How can I launch/switch foreground app on Windows 10 IoT

Question

I want to build a "Launcher App" to run on my Windows 10 IoT (Raspberry Pi 3) build 14986 (or later). The launcher app should basically just have two buttons to launch (or switch to) other apps already deployed on the device. I'm wonder if anyone knows how to launch an app (from C#)?

I've looked at the Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync API, but I'm not sure what to pass in (I've tested with some URIs and TargetApplicationPackageFamilyName under options, no luck (nothing happens when calling the method).

Example (which doesn't work):

    private void button_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        Task.Run(async () =>
        {
            var options = new LauncherOptions();
            options.TargetApplicationPackageFamilyName = "27ad8aa6-8c23-48bd-9633-e331740e6ba7_mr3ez18jctte6!App";

            var uri = new Uri("about:blank");

            await Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(uri, options);
        });
    }

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/samples/externalprocesslauncher — Wolfgang Feneberg, Feb 02 '17 at 09:07
Yes, I saw that article, but I don't want to launch an EXE, I want to launch another UAP/UWP app. — Haukman, Feb 02 '17 at 09:41
https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps/How-to-launch-an-UWP-app-5abfa878 I hope it helps. — Wolfgang Feneberg, Feb 02 '17 at 12:17
That looks exactly right, let me try that! Do you want to post it as an answer with maybe a blurb on how it's done (SO likes that vs just posting links)? — Haukman, Feb 02 '17 at 17:24

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 03 '17 at 19:15

You can find the answer on Microsoft Code. There is a sample for that:

https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps/How-to-launch-an-UWP-app-5abfa878

In this example you find the Launcher Code:

private async void RunMainPage_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) 
{ 
    await LaunchAppAsync("test-launchmainpage://HostMainpage/Path1?param=This is param"); 
} 

private async void RunPage1_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e) 
{ 
    await LaunchAppAsync("test-launchpage1://Page1/Path1?param1=This is param1&param1=This is param2"); 
} 

private async Task LaunchAppAsync(string uriStr) 
{ 
    Uri uri = new Uri(uriStr); 
    var promptOptions = new Windows.System.LauncherOptions(); 
    promptOptions.TreatAsUntrusted = false; 

    bool isSuccess = await Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(uri, promptOptions); 

    if (!isSuccess) 
    { 
        string msg = "Launch failed"; 
        await new MessageDialog(msg).ShowAsync(); 
    } 
}

The trick is set specify Windows Protocol on the application you want to launch, and specify that in the LaunchApp URI.

How can I launch/switch foreground app on Windows 10 IoT

1 Answers1