How to find the Target *.exe file of *.appref-ms

I have to make a backup of the program running from the file *.appref-ms
When I opened the file GitHub.appref-ms using a text editor I found

http://github-windows.s3.amazonaws.com/GitHub.application#GitHub.application, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=8f45a2159c87c850, processorArchitecture=x86

Where is the target stored on the local disk?
Editing the PublicKeyToken resulted in Default or Null Icon.
Editing the URL resulted in "Application Cannot Start".
How is *.appref-ms targeting the Exe?
This doesn't answer my Question

Note: I tried opening the file offline, it still works perfectly.

Solution 1:

Simple answer to this; I was trying to figure out the same thing, and it just hit me.

GitHub IS a program installed on your computer, and when it runs, it WILL use threads and RAM. So that makes it a process. All you have to do is open Task Manager, click the Processes tab, find 'Github.exe', right click, Open File Location. Voila! Mine is under the folder %LocalAppData%\Apps, about 4 layers deep.

Solution 2:

The appref-ms file does not point to the exe. When you hit that shortcut, it invokes the deployment manifest at the deployment provider url and checks for updates. It checks the application manifest (yourapp.exe.manifest) to see what files to download, and this file contains the definition of the entry point (i.e. the exe).

Solution 3:

I know this question is old, but the way I found the executable file for a similar application was to first open the application, then open Windows Task Manager, and in the "Processes" list right-click on it and choose "Open File Location".

I couldn't seem to find the location in the application reference file in my case...