What is Launch.exe and why is a Windows App using it?

from Stardock Forums

Hi,

I just installed iTunes on my Windows PC as an "App" from the MS store.

(the version I had installed was broken and I couldn't find a "normal" version to download)

It works fine now, and it's listed under "Universal Applications" on my Start menu.

The thing is - the app is launched by a file in the Start10 folder. Is this right?

Here is how the shortcut is set up

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Start10\Launch.exe" /AppleInc.iTunes_nzyj5cx40ttqa!iTunes

Why is Start10 in charge of Windows apps? What would happen if Start10 wasn't installed?

Thanks for any info.

John B

start10
4,272 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forwarded your questions/problems to the Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate you feedback and patience.

Thank You,
Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Standard UWP apps cannot be launched directly as exes so you have to do special things to start them.

Start10 creates shortcuts for each so they appear in the flyout menu and launch.exe is the process which does the right thing to start those apps.  This lets you have shortcuts to UWP apps on your desktop etc if you drag them to the desktop for example.

If Start10 were not installed then IF you had made shortcuts from those items they would cease working, but only those shortcuts you made yourself.  Launching them when pinned to the taskbar (using the OS feature), or from the Windows 10 start menu will continue to work as it did before you had Start10.

In short, this is normal for how Start10 works.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks Neil - I've never had to use an "app" on my PC before.

So, basically, without Start10 you have to run this from the taskbar? This is just another reason to never get rid of Start10! ;-)

I've had to restore from an image, so I'm running the "normal" itunes application again - but i'm having major problems with Kaspersky Total (in)Security at the moment - so I may have to go back to the app (that seems to be the only thing you can download now)

Thanks again for your explanation.

John B

 

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting jbraner, reply 4

but i'm having major problems with Kaspersky Total (in)Security at the moment
End of jbraner's quote

That's not that too common.  Been running Kaspersky Total Security now ever since Win 7 came out [because Bitdefender was too slow to be compatible]... on 3 systems with no issues at all....;)

Version is 19.0.0.1088[h]

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting jbraner, reply 6

Hi Jafo,

Well, everything has been fine here too - until last week!
End of jbraner's quote

Don't tell me.....you're on Win 10 and there was this update and.....

 

;)