Where Are Microsoft Store Apps Installed?
Where Microsoft Store apps install under WindowsApps, why the folder denies access, and how to list exact paths.
Last updated
Microsoft Store and modern inbox apps install per package under C:\Program Files\WindowsApps, each in a versioned folder named with publisher ID and architecture. The tree is owned by TrustedInstaller and locked against casual browsing, which surprises everyone once.
Packages are read-only installs; user data redirects to AppData and registry hives instead. Uninstalling removes the package folder plus captured writes. PowerShell remains the reliable way to query exact locations across versions and drives.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps
Protected per-package install root with versioned subfolders. Hidden by default and owned by TrustedInstaller, so admin rights or ownership changes are needed to browse. Per-user and multi-drive installs add sibling roots elsewhere. Never hand-edit inside; use PowerShell cmdlets.
Frequently asked questions
how do I find a Store app install path
Open an admin PowerShell and run Get-AppxPackage with the app name to print its InstallLocation. Dir against the WindowsApps path works too once permissions allow. Each versioned subfolder name carries publisher ID and architecture.
how do I open the WindowsApps folder
Take ownership or grant your account rights through the Security tab, since TrustedInstaller owns it by default. Read-only peeking is safer than changing ownership system-wide. Re-register packages with their AppxManifest rather than moving folders by hand.
can Store apps install elsewhere
Yes. Settings lets you move the install location per drive, creating WindowsApps roots on other volumes. Per-user installs can also scatter versioned folders. The default C: path covers the common single-drive case.
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