Solved Trying to force a "WindowsApp" folder app to run on startup

Fiveish · Aug 21, 2023

Hey, I'm back with yet another frustrating W11 issue. I have a Dolby Atmos enabled laptop, but over the lifespan of my device, Dolby had the brilliant idea of making its app solely available on the W11 App Store. After editing permissions so that I could view folders in the hidden "WindowsApp" folder, I attempted to create a shortcut and add it to the W11 Startup folder. Turns out that you can't just run the exe of the Windows store app, or at least the Dolby Access one, which makes it functionally impossible to create a shortcut for it. I want the Dolby Access App to run on startup. When I tried to do this it gives me errors for every "missing" file in the Dolby folder. So I tried to run the exe directly in the WindowsApp folder. Same errors. Is there any workaround to this?

Fabler2 · Aug 21, 2023

I don't know if it's the same app but all you need to do is drag the App to the desktop, from the all apps list, to create a link shortcut and drag it to to the startup folder. On the desktop, after boot, it will be a little bit slow to load.

garlin · Aug 21, 2023

UWP (or Store) apps can't be started by a simple filename, we need to use an application alias.

Create a new shortcut with target:

Code:

explorer.exe shell:appsFolder\DolbyLaboratories.DolbyAccess_rz1tebttyb220!App

Move that shortcut to folder:
C:\Users\Fiveish\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Brink · Aug 21, 2023

In addition:

Add App to Run Automatically at Startup in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to add items to run automatically at startup for your account, specific user(s), or all users in Windows 11. Startup apps are the apps that start automatically when you sign in to Windows 11. You can have any app, shortcut, folder, drive, file, script, etc...

www.elevenforum.com

johnlgalt · Aug 22, 2023

In addition:

If you want to see the vast majority of apps from the Store installed on your machine (and easily pick one for use), open:

shell:AppsFolder from either the Run dialog, or else in Windows Explorer (type it in the address bar).

Find the app, right click it and select create shortut. You'll get a warning that it cannot create it in the current location, and ask to create it on your desktop. Click / tap Yes.

And I just checked - Dolby access is in there in my appsfolder because I also have it installed.

Now you've got a bona fide shortcut to that store app that you can use where you need.

That is how I got all the shortcuts for Store apps into my taskbar shortcuts:

Wynona · Aug 22, 2023

And another way . . .

Once your app is installed, go to Settings>Apps>Startup> Startup Apps and go down the list until you find either Adobe Access or Adobe Aptos and turn it on. That is, if it’s in your list of apps. If you don’t find it where I’ve pointed, you may find it in Default Apps.

Since this is the first time I’ve heard of Adobe Aptos, and Windows defaults are fine with me, I’m not going to install it on my computer.

garlin · Aug 22, 2023

Maybe your Southern drawl's a bit strong. "Adobe Aptos" vs. "Dolby ATMOS"

Wynona · Aug 22, 2023

garlin said:
Maybe your Southern twang's a bit strong. "Adobe Aptos" vs. "Dolby ATMOS"

OMGosh! Stupid error No. 2 today! Microsoft recently added a font called Aptos, and that's what I was thinking when I gave those instructions. Sigh . . .

In the long run, though, the 'structions should work if you find the correct name.

Fiveish · Aug 25, 2023

Fabler2 said:
I don't know if it's the same app but all you need to do is drag the App to the desktop, from the all apps list, to create a link shortcut and drag it to to the startup folder. On the desktop, after boot, it will be a little bit slow to load.

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Thanks a ton, this actually worked. I don't why they don't let you drag app icons from the search menu, which is what I normally use, haha. Also not sure why manually creating a shortcut via r/c from the app folder doesn't work (from a user standpoint), but dragging a drop specifically from the start menu does. Seems counter-intuitive, but a maybe I'm just a Windows 8 and 10 boomer.