Windows 10: Unable to open notepad, terminal or anything else in the WindowsApps folder in C:

I deleted a few items in the 'username' folder in C drive and now I get this error message every time I boot. It says I have no permission to the WindowsApps folder. What shall I do? Any other way than doing a new install or system restore?

:)

 

Unable to Delete WindowsApps Folder

Hi. So I have a problem here with the WindowsApps folder. Long story short, I've bought Forza Horizon 5 which could already be played today. Since Microsoft Store default location is in C:/, I changed the directory to D:/ in Setting - Storage - Where the content is saved because I don't have enough space in C:/ Now here is the problem: The first time it successfully downloaded and I could played it normally. I decided to reboot my system because I need to update my graphics driver and BAM! Microsoft Store and XBOX app still listed it as installed but whenever I tried to play it now it says the game is missing. Ms Store recommends me to "repair" the game by redownloading it, but now it gives me error 0x80070003 which is "The system cannot find the path specified". Tried to find the solution everywhere but no avail, I decided to uninstall the game from the Ms Store, now listed as uninstalled, but the disk space isn't recovered. The WindowsApps folder in D:/ still has 110GB files in it, and whenever I tried to delete it Windows denied me. Now I know that this folder isn't owned by me so I decided to take ownership it. Done but I still can't delete the folder. Maybe I need more permission? So I decided to give myself full permission setting. Now here is the problem: Setting permission of the folder gives me the same error message as the first said that "The system cannot find the path specified". WTF??? Already tried other method such as running cmd as System using psexec, trying to delete the folder from Ubuntu, trying to compress them using WinRaR or WinZip but no avail at all. All of them either said Permission Denied or the System cannot find the path specified. How am I supposed to delete this folder then? The game already uninstalled, but I didn't get back my SSD space. Here are some of the screenshots of my useless effort:













My Windows is 20H2 19042.870

 

Permission for WindowsApps

I tried to open apps like terminal, notepad, lenevo vantage etc but I get an error message stating that the system cannot access the content inside the WindowsApps folder.

 

Unable to open Notepad or MS Paint

I have a desktop PC with Windows 10. I use both Notepad and MS Paint frequently and they both recently stopped opening. Clicking the taskbar shortcuts to open them doesn't cause them to open; the mouse switches to the "loading" throbber, but reverts back after about a second without opening any windows. The same thing occurs when I locate the *.exe files in the system32 folder. There is no error message or change in state to screenshot.

The following descriptions say "Notepad," but in each case I have tried the steps for both MS Paint and Notepad, and I'm looking for help with both. Based on suggestions from around the internet I have tried:

1. running notepad as an administrator (both from the taskbar shortcut and by locating notepad.exe in the file explorer).
   
2. resetting the cache for the Windows store (using "WSReset.exe") and then running notepad.
   
3. uninstalling and then reinstalling notepad via Settings>Apps and features>Optional features.
   
4. restarting computer
   
5. updating computer and then restarting
   
6. uninstalling notepad, restarting, reinstalling notepad.
   

Windows specifications from Settings>System>About are:

Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎1/‎16/‎2023
OS build 19045.2728
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0