EXE files for Affinity programs in two different places on the drive and under two different names.

[GTSMike]

i have AffinityPhoto2.exe in this folder C:\Users\mike\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps and an older version as Photo.exe in folder C:\Program Files\Affinity\Photo 2

why did this happen and how do i deal with it to get it in one place? also how do i get shortcut to the programs on my desktop?

 

[Pšenda]

MSIX vs MSI/EXE installation type.

 

[GTSMike]

"If you purchased Affinity V2 for Windows directly from the Affinity Store, you will have downloaded an MSIX package. You will notice when installing Affinity V2 you will not be offered the ability to create a Desktop shortcut. This is expected and is down to how MSIX packages work.

However, you can manually create a desktop shortcut after installation. 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."

i did buy it directly from the store. but for some reason the updates are not going to the same directory as the original shortcuts were directing it to. so if i use the shortcuts that are on the desktop then take me to an older version number which keeps saying there is an update. i did as you recommend and that did give me a shortcut. thanks

[walt.farrell]

It sounds like you chose to download the .exe (MSI/EXE) installer at some point, then when you were prompted to download a new installer to update it, you chose the MSIX installer instead. When you've chosen the MSI/EXE installer, you need to be careful to choose that version each time.

Your best bet at this point is probably to uninstall both V2 versions you currently have installed, download the installer version you want, and reinstall it.

[GTSMike]

i originally upgraded from version 1. maybe when the software did that it decided the download file. after that when told there was an upgrade version i choose the MSIX. That is the one it recommended.

I can uninstall via the control panel but i am sure it will only uninstall one of them. is there a way to get them both uninstalled?

[walt.farrell]

On 12/9/2024 at 2:33 PM, GTSMike said:

I can uninstall via the control panel but i am sure it will only uninstall one of them. is there a way to get them both uninstalled?

The Windows Control Panel is old and (I believe) deprecated and it will not see programs installed using newer technology such as MSIX. You should uninstall using Windows Settings, and use its Apps or Applications section. Or from the standard Windows Start Menu. Both will see the older and newer kinds of programs.

[GTSMike]

done. seems to be working right now. thanks for the help.

[walt.farrell]

You're welcome.

[acruotolo]

What a lousy installation that does not offer the option to have a  desktop shortcut. Wake up Affinity!

[Brian_J]

23 minutes ago, acruotolo said:

What a lousy installation that does not offer the option to have a  desktop shortcut. Wake up Affinity!

It sounds like you have the MSIX package installed. To create a desktop shortcut of the MSIX:

if you’d rather install the MSI/EXE that provides the option to create a desktop shortcut that you’re used to:

 

[R C-R]

8 hours ago, acruotolo said:

What a lousy installation that does not offer the option to have a  desktop shortcut. Wake up Affinity!

Actually, if you are talking about the MSIX version it is Microsoft, not Affinity, that is pressuring developers to distribute their apps using the more secure sandboxed MSIX version & for older apps to be updated to work seamlessly with MSIX.

At least Affinity gives Windows users a choice between the old style MSI & new style MSIX distributions.