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BUG: Flow Launcher cannot open UWP apps when Explorer is not running. #4530

@ElementalWarrior42

Description

@ElementalWarrior42

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  • I have checked that this issue has not already been reported.

  • I am using the latest version of Flow Launcher.

  • I am using the prerelease version of Flow Launcher.

Problem Description

I am using Cairo Desktop which is a shell replacement that disables WIndows Explorer. I've encountered an issue where Flow Launcher cannot launch any UWP apps (like Paint) when Explorer is not running (also occurs when Explorer is killed normally with task manager). This issue doesn't occur when using similar tools like Powertoys Run which means that whatever mechanism Flow uses to launch UWP apps is the issue.

(Do note that sandboxed UWP apps (like Windows Settings) will not run at all without Explorer. This is a separate issue to this bug report.)

To Reproduce

  1. Kill the Windows Explorer process with task manager.
  2. Attempt to launch a non-sandboxed UWP app (such as Paint) with Flow Launcher.
  3. Nothing will open.

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Flow Launcher Version

2.1.3

Windows Build Number

10.0.26200.8655

Error Log

The log doesn't reflect anything regarding the issue.

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