Windows 10: Microsoft store apps stopped working after accessing WindowsApps folder, now it says "We...

A month ago I accessed the WindowsApps folder and changed some permissions while trying to make my laptop run faster, which unfortunately stopped every single Microsoft store app from working, from Photos and Spotify to Minecraft. Which I didn't use that much anyway so I just kept it and figured it might fix itself in an update. But after a recent update it only got worse, and now I think something's irreparably broken or corrupted with my system because I can't even sign in to my Windows 10 account, it signs me into a temporary account.Safe mode didn't help. I've reinstalled Windows 10 before

:)

 

Stopping Windows Store apps being blocked by Controlled Folder Access

I have a couple of Windows Store apps that Controlled Folder Access blocks. When I try to include them in the list of apps that CFA doesn't block, I find that the folder \Program Files\WindowsApps is inaccessible, and the process of gaining access seems
completely opaque. I get through to the "Advanced Security Settings for WindowsApps" window, and the principal that seems relevant is "Administrators (<computer name>\Administrators)". However there doesn't seem to be any way of editing this item; the only
button that isn't greyed out is "View".

I can't imagine that it should be so difficult to tell CFA to allow Windows Store apps to access protected folders. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to deal with this problem?

 

windowsapp folder access in windows 10

I am trying to list the windowsapp folder to give access to a program stored there so that it will be the default program for the .vob extension

 

WindowsApp folder hidden and no admin rights

Hi MichaelRuth1

The WindowsApps folder is in your C:\Program Files folder, the WindowsApps folder is the most protected folder on a Windows 10 PC, it contains all Apps and games from the Microsoft Store and it is protected to ensure the integrity of those Apps and Games

Changing permissions to access that folder, generally corrupts Windows and all Apps will stop working . . .

The apps stored in that folder will not slow your PC down, unless those are running in the background of Windows 10, which you can check using the steps below

Turn off all unnecessary Background Apps

Open the Settings App

Go to Privacy - Background Apps

Turn off any App you do not need running in the background

Restart your PC