UWPHook: The Complete Guide for Windows App Shortcuts
What UWPHook is
UWPHook is a lightweight Windows utility that creates conventional shortcuts (EXE/URL/desktop shortcuts) for Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and Microsoft Store apps. It lets you launch Store apps from the desktop, Start menu, third‑party launchers, or Steam by generating standard shortcuts that reference a UWP app’s AppUserModelID or package family name.
Why use UWPHook
- Compatibility: Enables UWP apps to be launched by programs that only accept classic shortcuts or executables (e.g., Steam, third‑party game launchers, some automation tools).
- Convenience: Create desktop, Start menu, or Steam shortcuts for apps that don’t expose an .exe.
- Flexibility: Customize icon, arguments (for apps that accept protocol/activation arguments), and shortcut metadata.
Key features
- Create shortcuts for installed Store/UWP apps using their AppUserModelID or AUMID.
- Add shortcuts to Steam as non‑Steam games (so you can use the Steam Overlay, controller support, screenshots).
- Export/import lists of shortcuts.
- Specify custom icons for created shortcuts.
- Simple GUI; some versions include a command‑line or portable mode.
How it works (high level)
- UWPHook enumerates installed UWP packages and reads their AppUserModelIDs/package family names.
- It generates a Windows shortcut (.lnk) or adds an entry to Steam that uses a small shim or protocol to trigger the UWP activation API.
- When invoked, the shim activates the UWP package by calling the appropriate Windows activation path for that AppUserModelID.
Typical use cases
- Adding Microsoft Store games or apps to Steam to use Steam features (Overlay, controller mapping).
- Launching UWP utilities from automation scripts or third‑party launchers that expect EXE shortcuts.
- Creating desktop shortcuts for apps removed from Start > All apps or difficult to find.
Quick step‑by‑step: create a desktop shortcut with UWPHook
- Download UWPHook from its official release page (use the project’s GitHub or trusted source).
- Run UWPHook (portable .exe usually).
- In the app list, find the UWP/Store app you want.
- Select the app and choose “Create shortcut” or “Add to desktop/Steam.”
- Optionally set a custom icon and label.
- Confirm — UWPHook will create a .lnk file on your desktop or add the app to Steam.
Adding a UWP app to Steam (brief)
- In UWPHook, select the app and choose “Add to Steam.”
- UWPHook typically creates a non‑Steam game entry pointing to a launcher that activates the UWP app.
- Open Steam, find the new non‑Steam game, then set desired Steam properties (icon, controller config).
- Launch from Steam; Steam’s overlay and controller support should be available for many UWP games.
Troubleshooting common issues
- Shortcut won’t launch: ensure the UWP app is still installed and its AUMID hasn’t changed; re‑create the shortcut.
- No Steam overlay: some UWP titles block overlays or use different rendering paths; try Steam launch options or run Steam as administrator.
- Wrong icon: set a custom icon in UWPHook or edit the .lnk properties in Windows Explorer.
- Permissions: run UWPHook with the same user account that installed the UWP app.
Security & sources
- Use the official UWPHook release (project GitHub or author’s page) to avoid tampered binaries.
- Review release notes and community comments for known issues and compatibility notes.
Alternatives
- Manual creation via PowerShell scripts that call Windows activation APIs (advanced).
- Third‑party wrappers or community tools that specifically target Steam integration.
Useful commands / tips
- Recreate shortcuts after major Windows updates or after reinstalling apps.
- Use custom icons (.ico files) to make Store app shortcuts visually consistent with classic apps.
- Back up your UWPHook shortcut list if you maintain many entries.
If you want, I can:
- Provide download links and the latest release notes (I’ll fetch current sources), or
- Give exact PowerShell commands to launch a UWP app directly without UWPHook.
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