Integrate your desktop app with Windows by using packaging extensions

Article
05/07/2024

If your desktop app is packaged (has package identity at runtime), then you can use extensions to integrate your app with Windows by using predefined extensions in the package manifest. Also see Features that require package identity.

For example, use an extension to create a firewall exception; make your app the default application for a file type; or point Start tiles to your app. To use an extension, just add some XML to your app's package manifest file. No code is required.

This topic describes those extensions and the tasks that you can perform by using them.

Note

The features described in this topic require that your app is packaged (has package identity at runtime). That includes packaged apps (see Create a new project for a packaged WinUI 3 desktop app) and packaged apps with external location (see Grant package identity by packaging with external location). Also see Features that require package identity.

Transition users to your app

Help users transition to your packaged app.

Redirect your existing desktop app to your packaged app
Point existing Start tiles and taskbar buttons to your packaged app
Make your packaged app open files instead of your desktop app
Associate your packaged app with a set of file types
Add options to the context menus of files that have a certain file type
Open certain types of files directly by using a URL

Redirect your existing desktop app to your packaged app

When users start your existing unpackaged desktop app, you can configure your packaged app to be opened instead.

Note

This feature is supported in Windows Insider Preview Build 21313 and later versions.

To enable this behavior:

Add registry entries to redirect your unpackaged desktop app executable to your packaged app.
Register your packaged app to be launched when your unpackaged desktop app executable is launched.

Add registry entries to redirect your unpackaged desktop app executable

In the registry, create a subkey with the name of your desktop app executable file under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options key.
Under this subkey, add the following values:
- AppExecutionAliasRedirect (DWORD): If set to 1, the system will check for an AppExecutionAlias package extension with the same name as the executable. If the AppExecutionAlias extension is enabled, the packaged app will be activated using that value.
- AppExecutionAliasRedirectPackages (REG_SZ): The system will redirect only to the listed packages. Packages are listed by their package family name, separated by semicolons. If the special value * is used, the system will redirect to an AppExecutionAlias from any package.

For example:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\contosoapp.exe 
    AppExecutionAliasRedirect = 1
    AppExecutionAliasRedirectPackages = "Microsoft.WindowsNotepad_8weky8webbe"

Register your packaged app to be launched

In your package manifest, add an AppExecutionAlias extension that registers the name of your unpackaged desktop app executable. For example:

<Package
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap3">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap3:Extension Category="windows.appExecutionAlias" EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication">
          <uap3:AppExecutionAlias>
            <desktop:ExecutionAlias Alias="contosoapp.exe" />
          </uap3:AppExecutionAlias>
        </uap3:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Disable the redirection

Users can turn off the redirection and launch your unpackaged app executable via these options:

They can uninstall the packaged version of your app.
The user can disable the AppExecutionAlias entry for your packaged app in the App execution aliases page in Settings.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10

Elements and attributes of this extension

<uap3:Extension
    Category="windows.appExecutionAlias"
    EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication">
    <uap3:AppExecutionAlias>
        <desktop:ExecutionAlias Alias="[AliasName]" />
    </uap3:AppExecutionAlias>
</uap3:Extension>

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.appExecutionAlias`.
Executable	The relative path to the executable to start when the alias is invoked.
Alias	The short name for your app. It must always end with the ".exe" extension.

Point existing Start tiles and taskbar buttons to your packaged app

Your users might have pinned your desktop application to the taskbar or the Start menu. You can point those shortcuts to your new packaged app.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.desktopAppMigration">
    <DesktopAppMigration>
        <DesktopApp AumId="[your_app_aumid]" />
        <DesktopApp ShortcutPath="[path]" />
    </DesktopAppMigration>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.desktopAppMigration`.
AumID	The Application User Model ID of your packaged app.
ShortcutPath	The path to .lnk files that start the desktop version of your app.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:rescap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="rescap3">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <rescap3:Extension Category="windows.desktopAppMigration">
          <rescap3:DesktopAppMigration>
            <rescap3:DesktopApp AumId="[your_app_aumid]" />
            <rescap3:DesktopApp ShortcutPath="%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\[my_app].lnk" />
            <rescap3:DesktopApp ShortcutPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\[my_app].lnk" />
            <rescap3:DesktopApp ShortcutPath="%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\[my_app_folder]\[my_app].lnk"/>
         </rescap3:DesktopAppMigration>
        </rescap3:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

WPF picture viewer with transition/migration/uninstallation

Make your packaged application open files instead of your desktop app

You can make sure that users open your new packaged application by default for specific types of files instead of opening the desktop version of your app.

To do that, you'll specify the programmatic identifier (ProgID) of each application from which you want to inherit file associations.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]">
         <MigrationProgIds>
            <MigrationProgId>"[ProgID]"</MigrationProgId>
        </MigrationProgIds>
    </FileTypeAssociation>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
MigrationProgId	The programmatic identifier (ProgID) that describes the application, component, and version of the desktop application from which you want to inherit file associations.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  xmlns:rescap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap3, rescap3">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
          <uap3:FileTypeAssociation Name="myfiletypes">
            <rescap3:MigrationProgIds>
              <rescap3:MigrationProgId>Foo.Bar.1</rescap3:MigrationProgId>
              <rescap3:MigrationProgId>Foo.Bar.2</rescap3:MigrationProgId>
            </rescap3:MigrationProgIds>
          </uap3:FileTypeAssociation>
        </uap:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

WPF picture viewer with transition/migration/uninstallation

Associate your packaged application with a set of file types

You can associate your packaged application with file type extensions. If a user right-clicks a file in File Explorer and then selects the Open with option, your application appears in the list of suggestions. For more information about using this extension, see Integrate a packaged desktop app with File Explorer.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]">
        <SupportedFileTypes>
            <FileType>"[file extension]"</FileType>
        </SupportedFileTypes>
    </FileTypeAssociation>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
FileType	The file extension supported by your app.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap, uap3">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
          <uap3:FileTypeAssociation Name="mediafiles">
            <uap:SupportedFileTypes>
            <uap:FileType>.avi</uap:FileType>
            </uap:SupportedFileTypes>
          </uap3:FileTypeAssociation>
        </uap:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

WPF picture viewer with transition/migration/uninstallation

Add options to the context menus of files that have a certain file type

This extension enables you to add options to the context menu that displays when users right-click a file in File Explorer.These options give users other ways to interact with your file such as print, edit, or preview the file. For more information about using this extension, see Integrate a packaged desktop app with File Explorer.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]">
        <SupportedVerbs>
           <Verb Id="[ID]" Extended="[Extended]" Parameters="[parameters]">"[verb label]"</Verb>
        </SupportedVerbs>
    </FileTypeAssociation>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
Verb	The name that appears in the File Explorer context menu. This string is localizable that uses `ms-resource`.
Id	The unique Id of the verb. If your application is a UWP app, this is passed to your app as part of its activation event args so it can handle the user’s selection appropriately. If your application is a full-trust packaged app, it receives parameters instead (see the next bullet).
Parameters	The list of argument parameters and values associated with the verb. If your application is a full-trust packaged app, these parameters are passed to the application as event args when the application is activated. You can customize the behavior of your application based on different activation verbs. If a variable can contain a file path, wrap the parameter value in quotes. That will avoid any issues that happen in cases where the path includes spaces. If your application is a UWP app, you can’t pass parameters. The app receives the Id instead (see the previous bullet).
Extended	Specifies that the verb appears only if the user shows the context menu by holding the Shift key before right-clicking the file. This attribute is optional and defaults to a value of False (for example, always show the verb) if not listed. You specify this behavior individually for each verb (except for "Open," which is always False).

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
  xmlns:uap2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2"
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"

  IgnorableNamespaces="uap, uap2, uap3">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
          <uap3:FileTypeAssociation Name="myfiletypes">
            <uap2:SupportedVerbs>
              <uap3:Verb Id="Edit" Parameters="/e &quot;%1&quot;">Edit</uap3:Verb>
              <uap3:Verb Id="Print" Extended="true" Parameters="/p &quot;%1&quot;">Print</uap3:Verb>
            </uap2:SupportedVerbs>
          </uap3:FileTypeAssociation>
        </uap:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

WPF picture viewer with transition/migration/uninstallation

Open certain types of files directly by using a URL

You can make sure that users open your new packaged application by default for specific types of files instead of opening the desktop version of your app.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]" UseUrl="true" Parameters="%1">
        <SupportedFileTypes>
            <FileType>"[FileExtension]"</FileType>
        </SupportedFileTypes>
    </FileTypeAssociation>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
UseUrl	Indicates whether to open files directly from a URL target. If you do not set this value, attempts by your application to open a file by using a URL cause the system to first download the file locally.
Parameters	Optional parameters.
FileType	The relevant file extensions.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap, uap3">
  <Applications>
      <Application>
        <Extensions>
          <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
            <uap3:FileTypeAssociation Name="myfiletypes" UseUrl="true" Parameters="%1">
              <uap:SupportedFileTypes>
                <uap:FileType>.txt</uap:FileType>
                <uap:FileType>.doc</uap:FileType>
              </uap:SupportedFileTypes>
            </uap3:FileTypeAssociation>
          </uap:Extension>
        </Extensions>
      </Application>
    </Applications>
</Package>

Perform setup tasks

Create firewall exception for your app
Place your DLL files into any folder of the package

Create firewall exception for your app

If your application requires communication through a port, you can add your application to the list of firewall exceptions.

Note

To use the "windows.firewallRules" extension category (see below), your package needs the Full Trust Permission Level restricted capability. See Restricted capability list.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.firewallRules">
  <FirewallRules Executable="[executable file name]">
    <Rule
      Direction="[Direction]"
      IPProtocol="[Protocol]"
      LocalPortMin="[LocalPortMin]"
      LocalPortMax="LocalPortMax"
      RemotePortMin="RemotePortMin"
      RemotePortMax="RemotePortMax"
      Profile="[Profile]"/>
  </FirewallRules>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.firewallRules`
Executable	The name of the executable file that you want to add to the list of firewall exceptions
Direction	Indicates whether the rule is an inbound or outbound rule
IPProtocol	The communication protocol
LocalPortMin	The lower port number in a range of local port numbers.
LocalPortMax	The highest port number of a range of local port numbers.
RemotePortMax	The lower port number in a range of remote port numbers.
RemotePortMax	The highest port number of a range of remote port numbers.
Profile	The network type

Example

<Package
  xmlns:desktop2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2"
  IgnorableNamespaces="desktop2">
  <Extensions>
    <desktop2:Extension Category="windows.firewallRules">
      <desktop2:FirewallRules Executable="Contoso.exe">
          <desktop2:Rule Direction="in" IPProtocol="TCP" Profile="all"/>
          <desktop2:Rule Direction="in" IPProtocol="UDP" LocalPortMin="1337" LocalPortMax="1338" Profile="domain"/>
          <desktop2:Rule Direction="in" IPProtocol="UDP" LocalPortMin="1337" LocalPortMax="1338" Profile="public"/>
          <desktop2:Rule Direction="out" IPProtocol="UDP" LocalPortMin="1339" LocalPortMax="1340" RemotePortMin="15"
                         RemotePortMax="19" Profile="domainAndPrivate"/>
          <desktop2:Rule Direction="out" IPProtocol="GRE" Profile="private"/>
      </desktop2:FirewallRules>
  </desktop2:Extension>
</Extensions>
</Package>

Place your DLL files into any folder of the package

Use the uap6:LoaderSearchPathOverride extension to declare up to five folder paths in the app package, relative to the app package root path, to be used in the loader search path for the app's processes.

The DLL search order for Windows apps includes packages in the package dependency graph if the packages have execution rights. By default, this includes main, optional and framework packages, although this can be overwritten by the uap6:AllowExecution element in the package manifest.

A package that is included in the DLL search order will, by default, include its effective path. For more information about effective paths, see the EffectivePath property (WinRT) and the PackagePathType enumeration (Win32).

If a package specifies uap6:LoaderSearchPathOverride, then this information is used instead of the package's effective path.

Each package can contain only one uap6:LoaderSearchPathOverride extension. That means that you can add one of them to your main package, and then add one to each of your optional packages, and related sets.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/6

Elements and attributes of this extension

Declare this extension at the package-level of your app manifest.

<Extension Category="windows.loaderSearchPathOverride">
  <LoaderSearchPathOverride>
    <LoaderSearchPathEntry FolderPath="[path]"/>
  </LoaderSearchPathOverride>
</Extension>

Name Description

Category Always windows.loaderSearchPathOverride.

FolderPath The path of the folder that contains your DLL files. Specify a path that is relative to the root folder of the package. You can specify up to five paths in one extension. If you want the system to search for files in the root folder of the package, use an empty string for one of these paths. Don't include duplicate paths, and make sure that your paths don't contain leading and trailing slashes or backslashes.

The system won't search subfolders, so make sure to explicitly list each folder that contains DLL files that you want the system to load.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.loaderSearchPathOverride`.
FolderPath	The path of the folder that contains your DLL files. Specify a path that is relative to the root folder of the package. You can specify up to five paths in one extension. If you want the system to search for files in the root folder of the package, use an empty string for one of these paths. Don't include duplicate paths, and make sure that your paths don't contain leading and trailing slashes or backslashes. The system won't search subfolders, so make sure to explicitly list each folder that contains DLL files that you want the system to load.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/6"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap6">
  ...
    <Extensions>
      <uap6:Extension Category="windows.loaderSearchPathOverride">
        <uap6:LoaderSearchPathOverride>
          <uap6:LoaderSearchPathEntry FolderPath=""/>
          <uap6:LoaderSearchPathEntry FolderPath="folder1/subfolder1"/>
          <uap6:LoaderSearchPathEntry FolderPath="folder2/subfolder2"/>
        </uap6:LoaderSearchPathOverride>
      </uap6:Extension>
    </Extensions>
...
</Package>

Integrate with File Explorer

Help users organize your files and interact with them in familiar ways.

Define how your application behaves when users select and open multiple files at the same time
Show file contents in a thumbnail image within File Explorer
Show file contents in a Preview pane of File Explorer
Enable users to group files by using the Kind column in File Explorer
Make file properties available to search, index, property dialogs, and the details pane
Specify a context menu handler for a file type
Make files from your cloud service appear in File Explorer

Define how your application behaves when users select and open multiple files at the same time

Specify how your application behaves when a user opens multiple files simultaneously.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]" MultiSelectModel="[SelectionModel]">
        <SupportedVerbs>
            <Verb Id="Edit" MultiSelectModel="[SelectionModel]">Edit</Verb>
        </SupportedVerbs>
        <SupportedFileTypes>
            <FileType>"[FileExtension]"</FileType>
        </SupportedFileTypes>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
MultiSelectModel	See below
FileType	The relevant file extensions.

MultiSelectModel

packaged desktop apps have the same three options as regular desktop apps.

Player: Your application is activated one time. All of the selected files are passed to your application as argument parameters.
Single: Your application is activated one time for the first selected file. Other files are ignored.
Document: A new, separate instance of your application is activated for each selected file.

You can set different preferences for different file types and actions. For example, you may wish to open Documents in Document mode and Images in Player mode.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
  xmlns:uap2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2"
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap, uap2, uap3">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
          <uap3:FileTypeAssociation Name="myfiletypes" MultiSelectModel="Document">
            <uap2:SupportedVerbs>
              <uap3:Verb Id="Edit" MultiSelectModel="Player">Edit</uap3:Verb>
              <uap3:Verb Id="Preview" MultiSelectModel="Document">Preview</uap3:Verb>
            </uap2:SupportedVerbs>
            <uap:SupportedFileTypes>
              <uap:FileType>.txt</uap:FileType>
            </uap:SupportedFileTypes>
        </uap:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

If the user opens 15 or fewer files, the default choice for the MultiSelectModel attribute is Player. Otherwise, the default is Document. UWP apps are always started as Player.

Show file contents in a thumbnail image within File Explorer

Enable users to view a thumbnail image of the file's contents when the icon of the file appears in the medium, large, or extra large size.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]">
        <SupportedFileTypes>
            <FileType>"[FileExtension]"</FileType>
        </SupportedFileTypes>
        <ThumbnailHandler
            Clsid  ="[Clsid  ]" />
    </FileTypeAssociation>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
FileType	The relevant file extensions.
Clsid	The class ID of your app.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
  xmlns:uap2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2"
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  xmlns:desktop2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap, uap2, uap3, desktop2">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
          <uap3:FileTypeAssociation Name="myfiletypes">
            <uap:SupportedFileTypes>
              <uap:FileType>.bar</uap:FileType>
            </uap:SupportedFileTypes>
            <desktop2:ThumbnailHandler
              Clsid  ="20000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001"  />
            </uap3:FileTypeAssociation>
         </uap::Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Show file contents in the Preview pane of File Explorer

Enable users to preview a file's contents in the Preview pane of File Explorer.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]">
        <SupportedFileTypes>
            <FileType>"[FileExtension]"</FileType>
        </SupportedFileTypes>
        <DesktopPreviewHandler Clsid  ="[Clsid  ]" />
    </FileTypeAssociation>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
FileType	The relevant file extensions.
Clsid	The class ID of your app.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
  xmlns:uap2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/2"
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  xmlns:desktop2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap, uap2, uap3, desktop2">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
          <uap3:FileTypeAssociation Name="myfiletypes">
            <uap:SupportedFileTypes>
              <uap:FileType>.bar</uap:FileType>
                </uap:SupportedFileTypes>
              <desktop2:DesktopPreviewHandler Clsid ="20000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001" />
           </uap3:FileTypeAssociation>
        </uap:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Enable users to group files by using the Kind column in File Explorer

You can associate one or more predefined values for your file types with the Kind field.

In File Explorer, users can group those files by using that field. System components also use this field for various purposes such as indexing.

For more information about the Kind field and the values that you can use for this field, see Using Kind Names.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]">
        <SupportedFileTypes>
            <FileType>"[FileExtension]"</FileType>
        </SupportedFileTypes>
        <KindMap>
            <Kind value="[KindValue]">
        </KindMap>
    </FileTypeAssociation>
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
FileType	The relevant file extensions.
value	A valid Kind value

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
  xmlns:rescap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap, rescap">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
           <uap:FileTypeAssociation Name="mediafiles">
             <uap:SupportedFileTypes>
               <uap:FileType>.m4a</uap:FileType>
               <uap:FileType>.mta</uap:FileType>
             </uap:SupportedFileTypes>
             <rescap:KindMap>
               <rescap:Kind value="Item">
               <rescap:Kind value="Communications">
               <rescap:Kind value="Task">
             </rescap:KindMap>
          </uap:FileTypeAssociation>
      </uap:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Make file properties available to search, index, property dialogs, and the details pane

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2

Elements and attributes of this extension

<uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
    <uap:FileTypeAssociation Name="[Name]">
        <SupportedFileTypes>
            <FileType>.bar</FileType>
        </SupportedFileTypes>
        <DesktopPropertyHandler Clsid ="[Clsid]"/>
    </uap:FileTypeAssociation>
</uap:Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fileTypeAssociation`.
Name	The name of the file type association. You can use this name to organize and group file types. The name must be all lower case characters with no spaces.
FileType	The relevant file extensions.
Clsid	The class ID of your app.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  xmlns:desktop2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap, uap3, desktop2">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap:Extension Category="windows.fileTypeAssociation">
          <uap3:FileTypeAssociation Name="myfiletypes">
            <uap:SupportedFileTypes>
              <uap:FileType>.bar</uap:FileType>
            </uap:SupportedFileTypes>
            <desktop2:DesktopPropertyHandler Clsid ="20000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001"/>
          </uap3:FileTypeAssociation>
        </uap:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

If your desktop application defines a context menu handler, use this extension to register the menu handler.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/4

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extensions>
    <com:Extension Category="windows.comServer">
        <com:ComServer>
            <com:SurrogateServer AppId="[AppID]" DisplayName="[DisplayName]">
                <com:Class Id="[Clsid]" Path="[Path]" ThreadingModel="[Model]"/>
            </com:SurrogateServer>
        </com:ComServer>
    </com:Extension>
    <desktop4:Extension Category="windows.fileExplorerContextMenus">
        <desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus>
            <desktop4:ItemType Type="[Type]">
                <desktop4:Verb Id="[ID]" Clsid="[Clsid]" />
            </desktop4:ItemType>
        </desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus>
    </desktop4:Extension>
</Extensions>

Find the complete schema reference here: com:ComServer and desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus.

Instructions

To register your context menu handler, follow these instructions.

In your desktop application, implement a context menu handler by implementing the IExplorerCommand or IExplorerCommandState interface. For a sample, see the ExplorerCommandVerb code sample. Make sure that you define a class GUID for each of your implementation objects. For example, the following code defines a class ID for an implementation of IExplorerCommand.
```
class __declspec(uuid("d0c8bceb-28eb-49ae-bc68-454ae84d6264")) CExplorerCommandVerb;
```

In your package manifest, specify a com:ComServer application extension that registers a COM surrogate server with the class ID of your context menu handler implementation.

<com:Extension Category="windows.comServer">
    <com:ComServer>
        <com:SurrogateServer AppId="d0c8bceb-28eb-49ae-bc68-454ae84d6264" DisplayName="ContosoHandler">
            <com:Class Id="d0c8bceb-28eb-49ae-bc68-454ae84d6264" Path="ExplorerCommandVerb.dll" ThreadingModel="STA"/>
        </com:SurrogateServer>
    </com:ComServer>
</com:Extension>

In your package manifest, specify a desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus application extension that registers your context menu handler implementation.

<desktop4:Extension Category="windows.fileExplorerContextMenus">
    <desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus>
        <desktop4:ItemType Type=".rar">
            <desktop4:Verb Id="Command1" Clsid="d0c8bceb-28eb-49ae-bc68-454ae84d6264" />
        </desktop4:ItemType>
    </desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus>
</desktop4:Extension>

Example

<Package
  xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10"
  xmlns:desktop4="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/4"
  xmlns:com="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/com/windows10"
  IgnorableNamespaces="desktop4">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <com:Extension Category="windows.comServer">
          <com:ComServer>
            <com:SurrogateServer AppId="d0c8bceb-28eb-49ae-bc68-454ae84d6264" DisplayName="ContosoHandler">
              <com:Class Id="d0c8bceb-28eb-49ae-bc68-454ae84d6264" Path="ExplorerCommandVerb.dll" ThreadingModel="STA"/>
            </com:SurrogateServer>
          </com:ComServer>
        </com:Extension>
        <desktop4:Extension Category="windows.fileExplorerContextMenus">
          <desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus>
            <desktop4:ItemType Type=".contoso">
              <desktop4:Verb Id="Command1" Clsid="d0c8bceb-28eb-49ae-bc68-454ae84d6264" />
            </desktop4:ItemType>
          </desktop4:FileExplorerContextMenus>
        </desktop4:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Make files from your cloud service appear in File Explorer

Register the handlers that you implement in your application. You can also add context menu options that appear when you users right-click your cloud-based files in File Explorer.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.cloudfiles" >
    <CloudFiles IconResource="[Icon]">
        <CustomStateHandler Clsid ="[Clsid]"/>
        <ThumbnailProviderHandler Clsid ="[Clsid]"/>
        <ExtendedPropertyhandler Clsid ="[Clsid]"/>
        <CloudFilesContextMenus>
            <Verb Id ="Command3" Clsid= "[GUID]">[Verb Label]</Verb>
        </CloudFilesContextMenus>
    </CloudFiles>
</Extension>

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.cloudfiles`.
iconResource	The icon that represents your cloud file provider service. This icon appears in the Navigation pane of File Explorer. Users choose this icon to show files from your cloud service.
CustomStateHandler Clsid	The class ID of the application that implements the CustomStateHandler. The system uses this Class ID to request custom states and columns for cloud files.
ThumbnailProviderHandler Clsid	The class ID of the application that implements the ThumbnailProviderHandler. The system uses this Class ID to request thumbnail images for cloud files.
ExtendedPropertyHandler Clsid	The class ID of the application that implements the ExtendedPropertyHandler. The system uses this Class ID to request extended properties for a cloud file.
Verb	The name that appears in the File Explorer context menu for files provided by your cloud service.
Id	The unique ID of the verb.

Example

<Package
    xmlns:desktop="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10"
    IgnorableNamespaces="desktop">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <Extension Category="windows.cloudfiles" >
            <CloudFiles IconResource="images\Wide310x150Logo.png">
                <CustomStateHandler Clsid ="20000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001"/>
                <ThumbnailProviderHandler Clsid ="20000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001"/>
                <ExtendedPropertyhandler Clsid ="20000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001"/>
                <desktop:CloudFilesContextMenus>
                    <desktop:Verb Id ="keep" Clsid=
                       "20000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001">
                       Always keep on this device</desktop:Verb>
                </desktop:CloudFilesContextMenus>
            </CloudFiles>
          </Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Start your application in different ways

Start your application by using a protocol
Start your application by using an alias
Start an executable file when users log into Windows
Enable users to start your application when they connect a device to their PC
Restart automatically after receiving an update from the Microsoft Store

Start your application by using a protocol

Protocol associations can enable other programs and system components to interoperate with your packaged app. When your packaged application is started by using a protocol, you can specify specific parameters to pass to its activation event arguments so it can behave accordingly. Parameters are supported only for packaged, full-trust apps. UWP apps can't use parameters.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension
    Category="windows.protocol">
  <Protocol
      Name="[Protocol name]"
      Parameters="[Parameters]" />
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.protocol`.
Name	The name of the protocol.
Parameters	The list of parameters and values to pass to your application as event arguments when the application is activated. If a variable can contain a file path, wrap the parameter value in quotes. That will avoid any issues that happen in cases where the path includes spaces.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  xmlns:desktop="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap3, desktop">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap3:Extension
          Category="windows.protocol">
          <uap3:Protocol
            Name="myapp-cmd"
            Parameters="/p &quot;%1&quot;" />
        </uap3:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Start your application by using an alias

Users and other processes can use an alias to start your application without having to specify the full path to your app. You can specify that alias name.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3
http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10

Elements and attributes of this extension

<uap3:Extension
    Category="windows.appExecutionAlias"
    Executable="[ExecutableName]"
    EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication">
    <uap3:AppExecutionAlias>
        <desktop:ExecutionAlias Alias="[AliasName]" />
    </uap3:AppExecutionAlias>
</uap3:Extension>

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.appExecutionAlias`.
Executable	The relative path to the executable to start when the alias is invoked.
Alias	The short name for your app. It must always end with the ".exe" extension. You can only specify a single app execution alias for each application in the package. If multiple apps register for the same alias, the system will invoke the last one that was registered, so make sure to choose a unique alias other apps are unlikely to override.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap3">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
         <uap3:Extension
                Category="windows.appExecutionAlias"
                Executable="exes\launcher.exe"
                EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication">
            <uap3:AppExecutionAlias>
                <desktop:ExecutionAlias Alias="Contoso.exe" />
            </uap3:AppExecutionAlias>
        </uap3:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Start an executable file when users log into Windows

Startup tasks allow your application to run an executable automatically whenever a user logs on.

Note

The user has to start your application at least one time to register this startup task.

Your application can declare multiple startup tasks. Each task starts independently. All startup tasks will appear in Task Manager under the Startup tab with the name that you specify in your app's manifest and your app's icon. Task Manager will automatically analyze the startup impact of your tasks.

Users can manually disable your app's startup task by using Task Manager. If a user disables a task, you can't programmatically re-enable it.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension
    Category="windows.startupTask"
    Executable="[ExecutableName]"
    EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication">
  <StartupTask
      TaskId="[TaskID]"
      Enabled="true"
      DisplayName="[DisplayName]" />
</Extension>

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.startupTask`.
Executable	The relative path to the executable file to start.
TaskId	A unique identifier for your task. Using this identifier, your application can call the APIs in the Windows.ApplicationModel.StartupTask class to programmatically enable or disable a startup task.
Enabled	Indicates whether the task first starts enabled or disabled. Enabled tasks will run the next time the user logs on (unless the user disables it).
DisplayName	The name of the task that appears in Task Manager. You can localize this string by using `ms-resource`.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:desktop="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10"
  IgnorableNamespaces="desktop">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <desktop:Extension
          Category="windows.startupTask"
          Executable="bin\MyStartupTask.exe"
          EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication">
        <desktop:StartupTask
          TaskId="MyStartupTask"
          Enabled="true"
          DisplayName="My App Service" />
        </desktop:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
 </Package>

Enable users to start your application when they connect a device to their PC

AutoPlay can present your application as an option when a user connects a device to their PC.

XML namespace

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/3

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.autoPlayHandler">
  <AutoPlayHandler>
    <InvokeAction ActionDisplayName="[action string]" ProviderDisplayName="[name of your app/service]">
      <Content ContentEvent="[Content event]" Verb="[any string]" DropTargetHandler="[Clsid]" />
      <Content ContentEvent="[Content event]" Verb="[any string]" Parameters="[Initialization parameter]"/>
      <Device DeviceEvent="[Device event]" HWEventHandler="[Clsid]" InitCmdLine="[Initialization parameter]"/>
    </InvokeAction>
  </AutoPlayHandler>

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.autoPlayHandler`.
ActionDisplayName	A string that represents the action that users can take with a device that they connect to a PC (For example: "Import files", or "Play video").
ProviderDisplayName	A string that represents your application or service (For example: "Contoso video player").
ContentEvent	The name of a content event that causes users to be prompted with your `ActionDisplayName` and `ProviderDisplayName`. A content event is raised when a volume device such as a camera memory card, thumb drive, or DVD is inserted into the PC. You can find the full list of those events here.
Verb	The Verb setting identifies a value that is passed to your application for the selected option. You can specify multiple launch actions for an AutoPlay event and use the Verb setting to determine which option a user has selected for your app. You can tell which option the user selected by checking the verb property of the startup event arguments passed to your app. You can use any value for the Verb setting except, open, which is reserved.
DropTargetHandler	The class ID of the application that implements the IDropTarget interface. Files from the removable media are passed to the Drop method of your IDropTarget implementation.
Parameters	You don't have to implement the IDropTarget interface for all content events. For any of the content events, you could provide command line parameters instead of implementing the IDropTarget interface. For those events, AutoPlay will start your application by using those command line parameters. You can parse those parameters in your app's initialization code to determine if it was started by AutoPlay and then provide your custom implementation.
DeviceEvent	The name of a device event that causes users to be prompted with your `ActionDisplayName` and `ProviderDisplayName`. A device event is raised when a device is connected to the PC. Device events begin with the string `WPD` and you can find them listed here.
HWEventHandler	The Class ID of the application that implements the IHWEventHandler interface.
InitCmdLine	The string parameter that you want to pass into the Initialize method of the IHWEventHandler interface.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:desktop3="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/3"
  IgnorableNamespaces="desktop3">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <desktop3:Extension Category="windows.autoPlayHandler">
          <desktop3:AutoPlayHandler>
            <desktop3:InvokeAction ActionDisplayName="Import my files" ProviderDisplayName="ms-resource:AutoPlayDisplayName">
              <desktop3:Content ContentEvent="ShowPicturesOnArrival" Verb="show" DropTargetHandler="CD041BAE-0DEA-4472-9B7B-C98043D26EA8"/>
              <desktop3:Content ContentEvent="PlayVideoFilesOnArrival" Verb="play" Parameters="%1" />
              <desktop3:Device DeviceEvent="WPD\ImageSource" HWEventHandler="CD041BAE-0DEA-4472-9B7B-C98043D26EA8" InitCmdLine="/autoplay"/>
            </desktop3:InvokeAction>
          </desktop3:AutoPlayHandler>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Restart automatically after receiving an update from the Microsoft Store

If your application is open when users install an update to it, the application closes.

If you want that application to restart after the update completes, call the RegisterApplicationRestart function in every process that you want to restart.

Each active window in your application receives a WM_QUERYENDSESSION message. At this point, your application can call the RegisterApplicationRestart function again to update the command line if necessary.

When each active window in your application receives the WM_ENDSESSION message, your application should save data and shut down.

Note

Your active windows also receive the WM_CLOSE message in case the application doesn't handle the WM_ENDSESSION message.

At this point, your application has 30 seconds to close it's own processes or the platform terminates them forcefully.

After the update is complete, your application restarts.

Work with other applications

Integrate with other apps, start other processes or share information.

Make your application appear as the print target in applications that support printing
Share fonts with other Windows applications
Start a Win32 process from a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app

Make your application appear as the print target in applications that support printing

When users want to print data from another application such as Notepad, you can make your application appear as a print target in the app's list of available print targets.

You'll have to modify your application so that it receives print data in XML Paper Specification (XPS) format.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.appPrinter">
    <AppPrinter
        DisplayName="[DisplayName]"
        Parameters="[Parameters]" />
</Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.appPrinter`.
DisplayName	The name that you want to appear in the list of print targets for an app.
Parameters	Any parameters that your application requires to properly handle the request.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:desktop2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10/2"
  IgnorableNamespaces="desktop2">
  <Applications>
  <Application>
    <Extensions>
      <desktop2:Extension Category="windows.appPrinter">
        <desktop2:AppPrinter
          DisplayName="Send to Contoso"
          Parameters="/insertdoc %1" />
      </desktop2:Extension>
    </Extensions>
  </Application>
</Applications>
</Package>

Find a sample that uses this extension Here

Share your custom fonts with other Windows applications.

Note

Before you can submit an app that uses this extension to the Store, you must first obtain approval from the Store team. To obtain approval, go to https://aka.ms/storesupport, click Contact us, and choose options relevant to submitting apps to the dashboard. This approval process helps to ensure that there are no conflicts between fonts installed by your app and fonts that are installed with the OS. If you do not obtain approval, you will receive an error similar to the following when you submit your app: "Package acceptance validation error: You can't use extension windows.sharedFonts with this account. Contact our support team if you'd like to request permissions to use this extension."

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/4

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.sharedFonts">
    <SharedFonts>
      <Font File="[FontFile]" />
    </SharedFonts>
  </Extension>

Find the complete schema reference here.

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.sharedFonts`.
File	The file that contains the fonts that you want to share.

Example

<Package
  xmlns:uap4="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10/4"
  IgnorableNamespaces="uap4">
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
        <uap4:Extension Category="windows.sharedFonts">
          <uap4:SharedFonts>
            <uap4:Font File="Fonts\JustRealize.ttf" />
            <uap4:Font File="Fonts\JustRealizeBold.ttf" />
          </uap4:SharedFonts>
        </uap4:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

Start a Win32 process from a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app

Start a Win32 process that runs in full-trust.

XML namespaces

http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10

Elements and attributes of this extension

<Extension Category="windows.fullTrustProcess" Executable="[executable file]">
  <FullTrustProcess>
    <ParameterGroup GroupId="[GroupID]" Parameters="[Parameters]"/>
  </FullTrustProcess>
</Extension>

Name	Description
Category	Always `windows.fullTrustProcess`.
GroupID	A string that identifies a set of parameters that you want to pass to the executable.
Parameters	Parameters that you want to pass to the executable.

Example

<Package xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10"
         xmlns:uap="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/uap/windows10"
         xmlns:rescap=
"http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/foundation/windows10/restrictedcapabilities"
         xmlns:desktop="http://schemas.microsoft.com/appx/manifest/desktop/windows10">
  ...
  <Capabilities>
      <rescap:Capability Name="runFullTrust"/>
  </Capabilities>
  <Applications>
    <Application>
      <Extensions>
          <desktop:Extension Category="windows.fullTrustProcess" Executable="fulltrustprocess.exe">
              <desktop:FullTrustProcess>
                  <desktop:ParameterGroup GroupId="SyncGroup" Parameters="/Sync"/>
                  <desktop:ParameterGroup GroupId="OtherGroup" Parameters="/Other"/>
              </desktop:FullTrustProcess>
           </desktop:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>
</Package>

This extension might be useful if you want to create a Universal Windows Platform User interface that runs on all devices, but you want components of your Win32 application to continue running in full-trust.

Just create a Windows app package for your Win32 app. Then, add this extension to the package file of your UWP app. This extensions indicates that you want to start an executable file in the Windows app package. If you want to communicate between your UWP app and your Win32 app, you can set up one or more app services to do that. You can read more about this scenario here.

Next steps

Have questions? Ask us on Stack Overflow. Our team monitors these tags. You can also ask us here.

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Redirect your existing desktop app to your packaged app

Add registry entries to redirect your unpackaged desktop app executable

Register your packaged app to be launched

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Point existing Start tiles and taskbar buttons to your packaged app

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Open certain types of files directly by using a URL

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Create firewall exception for your app

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Place your DLL files into any folder of the package

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Integrate with File Explorer

Define how your application behaves when users select and open multiple files at the same time

XML namespaces

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Example

Show file contents in a thumbnail image within File Explorer

XML namespace

Elements and attributes of this extension

Example

Show file contents in the Preview pane of File Explorer

XML namespace

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Example

Enable users to group files by using the Kind column in File Explorer

XML namespaces

Elements and attributes of this extension

Example

Make file properties available to search, index, property dialogs, and the details pane

XML namespace

Elements and attributes of this extension

Example

Specify a context menu handler for a file type

XML namespaces

Elements and attributes of this extension

Instructions

Example

Make files from your cloud service appear in File Explorer

XML namespace

Elements and attributes of this extension

Example

Start your application in different ways

Start your application by using a protocol

XML namespace

Elements and attributes of this extension

Example

Start your application by using an alias

XML namespaces

Elements and attributes of this extension