build: adjust for changes in the Az.Accounts module

They made secure strings the default. Doing it this way maintains compatibility with the version before and after the default changed.
2025-12-30 00:46:20 +01:00 · 2025-06-11 15:43:40 -05:00
24 changed files with 120 additions and 159 deletions
--- a/.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt
+++ b/.github/actions/spell-check/expect.txt
@@ -1535,7 +1535,6 @@ SMALLICON
 smartphone
 SMTO
 SNAPPROCESS
-snk
 snwprintf
 softline
 SOURCECLIENTAREAONLY
--- a/.pipelines/272MSSharedLibSN2048.snk
+++ b/.pipelines/272MSSharedLibSN2048.snk
--- a/.pipelines/ESRPSigning_sdk.json
+++ b/.pipelines/ESRPSigning_sdk.json
@@ -4,66 +4,9 @@
    "SignBatches": [
        {
            "MatchedPath": [
+                "Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.dll",
                "Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit.dll"
            ],
-            "SigningInfo": {
-                "Operations": [
-                    {
-                        "KeyCode": "CP-233904-SN",
-                        "OperationSetCode": "StrongNameSign",
-                        "ToolName": "sign",
-                        "ToolVersion": "1.0",
-                        "Parameters": []
-                    },
-                    {
-                        "KeyCode": "CP-233904-SN",
-                        "OperationSetCode": "StrongNameVerify",
-                        "ToolName": "sign",
-                        "ToolVersion": "1.0",
-                        "Parameters": []
-                    },
-                    {
-                        "KeyCode": "CP-230012",
-                        "OperationSetCode": "SigntoolSign",
-                        "Parameters": [
-                            {
-                                "parameterName": "OpusName",
-                                "parameterValue": "Microsoft"
-                            },
-                            {
-                                "parameterName": "OpusInfo",
-                                "parameterValue": "http://www.microsoft.com"
-                            },
-                            {
-                                "parameterName": "FileDigest",
-                                "parameterValue": "/fd \"SHA256\""
-                            },
-                            {
-                                "parameterName": "PageHash",
-                                "parameterValue": "/NPH"
-                            },
-                            {
-                                "parameterName": "TimeStamp",
-                                "parameterValue": "/tr \"http://rfc3161.gtm.corp.microsoft.com/TSS/HttpTspServer\" /td sha256"
-                            }
-                        ],
-                        "ToolName": "sign",
-                        "ToolVersion": "1.0"
-                    },
-                    {
-                        "KeyCode": "CP-230012",
-                        "OperationSetCode": "SigntoolVerify",
-                        "Parameters": [],
-                        "ToolName": "sign",
-                        "ToolVersion": "1.0"
-                    }
-                ]
-            }
-        },
-        {
-            "MatchedPath": [
-                "Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.dll"
-            ],
            "SigningInfo": {
                "Operations": [
                    {
--- a/.pipelines/v2/templates/job-publish-symbols-using-symbolrequestprod-api.yml
+++ b/.pipelines/v2/templates/job-publish-symbols-using-symbolrequestprod-api.yml
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ jobs:
      pwsh: true
      ScriptType: InlineScript
      Inline: |-
-        $AzToken = (Get-AzAccessToken -ResourceUrl api://30471ccf-0966-45b9-a979-065dbedb24c1).Token
+        $AzToken = (Get-AzAccessToken -AsSecureString -ResourceUrl api://30471ccf-0966-45b9-a979-065dbedb24c1).Token | ConvertFrom-SecureString -AsPlainText
        Write-Host "##vso[task.setvariable variable=SymbolAccessToken;issecret=true]$AzToken"


--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -37,17 +37,17 @@ Go to the [Microsoft PowerToys GitHub releases page][github-release-link] and cl
 <!-- items that need to be updated release to release -->
 [github-next-release-work]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues?q=is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22PowerToys+0.92%22
 [github-current-release-work]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues?q=is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22PowerToys+0.91%22
-[ptUserX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.91.1/PowerToysUserSetup-0.91.1-x64.exe 
-[ptUserArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.91.1/PowerToysUserSetup-0.91.1-arm64.exe 
-[ptMachineX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.91.1/PowerToysSetup-0.91.1-x64.exe 
-[ptMachineArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.91.1/PowerToysSetup-0.91.1-arm64.exe
+[ptUserX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.91.0/PowerToysUserSetup-0.91.0-x64.exe 
+[ptUserArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.91.0/PowerToysUserSetup-0.91.0-arm64.exe 
+[ptMachineX64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.91.0/PowerToysSetup-0.91.0-x64.exe 
+[ptMachineArm64]: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/download/v0.91.0/PowerToysSetup-0.91.0-arm64.exe
 
 |  Description   | Filename | sha256 hash |
 |----------------|----------|-------------|
-| Per user - x64       | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.91.1-x64.exe][ptUserX64] | 42EA4A3E8C79A5456476D19E72B3E2AB9393A89C4DC7442EB7EE5A1E3490D38A |
-| Per user - ARM64     | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.91.1-arm64.exe][ptUserArm64] | F3F433FE04049F9197411D792AADEBF34E3BE7FE16327BD8B73D2A046ED8BAF6 |
-| Machine wide - x64   | [PowerToysSetup-0.91.1-x64.exe][ptMachineX64] | EC4BC3A8625775866B0ED4577CCF83E6EC7B1A0AD267379DDBAF4FE49C7B5BDD |
-| Machine wide - ARM64 | [PowerToysSetup-0.91.1-arm64.exe][ptMachineArm64] | 9CB8911008420D0E446AE3D5CE365E447FA4DF9DCF9337F3A80F933C00FC3689 |
+| Per user - x64       | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.91.0-x64.exe][ptUserX64] | 190DD702EDE2D3AC27A253DF8BC2416B1AF05E6594FF25CABEE844E6D3C8CCB0 |
+| Per user - ARM64     | [PowerToysUserSetup-0.91.0-arm64.exe][ptUserArm64] | BE6C964C40147B5F7838E51A13837347756CC45E6AC5BC0DD11AF9AF605ABDCD |
+| Machine wide - x64   | [PowerToysSetup-0.91.0-x64.exe][ptMachineX64] | 2308D896D9A66C56B98AC8B3CE9B7C945C7A2315551E36C118C7ECAC4A6D05C2 |
+| Machine wide - ARM64 | [PowerToysSetup-0.91.0-arm64.exe][ptMachineArm64] | 28BD1FEFA22C52279C6B600E677B425B014D1F9190EA449D6C63FC2702092DA3 |

 This is our preferred method.

--- a/src/WinAppSdkCppPost.props
+++ b/src/WinAppSdkCppPost.props
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-<Project ToolsVersion="15.0" DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionTargetsAppSdkCppProp">
-    <Import Project="$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets" Condition="Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" />
-    <Import Project="$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets" Condition="Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets')" />
-    <Import Project="$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets" Condition="Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets')" />
-  </ImportGroup>
-  <Target Name="EnsureNuGetPackageBuildImportsWinAppSdkCppProp" BeforeTargets="PrepareForBuild">
-    <PropertyGroup>
-      <ErrorText>This project references NuGet package(s) that are missing on this computer. Use NuGet Package Restore to download them.  For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=322105. The missing file is {0}.</ErrorText>
-    </PropertyGroup>
-    <Error Condition="!Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props'))" />
-    <Error Condition="!Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets'))" />
-    <Error Condition="!Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props'))" />
-    <Error Condition="!Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets'))" />
-    <Error Condition="!Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props'))" />
-    <Error Condition="!Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets'))" />
-  </Target>
-</Project>
--- a/src/WinAppSdkCppPre.props
+++ b/src/WinAppSdkCppPre.props
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-<Project ToolsVersion="15.0" DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <Import Project="$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props" Condition="Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props')" />
-  <Import Project="$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props" Condition="Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props')" />
-  <Import Project="$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props" Condition="Exists('$(MsbuildThisFileDirectory)\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" />
-</Project>
--- a/src/modules/MeasureTool/MeasureToolCore/PowerToys.MeasureToolCore.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/MeasureTool/MeasureToolCore/PowerToys.MeasureToolCore.vcxproj
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <Project ToolsVersion="15.0" DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <Import Project="..\..\..\WinAppSdkCppPre.props" />
+  <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props')" />
+  <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props')" />
+  <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
    <CppWinRTOptimized>true</CppWinRTOptimized>
    <CppWinRTRootNamespaceAutoMerge>true</CppWinRTRootNamespaceAutoMerge>
@@ -134,16 +136,24 @@
    <ResourceCompile Include="PowerToys.MeasureToolCore.rc" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
-  <Import Project="..\..\..\WinAppSdkCppPost.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionTargets">
+    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" />
    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.1.0.231216.1\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.1.0.231216.1\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.targets')" />
+    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets')" />
    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.1.0.2903.40\build\native\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.1.0.2903.40\build\native\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.targets')" />
+    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets')" />
  </ImportGroup>
  <Target Name="EnsureNuGetPackageBuildImports" BeforeTargets="PrepareForBuild">
    <PropertyGroup>
      <ErrorText>This project references NuGet package(s) that are missing on this computer. Use NuGet Package Restore to download them.  For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=322105. The missing file is {0}.</ErrorText>
    </PropertyGroup>
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets'))" />
    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.1.0.231216.1\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.1.0.231216.1\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.targets'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets'))" />
    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.1.0.2903.40\build\native\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.1.0.2903.40\build\native\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.targets'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets'))" />
  </Target>
 </Project>
--- a/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/ModuleInterface/dllmain.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/MouseWithoutBorders/ModuleInterface/dllmain.cpp
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ public:
        executable_args.append(L"\" & echo \"Adding an inbound firewall rule for PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders.exe\"");
        executable_args.append(L" & netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name=\"PowerToys.MouseWithoutBorders\" dir=in action=allow program=\"");
        executable_args.append(executable_path);
-        executable_args.append(L"\" enable=yes remoteip=any profile=any protocol=tcp & pause\"");
+        executable_args.append(L"\" enable=yes remoteip=LocalSubnet profile=any protocol=tcp & pause\"");

        SHELLEXECUTEINFOW sei{ sizeof(sei) };
        sei.fMask = { SEE_MASK_NOCLOSEPROCESS | SEE_MASK_FLAG_NO_UI };
--- a/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLauncher/AppLauncher.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/Workspaces/WorkspacesLauncher/AppLauncher.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ namespace AppLauncher
        const std::wstring ChromeFilename = L"chrome.exe";
        const std::wstring ChromePwaFilename = L"chrome_proxy.exe";
        const std::wstring PwaCommandLineAddition = L"--profile-directory=Default --app-id=";
-        const std::wstring SteamProtocolPrefix = L"steam:";
    }

    Result<SHELLEXECUTEINFO, std::wstring> LaunchApp(const std::wstring& appPath, const std::wstring& commandLineArgs, bool elevated)
@@ -135,11 +134,12 @@ namespace AppLauncher
            }
        }

-        // protocol launch for steam
-        if (!launched && !app.appUserModelId.empty() && app.appUserModelId.contains(NonLocalizable::SteamProtocolPrefix))
+        // win32 app with appUserModelId:
+        // usage example: steam games
+        if (!launched && !app.appUserModelId.empty())
        {
            Logger::trace(L"Launching {} as {}", app.name, app.appUserModelId);
-            auto res = LaunchApp(app.appUserModelId, app.commandLineArgs, app.isElevated);
+            auto res = LaunchApp(L"shell:AppsFolder\\" + app.appUserModelId, app.commandLineArgs, app.isElevated);
            if (res.isOk())
            {
                launched = true;
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/CmdPalModuleInterface/dllmain.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/CmdPalModuleInterface/dllmain.cpp
@@ -217,9 +217,7 @@ public:
        CmdPal::m_enabled.store(true);

        std::wstring packageName = L"Microsoft.CommandPalette";
-        // Launch CmdPal as normal user using explorer
-        std::wstring launchPath = L"explorer.exe";
-        std::wstring launchArgs = L"x-cmdpal://background";
+        std::wstring launchPath = L"x-cmdpal://background";
 #ifdef IS_DEV_BRANDING
        packageName = L"Microsoft.CommandPalette.Dev";
 #endif
@@ -270,13 +268,13 @@ public:
        if (!firstEnableCall)
        {
            Logger::trace("Not first attempt, try to launch");
-            LaunchApp(launchPath, launchArgs, false /*no elevated*/, false /*error pop up*/);
+            LaunchApp(launchPath, L"", false /*no elevated*/, false /*error pop up*/);
        }
        else
        {
            // If first time enable, do retry launch.
            Logger::trace("First attempt, try to launch");
-            std::thread launchThread(&CmdPal::RetryLaunch, launchPath, launchArgs);
+            std::thread launchThread(&CmdPal::RetryLaunch, launchPath);
            launchThread.detach();
        }

@@ -291,14 +289,14 @@ public:
        CmdPal::m_enabled.store(false);
    }

-    static void RetryLaunch(std::wstring path, std::wstring cmdArgs)
+    static void RetryLaunch(std::wstring path)
    {
        const int base_delay_milliseconds = 1000;
        int max_retry = 9; // 2**9 - 1 seconds. Control total wait time within 10 min.
        int retry = 0;
        do
        {
-            auto launch_result = LaunchApp(path, cmdArgs, false, retry < max_retry);
+            auto launch_result = LaunchApp(path, L"", false, retry < max_retry);
            if (launch_result)
            {
                Logger::info(L"CmdPal launched successfully after {} retries.", retry);
@@ -350,4 +348,4 @@ std::atomic<bool> CmdPal::m_launched{ false };
 extern "C" __declspec(dllexport) PowertoyModuleIface* __cdecl powertoy_create()
 {
    return new CmdPal();
-}
+}
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels/ListItemViewModel.cs
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels/ListItemViewModel.cs
@@ -107,17 +107,17 @@ public partial class ListItemViewModel(IListItem model, WeakReference<IPageConte

    private void UpdateTags(ITag[]? newTagsFromModel)
    {
-        var newTags = newTagsFromModel?.Select(t =>
-        {
-            var vm = new TagViewModel(t, PageContext);
-            vm.InitializeProperties();
-            return vm;
-        })
-            .ToList() ?? [];
-
        DoOnUiThread(
            () =>
            {
+                var newTags = newTagsFromModel?.Select(t =>
+                {
+                    var vm = new TagViewModel(t, PageContext);
+                    vm.InitializeProperties();
+                    return vm;
+                })
+                    .ToList() ?? [];
+
                // Tags being an ObservableCollection instead of a List lead to
                // many COM exception issues.
                Tags = new(newTags);
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels/ShellViewModel.cs
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/Microsoft.CmdPal.UI.ViewModels/ShellViewModel.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@

 using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
 using System.Runtime.Versioning;
+using CommunityToolkit.Common;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.ComponentModel;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Input;
 using CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Messaging;
@@ -108,11 +109,13 @@ public partial class ShellViewModel(IServiceProvider _serviceProvider, TaskSched
                    // TODO GH #239 switch back when using the new MD text block
                    // _ = _queue.EnqueueAsync(() =>
                    _ = Task.Factory.StartNew(
-                        () =>
+                        async () =>
                        {
                            // bool f = await viewModel.InitializeCommand.ExecutionTask.;
                            // var result = viewModel.InitializeCommand.ExecutionTask.GetResultOrDefault()!;
                            // var result = viewModel.InitializeCommand.ExecutionTask.GetResultOrDefault<bool?>()!;
+                            var result = await viewModel.InitializeAsync();
+
                            CurrentPage = viewModel; // result ? viewModel : null;
                            ////LoadedState = result ? ViewModelLoadedState.Loaded : ViewModelLoadedState.Error;
                        },
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit/JsonSerializationContext.cs
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit/JsonSerializationContext.cs
@@ -16,6 +16,6 @@ namespace Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit;
 [JsonSerializable(typeof(List<ChoiceSetSetting>))]
 [JsonSerializable(typeof(Dictionary<string, object>), TypeInfoPropertyName = "Dictionary")]
 [JsonSourceGenerationOptions(UseStringEnumConverter = true, WriteIndented = true)]
-internal sealed partial class JsonSerializationContext : JsonSerializerContext
+internal partial class JsonSerializationContext : JsonSerializerContext
 {
 }
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit/MatchOption.cs
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit/MatchOption.cs
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 using System;
 using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;

+[assembly: InternalsVisibleTo("Microsoft.Plugin.Program.UnitTests")]
+
 namespace Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit;

 public partial class MatchOption
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit/MatchResult.cs
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit/MatchResult.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@

 using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;

+[assembly: InternalsVisibleTo("Microsoft.Plugin.Program.UnitTests")]
+
 namespace Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit;

 public partial class MatchResult
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit.csproj
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit/Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions.Toolkit.csproj
@@ -15,12 +15,6 @@
    <ResolveAssemblyWarnOrErrorOnTargetArchitectureMismatch>None</ResolveAssemblyWarnOrErrorOnTargetArchitectureMismatch>
  </PropertyGroup>

-  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(CIBuild)'=='true'">
-    <SignAssembly>true</SignAssembly>
-    <DelaySign>true</DelaySign>
-    <AssemblyOriginatorKeyFile>$(MSBuildThisFileDirectory)..\..\..\..\..\.pipelines\272MSSharedLibSN2048.snk</AssemblyOriginatorKeyFile>
-  </PropertyGroup>
-
  <PropertyGroup>
    <CsWinRTIncludes>Microsoft.CommandPalette.Extensions</CsWinRTIncludes>
    <CsWinRTGeneratedFilesDir>$(OutDir)</CsWinRTGeneratedFilesDir>
--- a/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/nuget/BuildSDKHelper.ps1
+++ b/src/modules/cmdpal/extensionsdk/nuget/BuildSDKHelper.ps1
@@ -69,10 +69,6 @@ if (($BuildStep -ieq "all") -Or ($BuildStep -ieq "build")) {
          ("/p:VersionNumber="+$VersionOfSDK)
          )

-        if ($IsAzurePipelineBuild) {
-          $msbuildArgs += "/p:CIBuild=true"
-        }
-
        & $msbuildPath $msbuildArgs
      }
    }
--- a/src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccent.Core/PowerAccent.cs
+++ b/src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccent.Core/PowerAccent.cs
@@ -62,11 +62,11 @@ public partial class PowerAccent : IDisposable

    private void SetEvents()
    {
-        _keyboardListener.SetShowToolbarEvent(new PowerToys.PowerAccentKeyboardService.ShowToolbar((LetterKey letterKey) =>
+        _keyboardListener.SetShowToolbarEvent(new PowerToys.PowerAccentKeyboardService.ShowToolbar((LetterKey letterKey, TriggerKey trigger ) =>
        {
            System.Windows.Application.Current.Dispatcher.Invoke(() =>
            {
-                ShowToolbar(letterKey);
+                ShowToolbar(letterKey, trigger);
            });
        }));

@@ -92,23 +92,15 @@ public partial class PowerAccent : IDisposable
        }));
    }

-    private void ShowToolbar(LetterKey letterKey)
+    private void ShowToolbar(LetterKey letterKey, TriggerKey trigger)
    {
        _visible = true;

        _characters = GetCharacters(letterKey);
        _characterDescriptions = GetCharacterDescriptions(_characters);
        _showUnicodeDescription = _settingService.ShowUnicodeDescription;
-
-        Task.Delay(_settingService.InputTime).ContinueWith(
-        t =>
-        {
-            if (_visible)
-            {
-                OnChangeDisplay?.Invoke(true, _characters);
-            }
-        },
-        TaskScheduler.FromCurrentSynchronizationContext());
+        OnChangeDisplay?.Invoke(true, _characters);
+        ProcessNextChar(trigger, false);
    }

    private string[] GetCharacters(LetterKey letterKey)
--- a/src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccentKeyboardService/KeyboardListener.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccentKeyboardService/KeyboardListener.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation
 {
    KeyboardListener::KeyboardListener() :
-        m_toolbarVisible(false), m_triggeredWithSpace(false), m_leftShiftPressed(false), m_rightShiftPressed(false), m_triggeredWithLeftArrow(false), m_triggeredWithRightArrow(false)
+           m_toolbarVisible(false), m_activationKeyHold(false), m_triggeredWithSpace(false), m_leftShiftPressed(false), m_rightShiftPressed(false), m_triggeredWithLeftArrow(false), m_triggeredWithRightArrow(false)
    {
        s_instance = this;
        LoggerHelpers::init_logger(L"PowerAccent", L"PowerAccentKeyboardService", "PowerAccent");
@@ -53,8 +53,8 @@ namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation

    void KeyboardListener::SetShowToolbarEvent(ShowToolbar showToolbarEvent)
    {
-        m_showToolbarCb = [trigger = std::move(showToolbarEvent)](LetterKey key) {
-            trigger(key);
+        m_showToolbarCb = [trigger = std::move(showToolbarEvent)](LetterKey key, TriggerKey triggerKey) {
+            trigger(key, triggerKey);
        };
    }

@@ -152,6 +152,17 @@ namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation
        return false;
    }

+    void KeyboardListener::BeginShowToolbar(std::chrono::milliseconds delay, LetterKey key, TriggerKey trigger)
+    {
+        std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(toolbarMutex);
+        auto result = toolbarCV.wait_for(lock, delay);
+        if (result == std::cv_status::timeout)
+        {
+            m_toolbarVisible = true;
+            m_showToolbarCb(key, trigger);
+        }
+    }
+
    bool KeyboardListener::OnKeyDown(KBDLLHOOKSTRUCT info) noexcept
    {
        auto letterKey = static_cast<LetterKey>(info.vkCode);
@@ -199,7 +210,7 @@ namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation
            }
        }

-        if (!m_toolbarVisible && letterPressed != LetterKey::None && triggerPressed && !IsSuppressedByGameMode() && !IsForegroundAppExcluded())
+        if (!m_toolbarVisible && !m_activationKeyHold && letterPressed != LetterKey::None && triggerPressed && !IsSuppressedByGameMode() && !IsForegroundAppExcluded())
        {
            Logger::debug(L"Show toolbar. Letter: {}, Trigger: {}", letterPressed, triggerPressed);

@@ -207,11 +218,21 @@ namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation
            m_triggeredWithSpace = triggerPressed == VK_SPACE;
            m_triggeredWithLeftArrow = triggerPressed == VK_LEFT;
            m_triggeredWithRightArrow = triggerPressed == VK_RIGHT;
-            m_toolbarVisible = true;
-            m_showToolbarCb(letterPressed);
+            m_activationKeyHold = true;
+            m_bothKeysPressed = true;
+            if (toolbarThread != nullptr)
+            {
+                toolbarCV.notify_all();
+                toolbarThread->join();
+            }
+            toolbarThread = std::make_unique<std::thread>(std::bind(&KeyboardListener::BeginShowToolbar, this, m_settings.inputTime, letterPressed,static_cast<TriggerKey>(triggerPressed)));
        }

-        if (m_toolbarVisible && triggerPressed)
+        if (m_activationKeyHold && triggerPressed && !m_toolbarVisible)
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+        else if (m_toolbarVisible && triggerPressed)
        {
            if (triggerPressed == VK_LEFT)
            {
@@ -251,8 +272,9 @@ namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation
        {
            letterPressed = LetterKey::None;

-            if (m_toolbarVisible)
+            if (m_toolbarVisible || m_bothKeysPressed)
            {
+                m_bothKeysPressed = false;
                if (m_stopwatch.elapsed() < m_settings.inputTime)
                {
                    Logger::debug(L"Activation too fast. Do nothing.");
@@ -280,11 +302,18 @@ namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation
                Logger::debug(L"Hide toolbar event and input char");

                m_hideToolbarCb(InputType::Char);
-
                m_toolbarVisible = false;
            }
        }

+        auto triggerPressed = info.vkCode;
+
+        if (m_activationKeyHold && (letterPressed == LetterKey::None || (triggerPressed == VK_SPACE || triggerPressed == VK_LEFT || triggerPressed == VK_RIGHT)))
+        {
+            m_activationKeyHold = false;
+            toolbarCV.notify_all();
+        }
+
        return false;
    }

--- a/src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccentKeyboardService/KeyboardListener.h
+++ b/src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccentKeyboardService/KeyboardListener.h
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@

 #include "KeyboardListener.g.h"
 #include <mutex>
+#include <thread>
 #include <spdlog/stopwatch.h>

 namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation
@@ -44,6 +45,7 @@ namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation
        static LRESULT CALLBACK LowLevelKeyboardProc(int nCode, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam);

    private:
+        void BeginShowToolbar(std::chrono::milliseconds delay, LetterKey key, TriggerKey trigger);
        bool OnKeyDown(KBDLLHOOKSTRUCT info) noexcept;
        bool OnKeyUp(KBDLLHOOKSTRUCT info) noexcept;
        bool IsSuppressedByGameMode();
@@ -51,9 +53,14 @@ namespace winrt::PowerToys::PowerAccentKeyboardService::implementation

        static inline KeyboardListener* s_instance;
        HHOOK s_llKeyboardHook = nullptr;
-        bool m_toolbarVisible;
+        std::atomic<bool> m_toolbarVisible;
+        bool m_activationKeyHold;
+        bool m_bothKeysPressed = false;
+        std::unique_ptr<std::thread> toolbarThread;
+        std::mutex toolbarMutex;
+        std::condition_variable toolbarCV;
        PowerAccentSettings m_settings;
-        std::function<void(LetterKey)> m_showToolbarCb;
+        std::function<void(LetterKey, TriggerKey)> m_showToolbarCb;
        std::function<void(InputType)> m_hideToolbarCb;
        std::function<void(TriggerKey, bool)> m_nextCharCb;
        std::function<bool(LetterKey)> m_isLanguageLetterCb;
--- a/src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccentKeyboardService/KeyboardListener.idl
+++ b/src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccentKeyboardService/KeyboardListener.idl
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ namespace PowerToys
            Char
        };

-        [version(1.0), uuid(37197089-5438-4479-af57-30ab3f3c8be4)] delegate void ShowToolbar(LetterKey key);
+        [version(1.0), uuid(37197089-5438-4479-af57-30ab3f3c8be4)] delegate void ShowToolbar(LetterKey key, TriggerKey trigger);
        [version(1.0), uuid(8eb79d6b-1826-424f-9fbc-af21ae19725e)] delegate void HideToolbar(InputType inputType);
        [version(1.0), uuid(db72d45c-a5a2-446f-bdc1-506e9121764a)] delegate void NextChar(TriggerKey inputSpace, boolean shiftPressed);
        [version(1.0), uuid(20be2919-2b91-4313-b6e0-4c3484fe91ef)] delegate void IsLanguageLetter(LetterKey key, [out] boolean* result);
--- a/src/modules/powerrename/PowerRenameUILib/PowerRenameUI.vcxproj
+++ b/src/modules/powerrename/PowerRenameUILib/PowerRenameUI.vcxproj
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <Project ToolsVersion="15.0" DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <Import Project="..\..\..\WinAppSdkCppPre.props" />
+  <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props')" />
+  <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props')" />
+  <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" />
  <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
    <CppWinRTOptimized>true</CppWinRTOptimized>
    <CppWinRTRootNamespaceAutoMerge>true</CppWinRTRootNamespaceAutoMerge>
@@ -200,10 +202,12 @@
    <ResourceCompile Include="PowerRenameUI.rc" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
-  <Import Project="..\..\..\WinAppSdkCppPost.props" />
  <ImportGroup Label="ExtensionTargets">
+    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" />
    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.1.0.231216.1\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.1.0.231216.1\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.targets')" />
+    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets')" />
    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.1.0.2903.40\build\native\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.1.0.2903.40\build\native\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.targets')" />
+    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets')" />
    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\boost.1.87.0\build\boost.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\boost.1.87.0\build\boost.targets')" />
    <Import Project="..\..\..\..\packages\boost_regex-vc143.1.87.0\build\boost_regex-vc143.targets" Condition="Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\boost_regex-vc143.1.87.0\build\boost_regex-vc143.targets')" />
  </ImportGroup>
@@ -211,8 +215,14 @@
    <PropertyGroup>
      <ErrorText>This project references NuGet package(s) that are missing on this computer. Use NuGet Package Restore to download them.  For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=322105. The missing file is {0}.</ErrorText>
    </PropertyGroup>
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.props'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.2.0.240111.5\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.CppWinRT.targets'))" />
    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.1.0.231216.1\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.1.0.231216.1\build\native\Microsoft.Windows.ImplementationLibrary.targets'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.props'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.10.0.22621.2428\build\Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools.targets'))" />
    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.1.0.2903.40\build\native\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.1.0.2903.40\build\native\Microsoft.Web.WebView2.targets'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.props'))" />
+    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.1.7.250401001\build\native\Microsoft.WindowsAppSDK.targets'))" />
    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\boost.1.87.0\build\boost.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\boost.1.87.0\build\boost.targets'))" />
    <Error Condition="!Exists('..\..\..\..\packages\boost_regex-vc143.1.87.0\build\boost_regex-vc143.targets')" Text="$([System.String]::Format('$(ErrorText)', '..\..\..\..\packages\boost_regex-vc143.1.87.0\build\boost_regex-vc143.targets'))" />
  </Target>
--- a/src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/CmdPalPage.xaml.cs
+++ b/src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/CmdPalPage.xaml.cs
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
            ViewModel.RefreshEnabledState();
        }

-        private void LaunchApp(string appPath, string args)
+        private void LaunchApp(string appPath)
        {
            try
            {
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
                var processStartInfo = new ProcessStartInfo
                {
                    FileName = appPath,
-                    Arguments = args,
+                    Arguments = string.Empty,
                    WorkingDirectory = dir,
                    UseShellExecute = true,
                    Verb = "open",
@@ -64,10 +64,9 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views

        private void CmdPalSettingsDeeplink_Click(object sender, Microsoft.UI.Xaml.RoutedEventArgs e)
        {
-            // Launch CmdPal settings window as normal user using explorer
-            string launchPath = "explorer.exe";
-            string launchArgs = "x-cmdpal://settings";
-            LaunchApp(launchPath, launchArgs);
+            // Launch CmdPal settings window
+            string launchPath = "x-cmdpal://settings";
+            LaunchApp(launchPath);
        }
    }
 }