How to communicate between Metro UI and Desktop UI on Win8
It just a summarize to explain MSFT sample: Association launching sample.
-
Metro UI to call Desktop UI
-
File extension call:
-
Add default open on registry if you want create new one.
- [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.XXX]
-
Using Windows.System.Launcher.launchFileAsync
-
-
Protocol call: (such as “http://”, “mailto://”)
-
Add default protocol on registry if you want create new one.
- [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT%PROTOCOL%] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\%PROTOCOL%DefaultIcon] @=”C:\Program Files\XXX.exe,0”[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\%PROTOCOL%shell] @=”play”
-
-
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\%PROTOCOL%shellopen] @=””
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\%PROTOCOL%shellopencommand] @=”“C:\Program Files\XXX.exe” %1”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT%PROTOCOL%shellplaycommand] @=”“C:\Program Files\XXX.exe” %1”
* Using Windows.System.Launcher.launchUriAsync
P.S.: Since it is Async, please note you might need handle it well to make it work. :)
Metro UI to call Desktop UI
*
File extension call
*
Add on “package.appxmanifest” “Declarations” to add “Protocol”.
*
Handle callback feedback and launch this app.
*
Double click file on desktop UI.
*
Protocol call: (such as “http://”, “mailto://”)
*
Add on “package.appxmanifest” “Declarations” to add “File Type Associations”. (ex: “sampleApp://”)
*
Handle callback feedback and launch this app.
*
Type “sampleApp://” on file browser or IE.
*
You could using code “ShellExecute(NULL, _T(“open”), _T(“sampleApp://”), NULL, NULL, SW_SHOWNORMAL);”
How we use it?
To transfer control between Metro/Desktop.
To Write a launcher on Metro UI for your desktop application.
Express app on Metro UI and Pro app on desktop.
Refer:
- Auto-launching with file and protocol associations: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh452691.aspx