Add executable parameter in start menu shortcut

Question

I've a executable compiled with gcc-g++, say launcher.exe. And I want to run it as launcher.exe --param. So I make a UWP folder with all assets, binary etc. I can successfully pack the folders in a APPX package with makeappx.exe and sing it with signtool.exe. It installs and launches successfully. But I can't add the --param in that appxmanifest.xml file. The manifest file is as below:

 <Applications>
    <Application Executable="launcher.exe" EntryPoint="Windows.FullTrustApplication" Id="test">
      <uap:VisualElements DisplayName="launcher" Square44x44Logo="Assets\test44x44.png" Description="" BackgroundColor="transparent" Square150x150Logo="Assets\test150x150.png">
        <uap:InitialRotationPreference>
          <uap:Rotation Preference="portrait"/>
          <uap:Rotation Preference="landscape"/>
        </uap:InitialRotationPreference>
      </uap:VisualElements>
      <Extensions>
        <rescap3:Extension Category="windows.desktopAppMigration">
          <rescap3:DesktopAppMigration>
            <rescap3:DesktopApp ShortcutPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\test\launcher.lnk"/>
          </rescap3:DesktopAppMigration>
        </rescap3:Extension>
      </Extensions>
    </Application>
  </Applications>

So, How can I add that command parameter in shortcut in start menu or in desktop shortcut?

Answer 1

Since the parameter would be hardcoded in the manifest, you might was well change the code of launcher.exe to assume the "--param" whenever it's launched as a packaged app.

If you can't change the code for that binary, you could just add a second EXE, say helper.exe, in your package, make that the entry point and then launch launcher.exe with the desired parameters from there.

Here is a code snippet for helper.exe:

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    string result = System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location;
    int index = result.LastIndexOf("\\");
    string processPath = $"{result.Substring(0, index)}\\..\\Launcher\\Launcher.exe";
    Process.Start(processPath, "--param");
}

Full sample project uploaded here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AovTwKUMywTNnY4ofULXFV778Dtdxw

You might also find this somewhat related blogpost helpful: https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/appconsult/2017/06/23/accessing-to-the-files-in-the-installation-folder-in-a-desktop-bridge-application/