WindowsApps folder permission

Question

I have a WindowsApps folder taking up a LOT of space on my E:\ external hard drive, I'm fairly certain that the data is not being used by either my laptop or desktop windows OS's as this drive is only used for storing media. Currently I cannot access or delete or otherwise modify the folder. I would like to remove or at least view the folder but cannot as only 'trustedinstaller' has permission. I cannot change the user security options or change anything. How can I view the contents of this folder? I only get an access denied every time I try.

PS -  the hard drive is second hand, the windowsapps folder IS NOT a part of my windows set up which is why I can't change security settings and decided to ask a new question.

Answer 1

Hello, how are you?

Welcome to the Microsoft community!

My name is Paloma B., I'm an independent advisor, I'm here to help you in the best possible way.

I understand that you are trying to access the WindowsApps folder and do not have permission to open it.

1. To gain access to the WindowsApps folder, right-click and click Properties to open the Windows Properties dialog box.
2. Switch to the Security tab. On the Security tab, click the Advanced button. This will open the advanced security settings for the WindowsApps folder.
3. Click the Change link next to the owner. Click the Yes button when you see the User Account Control dialog box. If you are prompted to enter the password, enter the administrator account password to proceed.
4. You can now see the permissions for the WindowsApps folder. Since you want to access the folder, you need to change the current permissions. To do this, click on the Change link.
5. Clicking the Change link will open the Select User or Group dialog box. In the Enter the name of the object to be selected field, type administrators and click the Check Names button. Click the OK button.

Alternatively, if you are using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 10, in the “Enter the name of the object to be selected” field, enter your Microsoft email address and click the Check Names button. When you do this, Windows 10 will verify that the account exists on the computer and automatically show the actual Microsoft account username in the same field.

Click the OK button.

6. Finally, in the Advanced Security Settings window for WindowsApps, check the option Replace owner in subcontainers and objects.

In Permissions (see the image below), in the Access column, you should see Full Control.

Click the Apply button. Windows 10 will begin to change WindowsApps folder permissions now.

7. Double-click the WindowsApps folder and then click the Continue button when you see the confirmation dialog to open the WindowsApps folder.

I await news.

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Answer 2

Thank you very much for your contact, it was a pleasure to chat with you today.

I'm really sorry about that.

Whenever you need, contact us through this channel.

Please stay safe and have a great day!

Can I help you with anything else?

Answer 3

I think I managed to try something very similar to this suggestion, thanks to your reply I managed to change the ownership to myself by typing in 'users' into owners. Most of the security settings were either greyed out or not visible so I was a little confused at first.

Thank you for your help!

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