Launch apps from the desktop
Can't find a way to launch apps in Windows 8 from your desktop? Here's how:
Right-click on an empty part of your desktop, select New > Shortcut, and type Explorer Shell:AppsFolder in the "Location" box.
Click Next, and click Finish. Double-clicking that shortcut will open a folder listing all your installed programs, including the apps, and you can launch whatever you like.
