How to find the Target *.exe file of *.appref-ms

Question

I have to make a Backup of the Program running from the file *.appref-ms
When i Opened the File GitHub.appref-ms using text editor i found

http://gith

Answer 1

ClickOnce apps are designed so that the end user downloads a "downloader" - the ClickOnce app, then when ya run it, it downloads and installs in %LocalAppData%\Apps\2.0..... and then it's random folder names for every OS install you do. Backing up is pointless and so is trying to move the program. The point of ClickOnce is 2-Fold: 1. AutoUpdating of the program 2. The end user has no installer and also can't move the app or it breaks

The %LocalAppData%\Apps\2.0..... folder is the program AND %LocalAppData%\GitHub is the settings folder.

I'm not going to cover how to circumvent this - only stating the above. :P

The best 'tip' I can say legitimately is: You 'can' in some cases move the final folder that all the files are in and use a symlink back, if you are low on space. But, not all apps will work and essentially will delete the symlink once you they run. Then they might reinstall or simply just remove the link. Keep in mind also, other apps may be using that same final folder as well, so move the folder will affect those too.