How to open files in WindowsApps folder (Xbox App beta)

GuavamanX · Sep 22, 2019

I'm trying to run a game downloaded with the Xbox App (beta) on Windows 10. This game keeps crashing on startup. The game is written with an older version of Unity and saves a log file into the application install directory. This file, output_log.txt, is
in the application install directory inside the WindowsApps directory. I can gain access to the protected WindowsApps directory by changing the security settings and taking ownership of it and setting it to apply to all objects within the directory, but I
still cannot open the output_log.txt file. I have tried everything and the system simply will not allow me to change permissions on this file to read it. There is absolutely no way for me to know why this game is crashing because I cannot gain access to its
log file to get more information about the crash. (The game developers tell people to look at the log file to determine what's going on with the crash -- I can't do that because of these over-the-top security restrictions preventing me from even reading files
on my own hard disk. That's malware by any definition.)

:)

Ackis

When you took ownership, did you apply it to sub folders/directories?

Vega8

I have the same problems, but moreso I'm just trying to add Wolfenstein II as a Non-Steam game. I can't do that because the permissions of the files inside of the WindowsApp locks me out and there are zero options to modify permissions.

I am literally the Administrator of my own computer. I have to grant permission to myself to get read access to WindowsApp, and yes, with the
sub folders and directories too. Ah, but of course, the files inside are behind a tighter wall.. these files (such as log files) are actually important to the user, we need to be able to access them. We shouldn't be locked out of this, that's actually
bad.

Villaman68

I resolved issue by moving my WindowsApps folder inside another temp folder, then installed MSFS to the same drive where it made another WindowsApps folder which competed the installation, I then just moved the original files from the temp Apps folder back
to the new one. Sounds simple, but I had a lot faffing about to do as moving the windowsapps folder had files inside being used by other programs like the xbox beta app and not having permissions for files and folders, a google search helped in fixing those
issues which was simple in the end.

Only other way of doing it is a clean install of windows i'm afraid

Forgot to mention, have you changed the default location of windows store apps? as choosing my drive and clicking install did absolutely nothing untill I change default apps location

Hope this helps you get up in the air.

Rostom L

Hi Benjamin!

Your other games must have been installed to WindowsApps folder. You may show all your hidden folders/files to check it.

Open your Xbox app then go to its Settings > General. Check which drive/folder your games are being installed.

Christopher Revoredo

All Windows Apps including games are installed to a hidden protected folder called WindowsApps. The WindowsApps folder on the C: drive will be located in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. On other drives on the PC it will be in the root directory of the drive, so for D:\ it will be D:\WindowsApps

To use your D:\ drive again you'll need to take control of this hidden folder on your D:\ drive, and delete it.Take a look at this guide.

Remember however, that in your case you need to take permission of the WindowsApps folder on D:\ drive, there is no need to change anything on the WindowsApps folder on C:\ drive. Everything else in the guide is the same

https://www.intowindows.com/how-to-access-windo...

NOTE: This is a third party link that is not Microsoft's property, so you might encounter advertising on the website.

How to open files in WindowsApps folder (Xbox App beta)