Finding Application User Model IDs (AUMIDs) on Windows 10 & 11

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In today's digital landscape, managing applications on your Windows device effectively is more crucial than ever. Whether you're a casual user or a system administrator, knowing how to find the Application User Model ID (AUMID or AppID) of your installed applications can greatly enhance your ability to manage software interactions, assign access controls, or troubleshoot issues. This post dives into the details of checking AUMIDs in Windows 10 and 11, highlighting various native methods.

What is an Application User Model ID (AUMID)?​

Before we delve into the how-to, let's clarify what an AUMID is. Every installed application in Windows is assigned a unique AUMID, which is independent of its display name, installation path, and other identifiers. Windows uses these IDs for various purposes, including launching apps, telemetry, and switching between app instances. Additionally, AUMIDs are essential when configuring assigned access features, such as creating dedicated or kiosk devices.

Methods to Check Application User Model ID (AUMID)​

Here are four primary methods to check the Application User Model ID of installed applications on Windows:

1. Via File Explorer​

Using File Explorer is one of the simplest methods to find AUMIDs. Here’s how:
  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  • Type shell:Appsfolder and press Enter. This will open the Applications folder in File Explorer.
  • Once inside, click on the Sort menu, then Group by, and select AppUserModelID. All installed applications will be grouped by their AUMIDs.
If you prefer, you can right-click in an empty area, choose Group by, then More..., select the AppUserModelID option, and confirm by clicking OK.

2. Using Windows PowerShell​

If you're comfortable with command-line tools, Windows PowerShell offers a robust method to retrieve AUMIDs:
  • Launch PowerShell by searching for it in the Start menu.
  • Run the following command:
    Code:
     Get-StartApps | Format-Table
    This command lists all installed apps available in the Start menu along with their corresponding AppIDs.
Alternatively, you can run a more comprehensive script:
Code:
 $installedapps = Get-AppxPackage $aumidList = @() foreach ($app in $installedapps) { foreach ($id in (Get-AppxPackageManifest $app).package.applications.application.id) { $aumidList += $app.packagefamilyname + "!" + $id } } $aumidList
This script provides a list of all AUMIDs but does not display the application names directly.

3. Through the Registry Editor​

Accessing the Registry can seem daunting, but it provides a detailed look at application settings.
  • Open Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Run dialog.
  • Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes.
  • Browse through the sub-keys for entries with lengthy names (like AppX0t69n30jztar4a12pv0h1xh91e8jsacr).
  • Within each key, locate the Application Registry key to find the Name (AppUserModelID) and its corresponding data.

Caveat: Navigating through the Registry requires caution. Only modify entries if you fully understand the consequences.​

4. Using Command Prompt​

For a more straightforward command-line approach, the Command Prompt can be utilized:
  • Open the Command Prompt by searching for it in the Start menu.
  • Execute the following command:
    Code:
     reg query HKCU\Software\Classes\ /s /f AppUserModelID | find "REG_SZ"
    This command queries the registry for the AppUserModelID and displays a list.

Additional Insights​

Occasionally, you may need the GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) of applications, particularly for MSI packages. These GUIDs can also be located via PowerShell and have a specific structure (a 128-bit value represented in hexadecimal).
For example, to find the GUID of MSI packages, use:
Code:
 get-wmiobject Win32_Product | Sort-Object -Property Name | Format-Table IdentifyingNumber, Name, LocalPackage –AutoSize
Furthermore, if you're curious about process IDs for running applications, the Task Manager provides a straightforward way to view this information.

Conclusion​

Managing installed applications and their AUMIDs in Windows is a handy skill for any user or administrator. Whether you're troubleshooting, setting up kiosk mode, or simply trying to understand your system better, these methods offer easy access to vital application details. Stay informed and empowered to take full control of your Windows environment.

Feel free to engage with us if you have any questions or want to share your experiences with these methods!
Source: The Windows Club How to check Application User Model ID (AppID) of installed apps in Windows 11