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How do I fix file permissions for C:\Program Files\WindowsApps? I changed the permissions so I could change something for an app.

Anonymous
2022-11-04T14:29:26+00:00

So like the question says I changed the file perms for C:\Program Files\WindowsApps so I could add something for an app. I was trying to add a folder and then a file inside that new folder (which is supposed to be named Formats). I was trying to add this for a compressed folder extractor so that I could open, view, and extract from a certain type of compressed folder files. I was trying to add it normally but administrators only had read perms so I changed it for just that one so I could add what I needed. When I tried to change it back it was giving me an access denied since the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps has administrators with read-only perms. This is a 64-bit operating system. Trusted Installer has full permissions on the folder so I think the trusted installer is supposed to have full access and be the owner. However, I'm not 100% sure here so I just wanted to ask and see how to undo this. I'm gonna keep administrators with full file access for the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder. So that way when I need to do something like what I was trying to do again I can and don't repeat this and have to deal with going through this whole troubleshooting process all over again when I need to do a similar thing again. The user account that I use by default is an admin one. I have this way because it was getting really old and annoying having to enter an admin pin/password with how I do stuff that involves using admin rights. This account also has full access to the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder so I will try removing it and see if that fixes anything. I have the owner of the folder set to system, and the only change I made to the perms was adding my user account so I could do what I needed without having to change ownership while I figured it out. I'm usually very very good at tech stuff. Anyways I will keep the ownership of the folder to the system and keep administrators with full access just in case I need to do something with the files, folders, and subfolders there. I will remove my user account from having full access I will try and do that, and update if that fixes it.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-11-05T02:31:06+00:00

    Hello JamesonPerry,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    Thank you for your question, I appreciate thoughtful users like you.

    Usually, if you want to have full access to the WindowsApps folder, you should give EVERYONE permission to this fileware folder, instead of reserving the ownership of the folder to the system.

    You can refer to the following steps.

    Right-click the WindowsApps folder > select "Properties" > switch the "Security" tab > click the "Advanced" button > click "change" > select the "Advanced" button on the User Name and Group screen > select "Find Now" > find "everyone" and double-click it > ok > Apply > Ok

    After the above operation is completed, other accounts will be able to access this folder.

    WindowsApps folder, this is the folder where most of the self-contained applications are stored, in general Microsoft does not recommend users to change the operating permissions of this folder, if not done properly may lead to a series of problems such as applications flashing or unusable.

    If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

    Best Regards,

    Lenka-MSFT| Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-11-07T09:47:49+00:00

    Hello JamesonPerry,

    Are you still experiencing this issue? Please let me know if there is any progress.

    Best Regards,

    Lenka | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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