Why I can not open C:\Program Files\WindowsApps ?

Hello,

Can someone please explain me how to open C:\Program Files\WindowsApps to see it contents?

How do I fix "This access control entry is corrupt" ?

Thanks
Camelia

Right-click the WindowsApps folder, select "Properties", click on the "Security" tab, then "Advanced", under "Owner", click "Change", "Advanced", next to "Common Queries", click "Find now", double-click your user name, click "OK", then "OK" again.

Ben

Hey camelia,
FYI .. that "access control entry is corrupt" message is misleading. It's actually a special permission/condition that is suppose to be there and I would not change/mess with it .... IIRC it's the user DOMAIN\USERS with the Condition Exists (Win://SYSAPPID)

BTW ... if you're just wanting to take a look inside the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps you should be able to do it by opening a Command Prompt as Admin and cd C:\Program Files\WindowsApps then dir to list the folders.

Brink said:

Hello Camelia,

This is a protected folder (as you found out) that's where the default Store app packages are located.

To be able to open this folder, you will need to:

1) Change the owner of the folder to your account.

Change Owner of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

2) Try to open the folder again, and click/tap on "Continue" when prompted.

If you like, you can use the "Take Ownership" context menu added from the tutorial below to make it easy by just right clicking on the folder and clicking on "Take Ownership". It'll take a bit for it to finish.

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

Hello!! and Thanks @Brink

Ben Myers said:

Right-click the WindowsApps folder, select "Properties", click on the "Security" tab, then "Advanced", under "Owner", click "Change", "Advanced", next to "Common Queries", click "Find now", double-click your user name, click "OK", then "OK" again.

Ben

Thank you @Ben Myers

Eagle51 said:

Hey camelia,
FYI .. that "access control entry is corrupt" message is misleading. It's actually a special permission/condition that is suppose to be there and I would not change/mess with it .... IIRC it's the user DOMAIN\USERS with the Condition Exists (Win://SYSAPPID)

BTW ... if you're just wanting to take a look inside the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps you should be able to do it by opening a Command Prompt as Admin and cd C:\Program Files\WindowsApps then dir to list the folders.

Great @Eagle51

I wouldn't fiddle with the access privileges. Just use TreeSize Free to peruse the contents of this and other protected folders https://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free/

WindowsApp is a folder where all the program files are stored that installed from the Windows / Microsoft Store. Apps installed from the Microsoft Store like Photos, Paint 3D, Movies & TV, People, Windows Camera and more. All the files related to these Store applications are installed in the WindowsApp folder. WindowsApp folder location is “C:\Program Files” folder and restricted to access by default.

Steve C said:

I wouldn't fiddle with the access privileges. Just use TreeSize Free to peruse the contents of this and other protected folders https://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free/

@Steve C , Thanks I will try TreeSize

athman8 said:

WindowsApp is a folder where all the program files are stored that installed from the Windows / Microsoft Store. Apps installed from the Microsoft Store like Photos, Paint 3D, Movies & TV, People, Windows Camera and more. All the files related to these Store applications are installed in the WindowsApp folder. WindowsApp folder location is “C:\Program Files” folder and restricted to access by default.

@athman8 , I know but since I am uninstalling some of them, I want to see my progress inside this folder

Came

Bree said:

TreeSize Free is perfect for that. You can see inside without any of the risks involved in changing ownership or permissions. TrustedInstaller is the owner and there are special permissions - it's best to leave it that way

Thanks @Bree downloading TreeSize

Came