Quick answer: WindowsApps is a hidden, protected folder at C:\Program Files\WindowsApps where Microsoft Store apps are installed. To look inside one app’s folder, run Get-AppxPackage *name* | Select Name, InstallLocation in PowerShell and paste the path into File Explorer. To open the whole folder you must take ownership in Properties > Security > Advanced, which works but can break Store apps, so give ownership back to TrustedInstaller when you’re done.
Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10. Taking ownership needs an administrator account.
In this guide
What the WindowsApps folder is
Every app you install from the Microsoft Store, and many built-in apps such as Photos, Calculator and the Store itself, lives in its own subfolder of WindowsApps. Windows locks the folder down so that apps can’t be tampered with: it’s owned by TrustedInstaller, and even administrators can’t list its contents by default. That’s why double-clicking it shows You don’t currently have permission to access this folder.
If you’ve set new apps to install on another drive in Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved, that drive has its own WindowsApps folder too.
Find and show the folder
- Open File Explorer and go to
C:\Program Files. - Windows 11: select View > Show > Hidden items. Windows 10: open the View tab and tick Hidden items.
- The WindowsApps folder now appears, slightly faded because it’s hidden.
Double-clicking it shows a permission prompt. Selecting Continue usually ends in an access denied message, because your account isn’t the owner. Use one of the methods below instead.
Open one app’s folder without changing permissions
Most of the time you only need one app’s files, for example to find its executable or a bundled font. You can often open a single app’s subfolder directly even though the parent folder is locked:
- Find the app’s full folder name with the PowerShell command in the next section, or note it from an error message.
- Click the File Explorer address bar, paste the full path, such as
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_(version)_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe, and press Enter.
The version numbers in the folder name change with every app update, so copy the exact path from PowerShell rather than typing it. Some app folders are still restricted; if you’re refused, use the ownership method below.
List installed apps and their folders with PowerShell
Right-click Start, choose Terminal or Windows PowerShell, and run:
Get-AppxPackage | Select-Object Name, InstallLocationTo find one app, filter by part of its name, for example:
Get-AppxPackage *Calculator* | Select-Object Name, InstallLocationThis doesn’t need administrator rights and changes nothing. It’s also the safest way to see how much is installed before you go hunting through the folder.
Take ownership to open the whole folder
Read this first: changing the owner or permissions of WindowsApps is a common cause of Store apps that won’t open or update, and errors like 0x80073d02. Only do it if you really need to browse the whole folder, and undo it afterwards.
- Right-click WindowsApps and choose Properties.
- Open the Security tab and select Advanced. Approve the UAC prompt if asked.
- Next to Owner: TrustedInstaller, select Change.
- Type your account name, select Check Names, then OK. Leave Replace owner on subcontainers and objects unticked: you only need to own the top folder.
- Select Apply and OK, close Properties, and double-click WindowsApps. When asked, select Continue to add access for your account.
The same ownership steps apply to other locked folders; see you don’t currently have permission to access this folder for more detail.
Give ownership back to TrustedInstaller
When you’re done, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
icacls "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /setowner "NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller"Then, in Properties > Security > Advanced, remove the entry your account was given. If Store apps misbehave afterwards, reset or reinstall the affected app from Settings > Apps > Installed apps, and if the Store itself has gone, see Microsoft Store missing in Windows.
Related guides
- You don’t currently have permission to access this folder
- Microsoft Store missing in Windows: how to get it back
- Error 0x80073d02 in the Microsoft Store
- System Volume Information access denied
Official sources:
Frequently asked questions
Can I delete the WindowsApps folder to save space?
No. Deleting it breaks every Store app, including built-in ones. To free space, uninstall apps you don’t use from Settings > Apps > Installed apps or move them to another drive there.
Why is WindowsApps so large?
It holds every Store app and game plus their updates. Games from the Xbox app are often the biggest. Check Settings > System > Storage to see which apps use the most space.
Is it safe to take ownership of WindowsApps?
It’s reversible, but it can stop Store apps opening or updating. Prefer the PowerShell method for looking at one app, and give ownership back to TrustedInstaller when you finish.
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