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

The appref-ms file does not point to the exe. When you hit that shortcut, it invokes the deployment manifest at the deployment provider url and checks for updates. It checks the application manifest (yourapp.exe.manifest) to see what files to download, and this file contains the definition of the entry point (i.e. the exe).

Answer 2

The app is stored in %LocalAppData% in your %UserProfile%. So the full path could be:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\GitHub

Answer 3

The easiest thing is to run the program, open the task manager, right-click the process and select properties, here is the full address

Answer 4

Simple answer to this; I was trying to figure out the same thing, and it just hit me.

GitHub IS a program installed on your computer, and when it runs, it WILL use threads and RAM. So that makes it a process. All you have to do is open Task Manager, click the Processes tab, find 'Github.exe', right click, Open File Location. Voila! Mine is in some App folder in Local, about 4 layers deep.

Answer 5

ClickOnce applications are stored under the user's profile at %LocalAppData%\Apps\2.0\.

From there, use the search function to find your application.

Answer 6

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.