information   Information
Starting with Windows 10 build 17063, you can now allow or deny Windows 10 and apps access to the documents library on your device (PC) for all users.

If you allow access, users on your PC will be able to turn on or off if their apps have documents library access. If you turn on to allow apps access to your documents library, you can choose to turn on (allow) or off (deny) access for individual apps.

This tutorial will show you how to change Privacy settings to allow or deny Windows and apps access to the documents library for all users or only your account in Windows 10.
Note   Note
Starting with Windows 10 build 17083, Microsoft is giving you more control so you can now decide which UWP apps can access your pictures, videos, or documents folders. If a UWP app needs access to any of these, a consent dialog will pop up prompting you to accept or deny the request. If you deny access to a particular folder, to protect your privacy that UWP app will revert to only being able to access its local app folder.

CONTENTS:
  • Option One: Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Documents Library for All Users in Settings
  • Option Two: Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Documents Library for All Users using a REG file
  • Option Three: Turn On or Off Allow Apps Access to Your Documents Library in Settings
  • Option Four: Turn On or Off Allow Apps Access to Your Documents Library using a REG file
  • Option Five: Turn On or Off Allow Specific Apps Access to Your Documents Library in Settings





OPTION ONE

Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Documents Library for All Users in Settings


Note   Note
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Privacy icon.

2. Click/tap on Documents on the left side, click/tap on the Change button on the right side, and turn On (default) or Off Documents library access for this device for what you want. (see screenshots below)

Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Documents Library in Windows 10-documents_library_access_for_device-1.jpg Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Documents Library in Windows 10-documents_library_access_for_device-2.jpg






OPTION TWO

Allow or Deny Windows and Apps Access to Documents Library for All Users using a REG file


Note   Note
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

The downloadable .reg files below will modify the string value in the registry key below.

Code:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\documentsLibrary

Value string value

Deny = Off
Allow = On

1. Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Turn On Allow Windows and Apps Access to Documents Library for All Users

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Turn_ON_Windows_and_apps_access_to_Documents_library_for_device.reg

Download


 3. To Turn Off Allow Windows and Apps Access to Documents Library for All Users

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Turn_OFF_Windows_and_apps_access_to_Documents_library_for_device.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.






OPTION THREE

Turn On or Off Allow Apps Access to Your Documents Library in Settings


Note   Note
The setting in this option will be grayed out unless Documents library access for this device is turned on from Option One or Option Two above.

1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Privacy icon.

2. Click/tap on Documents on the left side, turn On (default) or Off Allow apps to access your documents library on the right side for what you want. (see screenshots below)

Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Documents Library in Windows 10-documents_library_access_for_apps-1.jpg Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Documents Library in Windows 10-documents_library_access_for_apps-2.jpg






OPTION FOUR

Turn On or Off Allow Apps Access to Your Documents Library using a REG file


Note   Note
This option will not get applied until Documents library access for this device is turned on from Option One or Option Two above.

The downloadable .reg files below will modify the string value in the registry key below.

Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\documentsLibrary

Value string value

Deny = Off
Allow = On

1. Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Turn On Allow Apps Access to Your Documents Library

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Turn_ON_apps_access_to_Documents_library_for_current_account.reg

Download


 3. To Turn Off Allow Apps Access to Your Documents Library

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Turn_OFF_apps_access_to_Documents_library_for_current_account.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.






OPTION FIVE

Turn On or Off Allow Specific Apps Access to Your Documents Library in Settings


Note   Note
The settings in this option will be grayed out unless Allow apps to access your documents library is turned on from Option Three or Option Four above.

The settings for this option are stored in the subkeys in the registry key below. Each subkey represents a listed app.

Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\documentsLibrary
Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Documents Library in Windows 10-choose_which_apps_can_access_your_documents_library_registry.jpg

1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Privacy icon.

2. Click/tap on Documents on the left side, turn On or Off apps you want under Choose which apps can access your documents library on the right side. (see screenshot below)
Note   Note
Note that each legacy app will not appear individually in the list like Store apps do, but they will respect the toggle.

Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Documents Library in Windows 10-documents_library_access_for_specific_apps.jpg


That's it,
Shawn