JAVCIF · Aug 28, 2026 · Aug 28, 2026 · Aug 28, 2026
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: false
 
 env:
-  RELEASE_TAG: v1.0.0-beta.1.1
+  RELEASE_TAG: v1.0.0-beta.1.2
 
 jobs:
   build-release:
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: Restore
         run: dotnet restore .\LocaleGameHub\LocaleGameHub.csproj
 
+      - name: Test Windows taskbar and shortcut identities
+        run: dotnet run --project .\tests\VNAR.ShellTests\VNAR.ShellTests.csproj -c Release
+
       - name: Publish self-contained build
         shell: pwsh
         run: |
@@ -135,9 +138,18 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           $tag = "${{ env.RELEASE_TAG }}"
           $notes = @"
-          ## VNAR Beta 1.1
+          ## VNAR Beta 1.2
+
+          Fixes the launcher taskbar icon being replaced by a previously opened game shortcut.
+
+          - Stable, separate taskbar identity for the VNAR library window.
+          - Unique persistent identity for each game shortcut, independent of the admin setting.
+          - Installer shortcuts use the same launcher identity.
+          - Windows regression tests check process identities and saved shortcut properties.
 
-          First public GitHub beta package.
+          Recreate old game shortcuts to add their explicit identity. If an old pinned VNAR
+          icon stays cached, unpin it and pin the running Beta 1.2 launcher again.
+          Existing library data and game launch profiles are unchanged.
 
           ### Downloads
           - **VNAR-Setup.exe** — self-contained Windows installer.
@@ -156,7 +168,7 @@ jobs:
               .\dist\VNAR-Setup.exe `
               .\dist\VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip `
               .\dist\SHA256SUMS.txt `
-              --title "VNAR Beta 1.1" `
+              --title "VNAR Beta 1.2" `
               --notes $notes `
               --prerelease --draft `
               --target "${{ github.sha }}"

diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 1.0.0-beta.1.2
+
+- Fix taskbar icon collisions between the VNAR launcher and game shortcuts targeting the same executable.
+- Assign a stable launcher AppUserModelID and a distinct ID per game, before creating windows.
+- Persist game IDs in shortcut properties without changing their icons, targets, or arguments.
+- Set the launcher ID on installer-created shortcuts.
+- Add Windows integration checks for process identity and shortcut persistence, with normal/admin game settings.
+
+
 ## 1.0.0-beta.1.1
 
 First public GitHub beta package.

diff --git a/LocaleGameHub/App.xaml.cs b/LocaleGameHub/App.xaml.cs
@@ -16,10 +16,15 @@ protected override void OnStartup(StartupEventArgs e)
 
         try
         {
+            var isGameLaunch = TryGetLaunchGameId(e.Args, out var gameId);
+            // Set the identity before creating any windows, including error dialogs.
+            // Old shortcuts without an explicit AppID cannot claim the launcher UI.
+            TaskbarIdentityService.SetCurrentProcessIdentity(isGameLaunch ? gameId : null);
+
             var preferences = new LibraryService();
             LocalizationService.SetLanguage(preferences.Settings.Language);
 
-            if (TryGetLaunchGameId(e.Args, out var gameId))
+            if (isGameLaunch)
             {
                 LaunchFromShortcut(preferences, gameId);
                 Shutdown(0);

diff --git a/LocaleGameHub/LocaleGameHub.csproj b/LocaleGameHub/LocaleGameHub.csproj
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     <ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
     <AssemblyName>VNAR</AssemblyName>
     <RootNamespace>LocaleGameHub</RootNamespace>
-    <Version>1.0.0-beta.1.1</Version>
+    <Version>1.0.0-beta.1.2</Version>
     <ApplicationManifest>app.manifest</ApplicationManifest>
     <ApplicationIcon>Resources\VNAR.ico</ApplicationIcon>
   </PropertyGroup>

diff --git a/LocaleGameHub/Services/ShortcutService.cs b/LocaleGameHub/Services/ShortcutService.cs
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ public static string CreateShortcut(GameEntry game, string shortcutName, string
             ReleaseCom(shellObject);
         }
 
+        TaskbarIdentityService.SetShortcutIdentity(shortcutPath, game.Id);
         return shortcutPath;
     }
 

diff --git a/LocaleGameHub/Services/TaskbarIdentityService.cs b/LocaleGameHub/Services/TaskbarIdentityService.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices.ComTypes;
+
+namespace LocaleGameHub.Services;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Prevents Explorer from inferring one shared taskbar identity from VNAR.exe
+/// for the library UI and every "--launch" shortcut.
+/// </summary>
+public static class TaskbarIdentityService
+{
+    // Keep this stable across versions, and in sync with installer/VNAR.iss.
+    public const string LauncherAppId = "JAVCIF.VNAR.Launcher";
+
+    public static string GetGameAppId(Guid gameId) => $"JAVCIF.VNAR.Game.{gameId:N}";
+
+    public static void SetCurrentProcessIdentity(Guid? gameId = null)
+    {
+        var appId = gameId.HasValue ? GetGameAppId(gameId.Value) : LauncherAppId;
+        Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHR(SetCurrentProcessExplicitAppUserModelID(appId));
+    }
+
+    public static void SetShortcutIdentity(string shortcutPath, Guid gameId)
+    {
+        // WScript.Shell exposes the icon/arguments but not System.AppUserModel.ID.
+        // Reopen the saved link and change only that property, preserving its icon,
+        // target, arguments and any existing Shell Link flags.
+        var linkType = Type.GetTypeFromCLSID(new Guid("00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046"), true)!;
+        var link = Activator.CreateInstance(linkType)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("Could not open the Shell Link property store.");
+
+        try
+        {
+            var file = (IPersistFile)link;
+            file.Load(shortcutPath, 2); // STGM_READWRITE
+            var store = (IPropertyStore)link;
+            var key = new PropertyKey
+            {
+                FormatId = new Guid("9F4C2855-9F79-4B39-A8D0-E1D42DE1D5F3"),
+                PropertyId = 5 // PKEY_AppUserModel_ID
+            };
+            var value = new PropVariant
+            {
+                ValueType = 31, // VT_LPWSTR
+                StringValue = Marshal.StringToCoTaskMemUni(GetGameAppId(gameId))
+            };
+
+            try
+            {
+                Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHR(store.SetValue(ref key, ref value));
+                Marshal.ThrowExceptionForHR(store.Commit());
+                file.Save(shortcutPath, true);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Marshal.FreeCoTaskMem(value.StringValue);
+            }
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            Marshal.FinalReleaseComObject(link);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [DllImport("shell32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Unicode, ExactSpelling = true)]
+    private static extern int SetCurrentProcessExplicitAppUserModelID(string appId);
+
+    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential, Pack = 4)]
+    private struct PropertyKey
+    {
+        public Guid FormatId;
+        public uint PropertyId;
+    }
+
+    // PROPVARIANT's union contains a counted pointer: 16 bytes on x86,
+    // 24 on x64. Include that member so the native layout is correct on both.
+    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
+    private struct CountedPointer
+    {
+        public uint Count;
+        public IntPtr Pointer;
+    }
+
+    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Explicit)]
+    private struct PropVariant
+    {
+        [FieldOffset(0)] public ushort ValueType;
+        [FieldOffset(8)] public IntPtr StringValue;
+        [FieldOffset(8)] public CountedPointer ArrayValue;
+    }
+
+    [ComImport]
+    [Guid("886D8EEB-8CF2-4446-8D02-CDBA1DBDCF99")]
+    [InterfaceType(ComInterfaceType.InterfaceIsIUnknown)]
+    private interface IPropertyStore
+    {
+        [PreserveSig] int GetCount(out uint count);
+        [PreserveSig] int GetAt(uint index, out PropertyKey key);
+        [PreserveSig] int GetValue(ref PropertyKey key, out PropVariant value);
+        [PreserveSig] int SetValue(ref PropertyKey key, ref PropVariant value);
+        [PreserveSig] int Commit();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/README.es.md b/README.es.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 Un launcher ligero para Windows enfocado en visual novels, con integración con Locale Emulator, metadatos de VNDB, edición de portadas, navegación por desarrolladores, favoritos, soporte WebP y accesos directos inteligentes.
 
-[English](README.md) · [Descargar Beta 1.1](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta.1.1)
+[English](README.md) · [Descargar Beta 1.2](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta.1.2)
 </div>
 
 ## Descargas
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ Un launcher ligero para Windows enfocado en visual novels, con integración con
 
 | Paquete | Descripción | Descarga |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| Instalador | Instalación autocontenida, acceso en el menú Inicio y acceso de escritorio opcional | [VNAR-Setup.exe](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/download/v1.0.0-beta.1.1/VNAR-Setup.exe) |
-| Portable | Versión autocontenida; descomprime y ejecuta `VNAR.exe` | [VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/download/v1.0.0-beta.1.1/VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip) |
+| Instalador | Instalación autocontenida, acceso en el menú Inicio y acceso de escritorio opcional | [VNAR-Setup.exe](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/download/v1.0.0-beta.1.2/VNAR-Setup.exe) |
+| Portable | Versión autocontenida; descomprime y ejecuta `VNAR.exe` | [VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/download/v1.0.0-beta.1.2/VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip) |
 
 Locale Emulator **no viene incluido** dentro de VNAR. En el primer arranque puedes seleccionar un `LEProc.exe` existente o dejar que VNAR descargue la versión oficial de Locale Emulator.
 
@@ -81,9 +81,21 @@ dotnet run --project .\LocaleGameHub\LocaleGameHub.csproj
 
 También se incluyen `build_portable.bat` y `build_small.bat` para compilaciones locales.
 
+## Iconos de la barra de tareas (Beta 1.2)
+
+VNAR ahora declara su propio AppUserModelID de Windows. Cada acceso de juego tiene
+una identidad distinta y estable para que su icono no se asocie a la ventana del
+launcher. La opción de administrador sigue cambiando únicamente el perfil de
+Locale Emulator.
+
+Los accesos antiguos siguen funcionando. Vuelve a crearlos desde VNAR para añadir
+la nueva identidad. Si Windows conserva el icono de un VNAR anclado anteriormente,
+desancla ese acceso, abre el `VNAR.exe` actualizado y ancla la ventana nueva.
+No necesitas borrar la caché global de iconos ni tus datos.
+
 ## Estado del proyecto
 
-Versión pública actual: **Beta 1.1 (`1.0.0-beta.1.1`)**.
+Versión pública actual: **Beta 1.2 (`1.0.0-beta.1.2`)**.
 
 Puedes usar GitHub Issues para reportar errores o proponer mejoras.
 

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 A lightweight Windows launcher for visual novels with Locale Emulator integration, VNDB metadata, cover editing, developer browsing, favorites, WebP support, and smart desktop shortcuts.
 
-[Español](README.es.md) · [Download Beta 1.1](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta.1.1)
+[Español](README.es.md) · [Download Beta 1.2](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta.1.2)
 </div>
 
 ## Downloads
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ A lightweight Windows launcher for visual novels with Locale Emulator integratio
 
 | Package | Description | Download |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| Installer | Self-contained installation with Start Menu integration and optional desktop shortcut | [VNAR-Setup.exe](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/download/v1.0.0-beta.1.1/VNAR-Setup.exe) |
-| Portable | Self-contained portable build; extract and run `VNAR.exe` | [VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/download/v1.0.0-beta.1.1/VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip) |
+| Installer | Self-contained installation with Start Menu integration and optional desktop shortcut | [VNAR-Setup.exe](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/download/v1.0.0-beta.1.2/VNAR-Setup.exe) |
+| Portable | Self-contained portable build; extract and run `VNAR.exe` | [VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip](https://github.com/JAVCIF/vnar/releases/download/v1.0.0-beta.1.2/VNAR-Portable-win-x64.zip) |
 
 Locale Emulator is **not bundled** with VNAR. On first launch, VNAR can use an existing `LEProc.exe` or download the official Locale Emulator release for you.
 
@@ -87,9 +87,25 @@ dotnet publish .\LocaleGameHub\LocaleGameHub.csproj -c Release -r win-x64 --self
 
 The repository also includes `build_portable.bat` and `build_small.bat` for local Windows builds.
 
+## Taskbar icons (Beta 1.2)
+
+VNAR now declares its own Windows AppUserModelID. Game shortcuts use a separate,
+stable ID per game, so opening one cannot supply its icon to the VNAR library window.
+The administrator option still only selects the Locale Emulator profile.
+
+Existing shortcuts keep working. Recreate them in VNAR to add the new shortcut
+identity. If an old pinned VNAR icon remains cached, unpin it, open the updated
+`VNAR.exe`, and pin that running window again. No icon-cache reset is required.
+
+Windows shell regression checks:
+
+```powershell
+dotnet run --project .\tests\VNAR.ShellTests\VNAR.ShellTests.csproj -c Release
+```
+
 ## Project status
 
-Current public build: **Beta 1.1 (`1.0.0-beta.1.1`)**.
+Current public build: **Beta 1.2 (`1.0.0-beta.1.2`)**.
 
 Bug reports and suggestions are welcome through GitHub Issues.
 

diff --git a/installer/VNAR.iss b/installer/VNAR.iss
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #define MyAppName "VNAR"
-#define MyAppVersion "1.0.0-beta.1.1"
+#define MyAppVersion "1.0.0-beta.1.2"
 #define MyAppPublisher "JAVCIF"
 #define MyAppExeName "VNAR.exe"
 
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ Name: "desktopicon"; Description: "{cm:CreateDesktopIcon}"; GroupDescription: "{
 Source: "..\dist\portable\*"; DestDir: "{app}"; Flags: ignoreversion recursesubdirs createallsubdirs
 
 [Icons]
-Name: "{autoprograms}\VNAR"; Filename: "{app}\{#MyAppExeName}"; WorkingDir: "{app}"
-Name: "{autodesktop}\VNAR"; Filename: "{app}\{#MyAppExeName}"; WorkingDir: "{app}"; Tasks: desktopicon
+Name: "{autoprograms}\VNAR"; Filename: "{app}\{#MyAppExeName}"; WorkingDir: "{app}"; AppUserModelID: "JAVCIF.VNAR.Launcher"
+Name: "{autodesktop}\VNAR"; Filename: "{app}\{#MyAppExeName}"; WorkingDir: "{app}"; Tasks: desktopicon; AppUserModelID: "JAVCIF.VNAR.Launcher"
 
 [Run]
 Filename: "{app}\{#MyAppExeName}"; Description: "{cm:LaunchProgram,VNAR}"; Flags: nowait postinstall skipifsilent
-Original file line number
+Diff line change
@@ Expand Up @@
                 ReleaseCom(shellObject);
             }
+            TaskbarIdentityService.SetShortcutIdentity(shortcutPath, game.Id);
             return shortcutPath;
         }
@@ Expand Down @@