How to start a Process from a Win 8 App?

Question

I can’t find System.Diagnostics.Process to start a new process. I guess this is on purpose. But is there a other way? Is this even possible?

Answer 1

Looks like it’s not possible to open any non-metro processes. You can open URLs or Files like *.txt, but not *.cmd or *.exe.

If there is a Custom File Association you could possibly(I haven’t try this) start a process by opening an empty file with your custom filename extension. But you can’t edit the registry to add the association from your app.
So there are no App-Only ways to do this (except not yet discovered hacks ;) ).

Answer 2

You can use this reference on Windows 8 Metro application : How to Start a external Program from Metro App. All the Metro-style applications work in the highly sand boxed environment and there is no way to directly start an external application.

You can try using Launcher class

1. Launcher.LaunchFileAsync

   // Path to the file in the app package to launch
   string exeFile = @"C:\Program Files (x86)\App.exe";
   
   var file = await Windows.ApplicationModel.Package.Current.InstalledLocation
                           .GetFileAsync(exeFile);
   
   if (file != null)
   {
       // Set the option to show the picker
       var options = new Windows.System.LauncherOptions();
       options.DisplayApplicationPicker = true;
   
       // Launch the retrieved file
       bool success = await Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(file, options);
       if (success)
       {
          // File launched
       }
       else
       {
          // File launching failed
       }
   }
   

2. Launcher.LaunchUriAsync

Reference: Can I use Windows.System.Launcher.LauncherDefaultProgram(Uri) to invoke another metro style app?