Windows 10: Create File Explorer UWP app Shortcut in Windows 10

How to: Create File Explorer UWP app Shortcut in Windows 10

How to Create a UWP File Explorer app Shortcut in Windows 10


Windows 10 Insider Preview build 14936 includes a new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) File Explorer app that is still an unfinished early version. It is a touch oriented app, with no Ribbon, toolbar, or any shell extensions like the File Explorer app in Windows 10 Mobile.

This tutorial will show you how to create or download a UWP File Explorer app shortcut in Windows 10.

Give the early version of this UWP File Explorer app a play with, and please post about your findings and thoughts about the app so far.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Download a UWP File Explorer app Shortcut
• Option Two: To Manually Create a UWP File Explorer app Shortcut

EXAMPLE: Universal Windows Platform (UWP) File Explorer app










OPTION ONE [/i] To Download a UWP File Explorer app Shortcut
1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .zip file below.
Universal_File_Explorer_shortcut.zip

Download
2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.

3. Unblock the .zip file.

4. Open the .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the shortcut to your desktop.

5. If you like, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.

6. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .zip file if you like.





OPTION TWO [/i] To Manually Create a UWP File Explorer app Shortcut
1. Right click or press and hold on an empty area on your desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.

2. Copy and paste the location below into the location area, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

*Arrow %windir%\explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515_cw5n1h2txyewy!App



3. Type Universal File Explorer for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)

*note You could name this shortcut anything you would like though.



4. If you like, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.

That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Change Default App Mode to Light or Dark Theme in Windows 10

:)

 

New file explorer in Fall Creators update, option to disable?

You mean the UWP version (other apps also are thrown into that shell as well)...?



I have not personally used the latest releases, but I would be very surprised if there is not a on/off for it and other apps and the UWP type interface for this release. It may not last forever, but given the

UWP version of File Explorer was able to be ENABLED in "Creators Update", it will likely have a similar "enable/disable" type situation in "Fall Creators Update".

 

Launch Path for UWPs

I have a MS wireless keyboard 3000 v2. With the MS mouse and keyboard centre, some of the shortcut keys can be used to trigger specific actions or launch specific apps.

I have not trouble setting shortcuts for win32 apps but not for UWP apps. If I create a shortcut for the UWPs on the desktop and reference to open the UWP via that shortcut I get an catastrophic error prompt.





any ides to launch a UWP?

 

Additional:
Drag & drop from File Explorer(a text document) into the UWP version to the Public documents, does not work yet.
Also there is no paste option. Ctrl+v doesn't do it either.

Using the Copy To in the same folder(quick access) worked, then the delete worked too, BUT... It deletes it directly, and does not move it to recycle bin, so BEWARE!

 

Search works realllly fast:

 

To get the shortcut in the Start Menu, go to C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
and follow Option Two in the tutorial.




It will:
1.) Place a shortcut in the All Apps column.
2.) Then just right click and select "Pin to Start"

 

There you go, then, it is exciting!!

 

I told you so(in the other thread)*Biggrin

 

Universal File Explorer skins! *Biggrin
Can't do much though, can't even launch an executable.

 

The UWP File Explorer will render custom icons but not for folders, much like the Start Menu! *Sad
You can create new folders and move items that will reflect in the Win32 environment.

(That icon pack looks great with a dark UI!) *Wink

 

Too bad we can't do this with free software*Wink

 

I can't seem to enable UWP Explorer any more. I'm currently on build 14393.969.

 

Hey Nick, *Smile

You might see if re-registering your apps may allow it to work afterwards.

Reinstall and Re-register Apps in Windows 8 and 10 - Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials

 

Thanks Sean, will try that in the morning. Never do things when you're tired *Tongue