Windows 10: Access to A Misplaced WindowsApps System Folder

After Win 10 Anniversary Update installed I experienced a continuous BSOD. When Dell tech support could not ascertain the cause, I was advised to reformat my C: partition and reinstall Windows. The initial re installation (by Dell) apparently failed to locate & install the correct driver for my network adapter, but that was not confirmed until after I was directed to do another reinstall of Windows. I did so via the reset option, located the updated adapter driver and every thing seemed OK -- until I discovered that a folder on my E: drive partition containing about 50 Word .dot Templates, titled "Global Templates" had somehow been moved into a newly created folder on the E: drive called "WindowsApps".

Following suggestions in a previous thread on this Form from a year ago, I was able to change the ownership of the Windows Apps folder itself, but the "Global Templates" sub-folder is still inaccessible. When I try to Open it, the dialogue box says it is "not accessible" and "Access is denied." When I attempt to Share the folder and add permissions, the message is "An error occurred while trying to share Group Templates. Bad Data. The shared resource was not created at this time."
When I go to the Security tab in Properties it says "The requested security information is either unavailable or can't be displayed."

There is also a WindowsApp folder in Programs on the C: Drive.

Does anyone have any explanation for how this alternate WindowsApp folder may have been created and, more importantly, if there is anyway to remove my Global Templates folder. Reconstructing 50 or so complicated Word templates is going to be a real downer.*Confused

:)

 

What is 'windows apps' hidden folder and why can't I access it?

For some reason my 'WindowsApps folder is on my D drive with all my data. I was accessing my 'User' folder & somehow managed to move it into 'WindowsApps' folder. (don't ask). I can see the 'Users' folder there but am denied access. Have tried accessing
the 'WindowsApps' folder as per 'Gain access to to the folder C:\Program Files\WindowsApps query, (with appropriate modification) but to no avail. Cmd prompt gives

'D:\WindowsApps\Users: Bad Data.

Successfully processed 1files; Failed processing 1 files.

All my data, photos & audio is in the 'User' folder so badly need access.

 

RETRIEVE FILES FROM WINDOWSAPP EXTERNAL DRIVE

Is the folder named windowsapp or windowsapps?

Try
taking ownership of it, copy your files out and get rid of the folder because it shouldn't be on your external hard drive without your permission.

To be on the safe side also scan your system and the drive for malware.

 

Hi, did you ever do this:
Apps Save Location - Change in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

No. The WindowsApp folder that should be in the /Windows/Programs folder is there where it should be on the C: drive. The issue relates to the fact that somehow during one of the Win 10 reinstallation procedures another "WindowsApps" folder was created on my E: partition and a preexisting folder named "Group Templates" (containing MS Word templates) was put into the new Windows App folder. I can't open, read or move that folder.

 

If you wish to extract a folder from that, the easiest way would be to boot your PC from a bootable disk / flash drive - e.g. one created from the post at the top of the Software and Apps section of the forum.

You should be able to access the folder independently of any permissions issues.

Now whether that means you will have usable data would then be the next question.

 

Thank you so much - Going to the Command Prompt from Shift-Restart-Troubleshooting also worked like a charm once I remembered how to use DOS from the good old days. Was able to recover all 400+ files.

 

Same happened to me. I discovered the"windowsapp" folder that unknowingly appeared on an external drive after I inadvertently moved a folder into it. I don't really even use any windows apps, but need the folder that was misplaced inside of it, permissions issues are preventing progress to do so. I have been at this since last evening, and am worried I have lost the files. Could you elaborate a little bit more on how to extract the folder from inside the "windowsapp" from the external drive? Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

If you're familiar with using the command prompt, you can use that method.

If not, then download and create a bootable disk as described above, boot your PC from that, and then access the files from the mini windows environment in the usual way (Explorer....)

 

Thank you for the reply. I wasn't sure if I should post to this thread, or perhaps ask the question in a different area? Right now I am very gun shy and worried about loosing the data. It's not clear to me what direction that bootable disk takes me as the bootable disk information seems related to installing or completely reinstalling windows. It's not clear what steps to take to just retrieve the folder. I am concerned I will trigger windows to automatically restore or replace "old" windows files with "new" window files, and the folder moved into it by accident gets deleted in the process, etc. Same with command prompt. Not sure if I should post to this thread or ask the question in a different area of this forum.

 

No. The bootable disk I directed you to at the top of the Software and apps section is NOT a Windows installation disk.
Your problem is simply unfamiliarity with the sort of tools used to deal with problems.

When you boot your system from it, a cut down version of Windows will run from the disk in RAM. You will be able to run programs from the disk, use explorer- but it is Windows from the DVD that is running not the Windows on your PC.

Your hard disk will only be affected if you perform operations that affect it using Windows.

If you prefer to copy information from yor hard disk without booting your PC from anything, then you will have to remove the hard disk, and connect it to another PC e.g. as a USB disk.

 

You are correct, I am unfamiliar with the tools (or the problem). I will download Win10586PESE_x86 ISO v160707 (New)
(Software and Apps forum > Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk) and try that. Thank you.