Windows keeps creating folders from Xbox App

Miss. Silver · May 9, 2024

Hello Microsoft Team,

I used to install my Xbox games in my D:\ drive.

Now I reinstalled my games in my C:\ drive and want to use my D:\ drive as

a simple data storage. Unfortunately, Windows keeps creating two folders on that drive:

"D:\program files" and "D:\xboxGames". I checked the app settings within Windows and I can

not find any case why it keep doing this. I can delete the folders, but Windows recreate them after restart/shutdown.

PS D:\> tree

Folder PATH listing for volume DATA

Volume serial number is ----:----

D:.

├───Program Files

│ └───ModifiableWindowsApps

└───XboxGames

PS D:\>

All my Microsoft store, Xbox App option - Game installation option assign to drive is C:

xbox

Any ideas how to avoid that?

:)

SwordofWhedon

because those are the default folders if you want to have Xbox games on your system. these are folders the games are looking for and will be created if you want to have Xbox games on this drive

If you click change folder, you can assign a new one

kyle_m4496

Hi ArneDH001. My name is Kyle and I'm an independent advisor.

The folder created for Xbox Games and Windows Apps is specific to your Windows installation. So if you reinstall Windows, I'm afraid you need to delete the folders from the secondary drive, or format the drive entirely.

Thanks,
Kyle

Farscape247

most if not all windows/xbox app games install to windowsapp folder, this is encrypted, if you took ownership or messed with the files then you have broken the encryption and will need to delete the folders and redownload the game. you can't just move windows games into different folders, you can move them to another drive via the apps and programs menu but they have to reside in the windows app folder that is created by the system.

Farscape247

resetting windows or re installing renders all xbox app games inoperable as the folder is encrypted to that one install of windows.

you have to re download all the xbox app games again.

go setting, storage, location and change it to that drive this should then state there is a folder there and it will be removed.

if not google remove windows app folder from drive as you have to take ownership to remove it.

Obsessive Power

In this example, the external drive is D:\

Nearly all Windows Apps and games are installed to a protected and encrypted folder called WindowsApps.

If you've taken your D:\ drive from either another PC or you have installed Windows 10 again from scratch, your previous WindowsApps folder will no longer be accessible and Windows 10 will not be able to access or install Windows Store Apps and games to this drive. To use this drive for Windows Store games and apps, it will need to be deleted.

Please follow this guide to help you delete your current WindowsApps folder. Once done you will also need to the delete two additional folders called 'WpSystem' and 'WUDownloadCache'. These folders are not protected so should easily be removed.

Once your old folder is deleted you should be able to change the drive Apps are installed to in Windows 10 to the D: drive. Doing this will create a new WindowsApps folder on your drive.

Please let us know how you get on.

Windows keeps creating folders from Xbox App