It's a sad day... Affinity Photo and Designer ver 2.0 was released, and unfortunately will no longer work with CTA5 (nor 4 I would assume).  The new version of Affinity applications install into C:\Program Files\WindowsApp which Microsoft, for whatever reason has made it inaccessible.  Tis true, Microsoft has hidden away folders and files on your very own system, and you cannot access them without some kind of registry hack.  Supposedly there are alias files for these hidden locations, but unfortunately, CTA5 will not accept them.
So, if you're an Affinity user and use Photo or Designer in CTA5, either hold off on upgrading to version 2.0, or don't replace your older Affinity apps when installing the new ones.
Either way, I'm really kinda miffed about it.

There is no need for any "registry hacks" to view hidden folders.

In Windows File Explorer simply place a check mark before "Hidden items" in the File Menu as shown below and you can then view and access all folders.




Gerry

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System: Win 10 Pro (21H2), Asus X99-E WS, CPU i7-5930K -3,5 GHz, 32 GB DDR4 2666-16 RAM, NVidia GTX 1080 Ti GPU - 11 GB VRAM(Driver Studio-536.99), Samsung 850 Pro 512 GB SSD, 6 TB HD storage.

That will not work for C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. 

This issue also occurred with Affinity Ver 1.0 products if you purchased them from the Microsoft Store.

Are you not able to buy Affinity 2.0 products directly from Serif? You could do this with Affinity 1.0 and then you can install them anywhere you like.

However, even if you have purchased from the Microsoft Store there is a way around it. It's a bit of a pain but can be done. Please see the link below for step-by-step instructions.

https://winbuzzer.com/2020/04/15/windows-10-how-to-access-windows-store-apps-folders-in-file-explorer-xcxwbt/

                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

I bought them directly from Serif, through an upgrade offer.  Unfortunately, the install doesn't even give an option to install into a custom directory (another point that has Affinity users very sore).  I will try out your link, and report back.

[EDIT] I did as your link suggested, and CTA5 will allow me to pick them.  But unfortunately, clicking the SVG or Image editor in CTA5 asks if I want a new object or open a file.  But regardless of what I choose, the Affinity app doesn't open.

 Clicking either of these buttons dos not actually open the appropriate application.  But neither is there an error reported.

Do make sure to restart your computer for the new permission settings to take effect. This will normally allow you to open the App from CTA5.

                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

Still a no-go.  I uninstalled the Affinity apps, re-installed.  made sure I changed the security on the WindowsApps folder, and was able to navigate to the EXE in CTA5 and set it.  And the icons do show up, but unfortunately, the apps still do not start up and run from within CTA5.  I even ran CTA5 as Administrator, but still a no-go.

Are you able to launch Affinity Designer/Photo 2 from within the WindowsApp folder by double clicking the exe?

                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

I hadn't thought of trying that since the Desktop shortcut links worked.  But after just now trying it, no... Neither double clicking them nor right clicking and trying As Administrator starts the apps.

SYSTEM has ownership of the actual file, so shouldn't be access or permission related.

I'm having the exact same issue on my PC (Windows 10 Professional).  I installed a copy on my Laptop (Windows 11 Home) and it works fine with the same permissions.
I'm thinking it may be an issue related to the OS, as I'm having a few other issues on my PC (problems downloading smart content in CTA5) but none whatsoever on my Laptop.