Open an app from Microsoft Store using Task Scheduler

Question

Does anyone else have a better or simpler way to use Task Scheduler to schedule an app to open at a specific time using Windows 10 and an app from the Store (not ".exe" programs?

First I created a shortcut ".lnk" to the app that I wanted to run.  The quickest way I've found to do this is to find the app you need in the start menu and then try to drag it to the desktop, when you "unclick" your mouse it should save a shortcut or "link" to your desktop so that when you double-click on it, your app will open.

Then I created a batch file by opening a new "Notepad" putting the exact location of my shortcut in quotations and saving the file as ".bat" instead of ".txt".  Here is an example of the location I saved: "C:\Users\Desktop\JWLibrary.lnk"

Then I went into the Task Scheduler and pointed it to the ".bat" file I just made and everything worked.

Is there not a better or simpler way?

Answer 1

Hi brother trakker123,

I researched and I found the command to start a Microsoft Store App:

start shell:AppsFolder\PackageFamilyName!App

To find the PackageFamilyName of the application you can run the command below on PowerShell to write a file (in your Desktop folder) with all the information about all the Microsoft Apps installed and then open it.

get-appxpackage > $env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\apps.txt; notepad.exe $env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\apps.txt

Then you can search the PackageFamilyName with "ctrl+f" and entering the publisher name. In this case, the publisher of JW Library is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New Yorkas you know. So you can type on the input "Watchtower".

Here you have the PackageFamilyName. Now you can create the task with your desired configuration. When you create the task, select the "cmd.exe" program on "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe". In parameters write the shown below:

/C "start shell:AppsFolder\PackageFamilyName!App"

In the case of JW Library will be:

/C "start shell:AppsFolder\WatchtowerBibleandTractSo.45909CDBADF3C_5rz59y55nfz3e!App"

I hope this helps you!

Best regards brother

Answer 2

You could use the Task Scheduler to invoke a .lnk file, without the .bat detour.

Answer 3

Hi trakker123 and thanks for reaching out. My name is Joseph. I'm an independent advisor. I'll be happy to help you out today.

You may try following these steps. Check this video tutorial for detailed instructions.

Steps on Creating an Advanced Task Using Task Scheduler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVUlkU2AxgQ

Note:

Installation and temporary data folders for Windows Apps

As with older programs, Windows uses different folders to store an app’s installation files and the data (such as sessions, in-app downloads; etc). Here are the details:

Installation folder – Apps are installed to the WindowsApps folder. You can find it at this location – C:\Program Files.

The temporary data folder (Isolated storage) – Modern apps save their data at the following location – C:\Users<username>\AppData\Local\Packages.

Do note that both folders are hidden. They will not show under the list of folders unless you enable the display of hidden files in Windows 10. If you have enabled the hidden items, then the folders will appear in a lighter color, indicating that it is a hidden item.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let me know how it goes.

Thank you!

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