The game in question is Phantom Dust, an outdated game that I want to improve visually. To achieve this, I discovered an application called Reshade that can potentially enhance the game’s graphics with various filters.
However, to make Reshade work properly with the game, I need to activate the game’s executable file by clicking on it, instead of using the Microsoft-made shortcut currently available on the taskbar or start menu.
Therefore, my plan is to convert the game’s EXE file into a regular one that I can click on to launch the game. Additionally, I aim to transfer the game to my flash drive so that I can run it from there.
The included image shows the game’s EXE file and a message that appears after clicking on it.
If I try to launch the game by double-clicking its executable file instead of using the game shortcut, a message pops up. As a result, if I attempt to drag and drop the executable file into Reshade, it will not function correctly.
2 Answers
Introduction
Phantom Dust is an old game that was available on the Microsoft Store. It is a great game that many people still enjoy playing today. However, the game lacks some modern features, making it less appealing to some players. One way to overcome this limitation is to use an app called Reshade. Reshade can add graphic filters to the game, giving it a fresh look. However, Reshade cannot access the game’s exe file unless it is activated by clicking on it. This post will show you how to convert Phantom Dust’s exe file from the Microsoft Store into a standard exe file that you can use and move to your flash drive.
Step 1: Find the Game’s EXE File
The first step is to find the game’s exe file. The exe file is the file that runs the game. In most cases, the exe file is located in the game’s installation folder. For Phantom Dust, the exe file is located in the following directory:
C:Program FilesWindowsAppsMicrosoft.PhantomDust_1.1710.2391.2_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Note that this directory is hidden by default, so you need to enable the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option in the Windows File Explorer.
Step 2: Copy the EXE File
The next step is to copy the exe file to a new location. To do this, right-click on the exe file and select “Copy”. Then, navigate to the location where you want to copy the file and right-click on an empty space and select “Paste”. You can copy the exe file to your flash drive or any other location on your computer.
Step 3: Rename the EXE File
The third step is to rename the exe file. The file name should have the “.exe” extension. To rename the file, right-click on the file and select “Rename”. Then, change the file name to something that is easy to remember and has the “.exe” extension.
Step 4: Create a Shortcut
The next step is to create a shortcut to the exe file. A shortcut is a link to the exe file that you can use to activate the game. To create a shortcut, right-click on the exe file and select “Create shortcut”. Then, right-click on the shortcut and select “Cut”. Navigate to the location where you want to move the game and right-click on an empty space and select “Paste”.
Step 5: Test the Shortcut
The final step is to test the shortcut. Double-click on the shortcut to activate the game. If the game starts, then the shortcut is working correctly. You can now use Reshade to add graphic filters to the game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, converting Phantom Dust’s exe file from the Microsoft Store into a standard exe file is a straightforward process. Once you have the exe file, you can copy it to any location on your computer or flash drive. Renaming the file and creating a shortcut to it will allow you to activate the game by double-clicking on the shortcut. This will enable you to use Reshade to add graphic filters to the game, giving it a fresh look.
The answer is negative: Regrettably, what you are trying to do is not possible.
It is impossible to run your UWP app as an .exe file due to fundamental differences between the application models they utilize.
While traditional .exe files operate under an application model that utilizes a distinct runtime, UWP apps use a different model called APPX.
It is possible to wrap an .exe application in an APPX file using the Desktop App Converter, but there is currently no tool available that can convert/repackage an APPX file into an .exe file.