Creating shortcuts for Affinity V2.2 products

[RodFl]

Hi,

I've just upgraded from V1 of the Affinity suite to V2.2. The OS is Windows 11 Pro 21H2.

I generally like to create shortcuts to the programs I use, this appears to be impossible with V2.2 whereas it was with V1. Normal practice of right clicking on the .exe file and creating a shortcut which I can place wherever I like. It is possible to create the shortcut but whenever I use it a Windows Error Event is created and nothing happens. An example is attached.

I see that unlike version 1, V2.2 is installed in the Windows App folder (C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\SerifEuropeLtd.AffinityPublisher2_2.2.0.2005_x64__3cqzy0nppv2rt\App). Also the user has no control over the location of the installation during install. Maybe this has something to do with it.

Would someone in Tech Support explain please? Anyone else having this problem?

 

Many thanks for any help.

Regards

Rod

Affinity Error example.txt

[MikeTO]

The Windows version of Affinity is available with two types of installers. It sounds like you used the MSIX installer which provides some advantages, but not for shortcuts. This FAQ has the instructions for creating a shortcut for an app installed via MSIX.

 

[RodFl]

Hi Mike,

Wow that was quick, thanks. I've tried what you suggested but unfortunately I get the same problem, even after rebooting. If I try running the program 'As Administrator' I get the attached message.

 

I've looked at the permissions in this path and most users/entities, including me, have full control.

 

This isn't a disaster but I'll have to change the way I work, and I don't like loosing some control of the PC.

 

Thanks again for your rapid response, if there is anything else you can suggest, please do.

 

Best Regards

Rod

[walt.farrell]

53 minutes ago, RodFl said:

I've looked at the permissions in this path and most users/entities, including me, have full control.

If users have Full Control over the WindowsApps portion of the path, then you have modified the default permissions in a non-recommended way, and it is not clear what problems that may cause.

Suggestion: I suspect you will probably be happier if you uninstall the MSIX version of the Affinity applications you have now, download the EXE-based installers, and use those, instead. This will mean that you'll need to be careful at each update to download the correct version of the installer.

[RodFl]

Hi Walt,

Many thanks. Indeed I would be happier using the EXE based installers but I've searched the Affinity site in vain. Can't find them. Are you able to point me in the right direction? 

You are probably  right regards the permissions but I'm not very knowledgable on that part of Windows and I've not knowingly changed anything.

This is a good forum, active and helpful.

Best Regards

Rod

[R C-R]

23 minutes ago, RodFl said:

Indeed I would be happier using the EXE based installers but I've searched the Affinity site in vain. Can't find them.

If you search these forums on "EXE based installers" one of the hits from the FAQ section is this:

 

[RodFl]

Hi R C-R,

Many thanks, that's fantastic. When I originally went to the 'V2 licences & downloads' page I stopped scrolling down as soon as I came to the iPad versions, if only I had gone a little further.

Everything is now installed and working with shortcuts.

My thanks to ALL who have helped me with this.

Have a good weekend,

Rod

[dave.a]

RE: Affinity Shortcut:

Hi RodFI and new Forum members. I followed MikeTO's  advice to "Go to Start > Run and enter Shell:AppsFolder and press OK - This will take you to a folder where you can drag and drop a copy of the Affinity V2 shortcut to your desktop."

It does work, but it's not immediately obvious. When you type 'Run' in the search bar next to the Windows logo you will see "Run System" at the top of the search results (see screenshot).

.

Clicking on that opens the dialogue to enter "Shell:AppsFolder" and OK opens a folder with all your App shortcuts. Drag what you want onto your desktop. 

[walt.farrell]

3 hours ago, dave.a said:

When you type 'Run' in the search bar next to the Windows logo you will see "Run System" at the top of the search results (see screenshot).

Good point.

An easier way to access it, by the way, is Windows Key + R.