The Windows operating system has a file directory structure that hasn't changed much beyond major releases. You'll find the cadre system files in the Windows folder, user contour data in the Users folder, and plan files in the Programme Files and Program Files (x86) folders.

What about Microsoft Store apps, however? Dissimilar other desktop apps, Microsoft Store apps remain hidden in a secret WindowsApps folder. Windows limits access to this binder from standard Windows user accounts, and so to view or edit information technology in whatever style, you lot'll need to make some changes. Here'south what you'll need to do.

What is the WindowsApps Folder in Windows 10?

The WindowsApps folder, equally we've mentioned, is a restricted binder containing Microsoft Store apps. It also contains some Windows apps that use the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app way (as introduced in Windows 8), such as the Your Telephone app (yourphone.exe).

From a security indicate of view, restricting the WindowsApps folder makes sense. By sandboxing Microsoft Store apps from the rest of Windows, and limiting ownership of the files to a hidden TrustedInstaller user account, Microsoft Shop apps have limited access to the rest of Windows compared to standard desktop apps.

Unfortunately, this does hateful that making any changes to the WindowsApps binder (or viewing it at all) is difficult. You lot'll need to take steps to have buying of the folder first, allowing you access to change the folder afterwards.

However, information technology's important to consider the security risks before you attempt this. While Microsoft vets apps for quality and safety, limiting access to the WindowsApps folder adds some other layer of protection, preventing access to other sensitive files or folders (such as your user contour folder in the C:\Users directory).

By taking ownership of the folder, yous're reducing this added protection, and exposing more than of your organization data to Microsoft Store apps. If you're concerned, you should scan for malware later to offering yourself peace of listen.

Using Windows File Explorer to Access the WindowsApps Folder

To access the WindowsApp binder in Windows x, the easiest method is to utilise Windows File Explorer. Y'all'll demand to enable the viewing of hidden folders and take ownership of the folder, giving you the ability to view the folder and brand changes.

  1. To start, open File Explorer on your Windows PC. Windows hides certain folders by default, then you'll need to disable this first. To practice this, select View > Hidden items. This will cause hidden files and folders to announced in the directory list on the right.
  1. With hidden folders accessible, open up the Plan Files directory (usually C:\Program Files) using the accost bar. The WindowsApp folder should be visible in the directory listing.
  1. To take control of WindowsApps, right-click the folder and select Backdrop.
  1. In the Backdrop window, select the Security tab, and then select the Advanced option.
  1. In the Avant-garde Security Settings window, select the Change push, listed next to the Owner information at the tiptop.
  1. In the Select User or Grouping box, blazon the username for your Windows user account, and then select Cheque Names before selecting OK. For Microsoft accounts, type your email address instead.
  1. Buying of the folder will update to reverberate your username (as seen in the Owner data at the acme of the window). Brand sure to enable the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects checkbox at the top of the card. If you lot're happy to go along, select OK (or Use > OK) to make the change.
  1. Yous should now be able to view and edit the WindowApps folder, along with all sub-folders and files. Double-click the WindowsApps folder in the C:\Program Files directory to view the full contents.

Gaining Access to WindowsApps using the Windows PowerShell

The method above volition grant you admission to the WindowsApps folder and permit you lot to take ownership, but information technology tin be quite a cumbersome process to follow. If you lot want to quickly change ownership of the WindowsApps folder and proceeds total admission, you can apply Windows PowerShell instead.

  1. To open a new PowerShell window, right-click the Start card and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
  1. In the new PowerShell window, type takeown /f "C:\Programme Files\WindowsApps" /r and press Enter. This volition have some time to consummate. By using the /f (force) and /r (recursive) flags, the takeown command will forcefulness buying of the WindowsApps folder to modify, applying the change to all files and subfolders.

In one case the process is consummate, the WindowsApps folder (C:\Plan Files\WindowsApps) will exist attainable to you in Windows File Explorer.

Agreement the WindowsApps Folder Structure

Unlike the Plan Files folder, the WindowsApp folder isn't structured by a simple app name. A Microsoft Store app folder in WindowsApps will take a naming structure that typically follows this pattern: proper name, version number, architecture (such every bit x64 for standard 64-bit CPU PCs), and Microsoft Store publisher ID.

For instance, the Netflix app folder is named 4DF9E0F8.Netflix_6.97.752.0_x64__mcm4njqhnhss8. The 4DF9E0F8.Netflix component is the internal app proper name, while vi.97.752.0 is the app version.

The architecture, x64, points to the common 64-bit CPU architecture, while mcm4njqhnhss8 is the publisher ID for Netflix. All app folders in the WindowsApps folder will, in some way, follow this structure.

You lot may also meet some apps with more than than i binder. While the name, app version, and publisher ID remain the aforementioned, some folders will take neutral or neutral_split.scale for architecture. This commonly points to common data files (such equally app metadata) that remain the same, regardless of the target architecture.

Core files, yet, are institute in the primary architecture binder (such every bit the x64 folder). Some apps may have executable files you lot can run direct, while others are spider web apps, with javascript and other spider web assets visible.

Netflix, for instance, is a web-based app. Inside the cadre Netflix x64 directory, folders labelled js, images, fonts, and obj point to its origins, with javascript and HTML lawmaking. Other apps, like the Microsoft Bing News app, come up with an executable file and dynamic link library (DLL) files instead, similar to standard desktop apps.

If you're curious, yous tin have a look effectually the diverse sub-folders to gain an understanding of how the apps you install work, just you lot won't be able to make any changes to the code.

Troubleshooting Microsoft Shop Apps on Windows 10

Once you gain admission to the WindowsApps folder, you can explore the different Microsoft Store apps that you lot accept installed and (if necessary) remove them. Some apps, like yourphone.exe, are cadre Windows apps that you shouldn't remove, while others (like those yous install from the Store yourself) can be uninstalled safely.

It'due south probably best to uninstall Microsoft Store apps through the Microsoft Store itself or by using the Windows Settings menu, notwithstanding. If you're having trouble updating apps you've installed yourself, yous may need to look at why, including checking for slow Microsoft Shop downloads.