Runner issues when starting Microsoft Edge

[JavierReyes945]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.74.1

Installation method

WinGet

Running as admin

Yes

Area(s) with issue?

PowerToys Run

Steps to reproduce

Betriebssystemname:                            Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Betriebssystemversion:                         10.0.19045 Nicht zutreffend Build 19045

When Windows and Powertoys start, the first time the runner is given the text "edge" in order to find Microsoft Edge, it correctly shows the application (with icon), as well as an "Aplication Package" without icon. Selecting either of them starts the Edge browser.

But after that first time, when the runner is given the text "edge", it shows both entries "application" and "application package" (both without icon). And the "application" cannot start the Edge browser, displaying the error message "start not possible: C:\Users<user>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Microsoft Edge.lnk". Edge can only be started by selecting the entry "application package", but the icon is not shown.

First run:

Second run:

Error shown when selecting the application:

✔️ Expected Behavior

Only one entry to be displayed for Edge browser (with correct icon), every time the text edge is given

❌ Actual Behavior

2 different entries for the browser are displayed, one without icon, and the one with icon only works the first time after windows start. After that, it shows an error message

Other Software

Edge Version 118.0.2088.46 (Official build) (64-bit)

[JavierReyes945]

Attached the runner log found in AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys\RunnerLogs:

runner-log_2023-10-17.txt

[cinnamon-msft]

Are you still experiencing this issue? /needinfo

[mattiasflodin]

I just experienced this same symptom. It turns out that the path to the .lnk file that was in the cache was no longer valid. This was evidenced by an entry in the log file saying "file not found" when trying to start the .lnk file - and indeed that .lnk file no longer existed (I guess it was moved in some update).

I didn't spend time figuring out where the cache actually resides but just deleted all of %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PowerToys, and after that it worked again.

This smells to me like a bug. At the very least, when PowerToys discovers that a path referenced by its cache no longer exists, it should invalidate the cache.