How does the xbox microsoft store hold files?

That's how it is for various platforms. Also, Microsoft currency is just a currency recognized in Microsoft store and does not hold any value outside of it. I believe, enabling transfer of Microsoft credit to PayPal may result in various frauds, or illegal
online market.

Hello, how are you? My name is Mateus. I'm an Independent Advisor and I'll be glad to help you today.

First, welcome to the Xbox community. Unfortunately, there is no function like this, because the files that are downloaded by the Microsoft Store and Xbox application are different from steam, files downloaded by Microsoft Store and Xbox application are encrypted which prevents this recognition of files.

*Thank you in advance for contacting, I hope this can help you.

I'm Samy an independent advisor. Welcome to the Xbox community. How are you?

What you are trying to do is not going to work. Microsoft Store app files are encrypted. Unfortunately, you will have to reinstall the game using the Microsoft Store.

EDIT: Solved

Thank you Mateus, really appreciate you taking the time to help me here.

Although the methods you provided did not help me, it actually guided me to really understand how Windows structure its files and folders.

The methods above does help with someone who removed the Windowsapp folder alongside other files/folders within the same OS Drive installed. As it actually tried to recover the Microsoft Store and other essential files.

However in my case, it does not help me as the system "only" sees the drive where OS is installed and thus shows me everything is working (this also includes system restore). Any other partition/drive is not affected by this. I needed the re-creation of the folders on a different partition, and xbox app cannot re-create it on its own.

I just figured out that Xbox app is not a "standalone" app, and cannot function without the use of Microsoft Store. I always wondered what was the difference between downloading games from Xbox app PC vs using Microsoft Store.

I "think" I got my answer. Xbox is like a categorized shelf of games inside Microsoft Store, and seeing its part of Microsoft store, it cannot create folders/files or re-structure anything.

A good example of this would be, using Steam platform to download a game, and that game has its own store (dlcs etc..), when I physically delete the store folder within that game, the game itself cannot re-create it, and needs steam to "verify" the files to fix it.

And that's how microsoft store comes into play to re-create my folders and not the xbox app itself.

Here's the FIX for anyone in the same boat as me.

1. Open Settings ---> System
   
2. On the left column, choose the Storage tab then choose "Change where new content is saved"
   
3. Change "New apps will save to:" to whatever drive you want (in my case, D Drive)
   
4. Wait 2mins, then restart PC.
   
5. Microsoft Store has now created the required folders for Xbox app to use.
   
6. Repeat steps 1 to 3 to change your location back to default if you wish
   
7. Now you can download your games from xbox app to your desired drive/partition
   

Using this method, I had Microsoft Store to take hold and create the folders.

I just wish this was explained with using Xbox app, or at least have xbox app the permission to do it on its own.

I'm Samy an independent advisor. Welcome to the Xbox community. How are you?

Microsoft Store installation files are located in the WindowsApps folder on your hard drive, you will need to take ownership of the folder to enter and delete the files.