 10/4/2013 10:41 AM, dadiOH wrote:
"Marv" wrote in message

Is there a means of creating a shortcut for any of the
applications that appear on windows 8 tile page? I
want to have a shortcut for several programs that
only appear as tiles and place the shortcut on the
desktop.

If you have Classic Shell or other similar program that
creates a start menu you can just copy/paste or drag
from the Start/Programs menu. If you don't have CS you will find them
at...

C:\Users\user
name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Application
Shortcuts and can just copy/paste or drag them from there,
renaming the new shortcut as you see fit.


I guess I am missing something. If I click on the Start
orb in Classic Start, right click on an app it will start
in the metro screen as I would expect. What I am
attempting to do is create a shortcut for the app on the
desktop. If I click on the icon that I copied to the
desktop and create a shortcut it simply duplicates what I
dragged to the desktop. It appears to be a shortcut but
clicking on it does nothing.

Sorry I misled you. One would think that an app shortcut copied from
Start/Programs to the desktop would work but you're right, they don't. Nor
does browsing to the location to which the shortcut points and clicking what
is there.

It would seem to be more of Microsoft's continuous obfuscation of things.
That and money; the fact that the "apps" don't reside on one's computer and
that they are mostly accessed via Windows Live leads me to believe MS is
collecting everytime you click on one.


Windows Live no longer exists. It all part of Windows now. Windows 8 and
apps by design have telemetric data collection upon use....by
installation and use you agree to that. One might not like, but they did
agree to it....thus ranting is fine, the impact of that rant though is nil.

--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps