Custom URL Scheme for Windows 8

Question

Is there something similar for the Windows 8 platform to the custom url scheme found on the iOS platform?

I have found information on MSDN about an application URI scheme. This is not the answer.

In my iPad app, the user receives an email with a couple of long keys. The user clicks the url and my app opens to the right page with these values populated. Is there similar functionality available for Windows 8 that I have missed?

Answer 1

You're looking for protocol activation.

You can add a supported protocol to Package.appxmanifest on the Declarations tab by adding a Protocol. This adds the following block to your Package.appxmanifest file:

<Extensions>
  <Extension Category="windows.protocol">
    <Protocol Name="alrt" />
  </Extension>
</Extensions>

You need to handle protocol activation in App.xaml.cs by overriding OnActivated:

protected override void OnActivated(IActivatedEventArgs args)
{
    base.OnActivated(args);

    if (args.Kind == ActivationKind.Protocol)
    {
        var protocolArgs = args as ProtocolActivatedEventArgs;

        var rootFrame = new Frame();
        rootFrame.Navigate(typeof(MainPage), protocolArgs.Uri.AbsoluteUri);
        Window.Current.Content = rootFrame;
        Window.Current.Activate();
    }
}

Check this page for a more detailed explanation.