For a long time, Windows has been storing app data and cache files in the Program Files folder. However, with Windows 10, Microsoft has moved the app data storage to a sandboxed folder called WindowsApps. The said folder is primarily created for storing data of modern apps like UWP, Electron, and PWAs. Further, the folder is locked out from user’s access to provide high data integrity and security against malware. Having said that, the surprising part is that you can’t access the folder even if you have the administrator privilege. So in this article, we bring you a step by step guide on how to access the WindowsApps folder on Windows 10.
Access WindowsApps Folder on Windows 10
As I said, even if you are an Administrator, you can’t access the WindowsApps folder. It’s because the folder is ‘owned’ by the system. Other than Admin privilege, there are other permissions too on Windows 10 like ownership, read and execute, assign attributes, and more. So you need to share the ownership of the folder to your user account and then you can have access to the WindowsApps folder on Windows 10.
1. First off, open C:\Program Files\ and you will find the “WindowsApps” folder. Now, right-click on it and open “Properties”.
2. Next, move to the “Security” tab and then click on the “Advanced” button.
3. Here, select “TrustedInstaller” from the Permission entries and then click on the “Change” button.
4. Now, enter your account username in the “object name” box. Do not mistake your username with the account name or Microsoft account. To find the correct name, open the C:\Users location and check the folder name of your account. That’s your actual username.
5. Next, click on the “Check Names” button and it will validate your details by adding the computer location. Now, click on the “Ok” button. In case, it throws an error then it means you are entering the wrong username. Enter the correct one and try again.
6. Now, enable the checkbox for “Replace owner on…” and click on the “Apply” and “Ok” button subsequently. It will apply all the changes and will share the ownership with you.
7. Now, close the File Explorer and open the WindowsApps folder again and this time, you will be able to access the WindowsApps folder without any issue.
Access WindowsApps Folder and Delete Unnecessary Files
So that was our short guide on how to access the WindowsApps folder on Windows 10. As we saw above, the steps are quite simple and straightforward. You can further go ahead and delete files that have taken space excessively. While this tutorial was just about the WindowsApps folder, you can apply the same steps while accessing other folders owned by the system. So that is all from us. If you want to learn similar tricks about Windows 10 then go through our linked article. And if you are still facing some issues, do let us know in the comment section below.
Comments
9
Abubakar Mohammed
Beebom Staff
Subin B
Satyam Kumar
Arjun Sha
Vikhyat Rishi
How do you revert back to the original state? I cant reassign TrustedInstaller to get the executable files to appear like they originally did.
I have a SOLUTION for those still unable to gain ownership of the WindowsApps folder!
Follow the guide above from STEP 1 to STEP 6. In step 6 do not click APPLY and OK just yet, you need to go to the auditing tab which is located under the checkbox “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”.
Here are the extra steps:
STEP 7:
In the “Auditing” tab:
– choose ADD
– choose PRINCIPAL
– type in “Everyone”
– click OK
STEP 8:
– check the box “Full control”
– check the box “Only apply these settings to objects and/or containers within this container.”
– Click OK
– if prompted click YES or OK
Click APPLY and OK.
Click OK again to close the window.
STEP 9:
REPEAT STEP 1 and 2
In the “Permissions” tab:
– select the name you used to change ownership in step 5 and click REMOVE.
– select Administrator and click REMOVE
– select User and click REMOVE
– click ADD
– choose PRINCIPAL
– type in the same name you used to change ownership
– click OK
REPEAT STEP 8
You can now ACCESS the WindowsApps folder.
This also works if you choose “Administrator” as a principal and owner.
This also works for any folder that may show corruption or is inaccessible.
The REASON WHY:
Changing ownership for the WindowsApps results for many users in an error that even Microsoft can’t figure out.
This is because when changing ownership, the new owner already has permission settings, those settings need to be removed and re-added in the permissions list. But in order to do so the auditing settings of that folder needs full control.
TLDR:
For those who know what they’re doing. This is how you gain access to WindowsApps folder:
Change ownership to admin. Add in auditing “Everyone” with full control. Apply and close all windows. Re-open properties>security>advanced and remove all users and administrators. Add admin with full control and apply.
Good luck.
finally now i can add minecraft secs mod on my pc
A few months algo I destroyed my Windows making this wrong lol.
Now I made It and works well! Nice.
Wow, that was complicated. They really don’t want anyone to mess with it.
You are not supposed to delete it. If you want to uninstall microsoft store apps you should install ccleaner. It will let you uninstall any apps with registry. But if you just delete the folder. It wont uninstall it . But will leave thounsands of files left. It could litterely destroy your computer.???
Did not work for me. After this process, I had ownership but no effective permissions. I could not delete files in WindowsApps.
Same here.
wdas