We couldn't create the data directory

Question

Hi guys, I don't know where to ask this question. I'm on Windows 10 Pro 64 bit. I been plague with a few issue with Windows that I tried to fix to no avail. Recently I download Microsoft PC Manager hoping to fix it. However, I ran to the same problem I think. After installed the Manager from Windows store, I ran into an error: Microsoft Edge can't read and write to its data directory: C://Users/Pc/Appdata/Local/PC Manager Store/webview2/EBWebView.

I tried to look and couldn't find PC Manager Store folder (I have already have hidden file turned off so I can see everything.) I think I have has this issue for sometimes as in the past Steam couldn't created folder there as well. I have to manually start Steam as admin. which also make Steam stop starting with Windows.

Answer 1

Hi Dustin Walker,

Thank you for sharing the screenshots and details.

The error you’re encountering indicates that Microsoft PC Manager is unable to create or access its required data folder under your user profile. This folder is used by Microsoft Edge WebView2, which PC Manager depends on to run properly. When Windows cannot read or write to this location, the app may fail to start or display an error.

The behavior you described with Steam (only working when run as administrator) further suggests a permission or profile-related issue affecting folders under AppData\Local.

Here are some possible solutions that you can try in this situation:

Option 1: Manually recreate the missing folder

• Open File Explorer
• Go to C:\Users\PC\AppData\Local
• Create the following folders manually: PC Manager Store\WebView2\EBWebView
• Right‑click PC Manager Store > Properties > Security
• Ensure your user account has Full control, then apply changes
• Restart Windows and relaunch Microsoft PC Manager

Option 2: Repair Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

• Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl
• Locate Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime
• Select Change > Repair
• Restart the device and try PC Manager again

Option 3: Check ransomware protection settings

• Open Windows Security
• Go to Virus & threat protection > Ransomware protection
• If Controlled folder access is enabled, allow:
  • msedgewebview2.exe
  • MSPCManager.exe
• Restart and test again

Option 4: Test with a new user account

• Create a new local Windows user
• Sign in to that account
• Install and open Microsoft PC Manager - If it works there, the issue is isolated to the original user profile

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

The error indicates that the WebView2-based component of Microsoft PC Manager (which uses Microsoft Edge) cannot create or write to its user data folder under:

C:\Users\PC\AppData\Local\PC Manager Store\webview2\EBWebView

WebView2 requires a writable user data folder (UDF). If the folder path is missing or not writable (for example, due to permissions, redirection, or being on a non‑writable location), the WebView2 control fails to start and the app shows this error.

From the WebView2 guidance:

• The default user data folder location must be a directory where the app has Write access.
• On Win32 and .NET desktop apps, the default UDF is created next to the app executable, but apps can (and often do) specify a custom UDF path.
• If the chosen location is not writable, a custom, writable UDF location should be used instead.

In this scenario, Microsoft PC Manager is configured to use a custom WebView2 data directory under the user profile (AppData\\Local). If Windows or security settings prevent creation or writing in that path, WebView2 cannot initialize.

To resolve the issue in general terms:

1. Ensure that the C:\Users\PC\AppData\Local path is on a local, writable drive and has normal NTFS permissions for the user account.
2. Avoid moving or redirecting core profile locations such as Users or ProgramData to unsupported locations, because Microsoft Store apps and components (including WebView2) are not supported when these directories are relocated.
3. If an app allows configuration of its WebView2 user data folder, configure it to use a known-writable location under the user profile (for example, under AppData\\Local or another per‑user folder) and ensure that folder exists and is writable.

If the underlying cause is a nonstandard or redirected user profile or ProgramData location, restoring these to supported local paths is required for Microsoft Store apps and WebView2-based components to work reliably.

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References:

• Manage user data folders
• Microsoft Store Apps fail to start if the user profiles or the ProgramData directory are moved from their default location