How to access download folder/file explorer on Series X?

I managed to figure out a way to do it involving an app off the app store. I downloaded Files&Folders, went to personalization in its side menu, and enabled the Pictures folder. Was able to delete it that way. Still would be nice to be able to do so within
the system itself, rather than a 3rd party app.

I think that they removed the file explorer and the download feature because some people were using such features to mod or see files that they’re not supposed to see or access.

This was not possible. The “lite” version of the file explorer you could see on the xbox had limited access by intention. The file explorer is 1:1 the same as the Mobile file explorer and it allows you access to external drives and your user’s folder (Downloads, Pictures, Videos, “3D Objects”, Documents, etc).

It giver nor administrative privileges nor access to MainOS or Data. The values for this live in the registry and could be changed but it’s unlikely you can ever change the registry on an xbox. People have done it on the Lumia devices and it can give you C: or “This PC” access but not with administrative privileges.

Go to the drive the game is on, go to view and show hidden files

WindowsApps folder will be locked

You need to take ownership of the folder by following these instructions to access it

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/take-ownership-folder-windows-10-using-file-explorer

You will find the data for the game inside, delete it and it should download properly when you restart it in the Xbox app.

Xbox series x i had local folder files

The File Explorer app on XBox comes preinstalled and isn't updated through the store. It wasn't removed from the store; it was never there in the first place.*

I don't know of any supported way to uninstall it. If anyone has any idea of how it got disappeared, I'd very interested.

Meanwhile, if you find it missing, could you try this and let me know how it works?

- Start Edge

- Open the ... menu and open Settings

- On the General page, Scroll down to Downloads and hit the Change button

This should open the File Picker app in folder picker mode, in which File Explorer ought to be hosted. You should be able to browse folders in This Device, create a new folder under Downloads, etc.

I'd love to know if this works even if you don't see File Explorer under All Apps - it'd help us figure out what might be going on.

Thanks,

Jesper

* Source: I work at Microsoft and my team maintains File Explorer and File Picker on Xbox.