Xbox pc app refuses to install games into specified folder, goes into WindowsApps instead.

Criptaike · Mar 18, 2023

So yeah don't know how that happened, was fine before, last game I played was somerville and it installed in the folder I said but couple months later, want to try some hi-fi rush and atomic heart, says it will be installed on the folder I said, but installs it in the windowsapps folder instead without no apparent reason. Also in the manage tab of the games I don't see the "verify game files" or the "move game files" options anymore, just disappeared I guess. Tried a bunch of things but I don't see anyone having my exact issue on the internet so I'm out of solutions.

Here is a gif for example: spCMnfW.gif (1920×1050) (imgur.com)

(I have confirmation that the files goes into the windowsapps folder instead)

:)

Criptaike

1. "last game I played was somerville and it installed in the folder I said but couple months later, want to try some hi-fi rush and atomic heart, says it will be installed on the folder I said, but installs it in the windowsapps folder instead"

2. Tried the insider app, didn't changed anything, reverted back.

3. Every game.

4. I have zero third-party app that does that.

5. Windows 10 Pro, 22H2, 19045.2604

5.1. Already provided with gif.

Edit: Tested with my friend, he has the same problem as me. Seems like a more bigger problem than I realized

Kathy A.

Hello Criptaike,

Welcome to Xbox Community Forum. Thank you for sharing your concern with us today and we hope that all is well.

We understand that you are trying to keep your Xbox Games on specific folder and is unable to because the games were added on different location you did not set. Let us check on this together so you will get back to gaming.

To have a better understanding, we would like to further isolate your concern.

Can you still recall when didd this issue specifically happened?
Are you part of Xbox Insider or PC Insider or Beta user of games?
Will this installation issue occur on other Xbox games?
Do you have antivirus, antimalware, VPN, firewall, proxy and PC Optimizer installed in your PC?
May we ask for the Windows version and edition of your computer or laptop? Please type WINVER into the Windows search bar and hit Enter.
- On the Xbox app, kindly go to Settings > General and see the under Game Install options about the defaults. Please take a screenshot and conceal any personal information (like complete name, gamertag, and PC Name.)

So far, from the details you provided, you can try the following steps and let us know the result. You can just skip those you have done already.

Please follow the steps under Installation from this link: Troubleshoot issues with the Xbox app for Windows | Xbox Support

Let us know the result and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We may recommend further troubleshooting steps once we have received your answers to the above questions.

Sincerely,

Xbox Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community

Criptaike

If something works, I will gladly say that it worked, but so far nothing worked. I was expecting this but it's still disappointing.

This is the same issue

Xbox app installs games in WindowsApps folder, not the folder I have - Microsoft Community

Kathy A.

Hi Criptaike,

Thanks for letting me know my prior solution didn’t fix the issue. I do have some further strategies to try:

Clear the store cache by typing “wsreset” in the Windows search bar. Run this as admin and wait for the screen to close and open the store automatically.
Please go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Select the apps that needs fixing (Microsoft Store and Xbox app). Select the Advanced options link under the name of the Microsoft Store. On the page that opens, select Repair if it's available. If it isn't available, select Reset. Do the same thing with Xbox app.
Run system scans - Run a full system scan. This will check and restore corrupted system files.

In Windows search bar, search for Command Prompt and Run as Administrator.

Copy the command below one line at a time and paste it on Command Prompt:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

SFC /scannow

Please give those a shot and let me know if they work for you! If they don’t, a couple things that might help me figure this out are:

Do you have issues installing games or apps from Microsoft Store too?

Is this computer a personal or customized?

Regards,

Kathy A.

Hello Criptaike,

Thanks for the update.

It could be that the reason it was redirected to a different folder is because the settings in your PC for new contents was change back to the default folder or a different one. Try to check the settings here, restart and check if this location changed then try to reinstall games again. Since this is installation issue, you may try the suggestions here: Troubleshoot issues with the Xbox App for Windows before you proceed to the steps below.

Go to PC Settings and select System.
At the left side, please select Storage and scroll down on the options on the right side.
Look for Change where new content is saved. This will take you to a selection of drive and on the Change the New apps will save to - please select Drive D.
Launch Xbox app and go to settings.
Look for general and under Game Install Option, please select Drive D.

Update us on how it went.

Regards,

Xbox pc app refuses to install games into specified folder, goes into WindowsApps instead.