When diving into the depths of Windows 10/11, one might come across the unique capability of opening multiple applications directly from the command prompt or the ‘Run’ command box using something called an “alias” for those applications. These aliases act as shortcuts or nicknames for the actual applications, making it quicker and more efficient to launch them. However, complications arise when two or more applications share strikingly similar or identical alias names. Imagine typing an alias expecting one application to launch, but another entirely different app opens up. This can be not only confusing but also disruptive to one’s workflow.
Thankfully, Microsoft’s most recent iterations of Windows have anticipated such scenarios. They’ve integrated a special feature into the OS that allows users to precisely dictate which application gets precedence when multiple apps bearing the same alias name are called upon simultaneously. This feature is comfortably nestled within the Settings app, ensuring easy access for users to toggle and configure as needed.
In this risewindows article, we’ll be providing a comprehensive guide on how to Enable or Disable App Execution Aliases on Windows 11 and 10. Whether you’re an advanced user or a beginner, this feature can be a game-changer in optimizing your Windows experience.
How to Manage App Execution Aliases on Windows 11?
If more than one app uses the same name in Windows 11, you can select which one should use an alias. Do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Settings app.
Step 2. Next, click on the Apps category in the left pane.
Step 3. Then, click on the Advanced app settings tab on the right pane.
Step 4. Under Advanced app setting windows, click on the App execution aliases tile.
Step 5. After that, Windows 11 will display the list of all the apps that can use aliases. Here, you will see the alias names of the apps just below their names. Turn Off the toggle switch beside the app name if you don’t want an app to use the alias name. And, if you want some app to use the alias name associated with that particular app, turn On the toggle switch for that app.
How to Enable or Disable App Execution Aliases in Windows 10?
To enable or disable app execution aliases in Windows 10, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, launch the Settings app.
Step 2. Next, click on the Apps category.
Step 3. Then, select the Apps and features tab on the left-hand side.
Step 4. Then, click on the App execution aliases link to see the list of apps that might have conflicting nicknames.
Step 5. At last, turn Off the toggle button for the apps with the same name.
After that, when you open an app using their alias names through Command Prompt or Run command box, it would only open the apps with their toggle enabled. And if you disable toggle beside any app, when you try to open that app using Command Prompt, you’ll end up with a message “is not recognized as internal or external command, operable program or batch file.”
In the same way, when you try to open the disabled aliases program through the Run box, you will see a message, “Windows cannot find ‘program name.’ Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.”
Conclusion
Managing app execution aliases on Windows 10, and 11 ensures a smoother and more efficient user experience. By allowing users to specify which applications should respond to certain aliases, Microsoft has added an extra layer of customization and efficiency. This feature helps in preventing any confusion that might arise when multiple applications share similar or identical alias names. By following the above steps, users can easily dictate which applications should launch upon executing specific alias commands, thus optimizing their workflow on the Windows platform.
