We all know that Windows 8 comes with a bunch of quality Metro apps and one can always download more apps from Windows Store. As you may know, these Metro apps can only be launched from the new Start screen (there is no Start menu in Windows 8) and with default settings, one can’t create a shortcut of Metro apps on desktop.
Even though one can always launch an app by quickly switching to the Start screen, wouldn’t it be nice if there was an option to create an app shortcut on desktop so that we can launch it without having to switch to Start screen. While it’s not possible to add Create Shortcut or Send To options to Metro apps, a small workaround is available to launch Metro apps from desktop.
We first discovered how to customize the default user interface of Metro apps and now, it’s time to show how to launch those Metro apps right from desktop. Simply follow the instructions given below to create a folder on Desktop containing all Metro apps.
Step 1: Switch to desktop mode. Right-click on desktop, select New and then select Shortcut option to launch Create Shortcut wizard.
Step 2: In the wizard, enter the following path:
%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}
Step 3: Click Next button, enter a name for the new folder and then click Finish button to create a folder on desktop containing Metro apps shortcuts.
Step 4: From now on, simply open the newly created folder and double-click on the Metro app to launch it right from your desktop. Good luck!
Thanks to segobi @MDL forums for this..