can't save or download file from program, even i granted everyone permission

Question

so i was playing a game, and for some reasons it doesn't save when i open it in steam but save when i open as admin in folder.i thought if i granted permission to drive folder it will works. it doesn't.

what's worse is my another game suddenly goes wrong after i change permission. it's a gacha game that required cache but suddenly it won't recognize the update i downloaded before. if i try to download it again, it will download but won't save the files. i reinstall the system and the problem still exist.

i can download file from internet, but for some reasons it doesn't work when it's the game downloading it.

so now i can't play the game because the cache can't be download. what should i do now? if i have to change the permission, how exactly should i do? will it mess everything up again if i give full access to everyone?

Answer 1

Hi 钻狗 电,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I understand how frustrating it is when games suddenly stop saving files, especially after permission changes. This usually happens when Windows blocks the game from writing to its folders. Below are the steps you can try:

1 - Check Controlled Folder Access

• Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Ransomware protection
• Check Controlled folder access > Allow an app > Add:
  • Steam. exe
  • The .exe of your games

2 - Confirm the game folder is not Read‑only

• Right‑click the folder where the game stores save files or cache
• Choose Properties > make sure the Read‑only box is unchecked.

3 - Restore folder permissions back to default

• Right‑click the game folder > Properties > Security > Advanced
• Choose Restore defaults if available.
• Make sure SYSTEM and Administrators are present.
• Avoid giving Everyone: Full Control, as this causes more issues.

Some games cannot write to Program Files or WindowsApps unless run as Administrator. You can try to change the install location to a simple folder (for example, D:\Games). Also, if you're using cloud saving service, consider temporarily turning them off to see if it helps.

If the issue persists, you can share the screenshot of folder's permission window here. Remember to hide any personal information!

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Answer 2

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with file permissions and saving game data on your Windows system. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check File System Permissions: Ensure that the folders where the games are trying to save data have the correct permissions. You can do this by:
   • Right-clicking the folder (e.g., the game installation folder) and selecting Properties.
   • Going to the Security tab and checking if the All Application Packages group has the necessary permissions (Read, Write, Modify).
   • If not, you may need to add this group and grant it the appropriate permissions.
2. Avoid Granting Full Access to Everyone: Granting full access to everyone can lead to security vulnerabilities and may cause more issues. Instead, focus on providing the necessary permissions to specific groups like All Application Packages or the user account running the game.
3. Use Group Policy: If you're in a managed environment, check if Group Policy is affecting permissions. You may need to consult with your system administrator to ensure that the necessary permissions are set correctly.
4. Revert Changes: If changing permissions caused issues with other games, consider reverting those changes. You can do this by restoring the default permissions for the affected folders. This may involve using the Advanced Security Settings to reset permissions to their defaults.
5. Check for Virtualization Issues: If the game is trying to write to a location where it doesn't have permission, Windows may redirect those writes to a virtual store. This can cause confusion if you're expecting files to be saved in a specific location. Ensure that the game is configured to save files in a directory where it has write access.
6. Reinstall the Game: If issues persist, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the game. This can sometimes resolve underlying issues related to file permissions and corrupted files.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to look into specific error messages or logs generated by the games for further troubleshooting.

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References:

• Microsoft Store Apps fail to start if default registry or file permissions modified
• Gaming with Least-Privileged User Accounts