Summary: This article tells you how to reset the WindowsApps folder permissions (and ownership) to Windows default.
The WindowsApps folder under the Program Files folder stores the modern app packages. Each package folder under WindowsApps contains a manifest (named AppxManifest.xml) that contains a special XML namespace for packaged apps. When you reinstall built-in apps using PowerShell add-appxpackage
command-line, it uses the corresponding app’s package folder under WindowsApps.
The WindowsApps folder is not browsable in File Explorer by default. This is due to tight permissions assigned to the folder.
To access this folder, many users tend to take ownership of the folder and sub-folders. Some users also change the permissions for this folder and sub-folders arbitrarily, and later observe that some of the installed Store apps fail to work.
Program Files
) folder by default. Instead, this folder has very restricted permissions, including one or more conditional ACEs.
Restore the Default Permissions for WindowsApps
To reset the WindowsApps
folder permissions to Windows default, follow these steps:
Editor’s note: Before proceeding, it’s advisable to take a complete system image backup using Macrium Reflect Free, Acronis True Image, or any other backup tool. This is because if you inadvertently assign the wrong permissions to the WindowsApps folder, it might prevent you from installing and running Store apps.
(The following fix has been tested on Windows 10 versions 2004, 20H2, 21H1, and 21H2.)
Open an admin Command Prompt window, and run the following commands one by one:
Command #1
takeown /f "%programfiles%\WindowsApps"
You should see the following output:
SUCCESS: The file (or folder): "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" now owned by user "computer_name\user_name".
The above command is to take ownership of the WindowsApps
folder. This is required to apply the permissions (in the next step.)
Command #2
cacls "%programfiles%\WindowsApps" /s:"D:PAI(A;;FA;;;S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464)(A;OICIIO;GA;;;S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464)(A;;0x1200a9;;;S-1-15-3-1024-3635283841-2530182609-996808640-1887759898-3848208603-3313616867-983405619-2501854204)(A;OICIIO;GXGR;;;S-1-15-3-1024-3635283841-2530182609-996808640-1887759898-3848208603-3313616867-983405619-2501854204)(A;;FA;;;SY)(A;OICIIO;GA;;;SY)(A;CI;0x1200a9;;;BA)(A;OICI;0x1200a9;;;LS)(A;OICI;0x1200a9;;;NS)(A;OICI;0x1200a9;;;RC)(XA;;0x1200a9;;;BU;(Exists WIN://SYSAPPID))"
When you’re prompted with the question, Are you sure (Y/N)? type Y
.
The above command-line, which consists of an SDDL string, applies the Windows-default permission entries for the WindowsApps
folder. For an alternate method of the above, see cacls vs. icacls paragraph below.
Command #3
icacls "%programfiles%\WindowsApps" /setowner "nt service\trustedinstaller"
You should see the following output:
processed file: WindowsApps Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files
The above command restores the WindowsApps
folder’s ownership back to the TrustedInstaller account, which is the factory default setting.
WindowsApps – Default ACL
Here are the default access control entries (Windows 10 v2004, 20H2, 21H1, and 21H2) for the WindowsApps folder:
NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller:(F) NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F) S-1-15-3-1024-3635283841-2530182609-996808640-1887759898-3848208603-3313616867-983405619-2501854204:(RX) S-1-15-3-1024-3635283841-2530182609-996808640-1887759898-3848208603-3313616867-983405619-2501854204:(OI)(CI)(IO)(GR,GE) NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(F) NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F) BUILTIN\Administrators:(CI)(RX) NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE:(OI)(CI)(RX) NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE:(OI)(CI)(RX) NT AUTHORITY\RESTRICTED:(OI)(CI)(RX) BUILTIN\Users:(Rc,S,RD,REA,X,RA)
Note: You can view the permissions for the folder by running the command icacls "c:\program files\windowsapps"
.
The long SIDs are the Capability SIDs built-in to Windows 10. The Capability SIDs don’t resolve to a friendly account name. For more information, check out the Microsoft article Some SIDs do not resolve into friendly names. Microsoft suggests that you DO NOT DELETE capability SIDs from either the Registry or file system permissions.
Additional Information
CACLS vs. ICACLS
The deprecated tool cacls.exe
is superseded by icacls.exe
. But cacls.exe
still works in Windows 10. In case Microsoft removes cacls.exe
in future Windows versions, you can apply the ACLs using this method as an alternative for Command #2 above :
- Using Notepad, create a text file with the following contents:
windowsapps D:PAI(A;;FA;;;S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464)(A;OICIIO;GA;;;S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464)(A;;0x1200a9;;;S-1-15-3-1024-3635283841-2530182609-996808640-1887759898-3848208603-3313616867-983405619-2501854204)(A;OICIIO;GXGR;;;S-1-15-3-1024-3635283841-2530182609-996808640-1887759898-3848208603-3313616867-983405619-2501854204)(A;;FA;;;SY)(A;OICIIO;GA;;;SY)(A;CI;0x1200a9;;;BA)(A;OICI;0x1200a9;;;LS)(A;OICI;0x1200a9;;;NS)(A;OICI;0x1200a9;;;RC)(XA;;0x1200a9;;;BU;(Exists WIN://SYSAPPID))
- Save the file as
acl.txt
in a folder — e.g.d:\temp\acl.txt
- Next, run the following command-line from an admin Command Prompt:
icacls "%programfiles%" /restore d:\temp\acl.txt
Note: When restoring ACL with
icacls.exe
, you must mention the parent folder name instead of the folder you want to apply the permissions.
What about the subfolders of WindowsApps?
Most of the sub-folders under WindowsApps are owned by SYSTEM
, some of them are owned by Administrators
, and a couple of folders by TrustedInstaller
. Here’s a listing from a Windows 10 v20H2 computer:
Name : 7EE7776C.LinkedInforWindows_2.1.7098.0_neutral_split.scale-100_w1wdnht996qgy Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : 7EE7776C.LinkedInforWindows_2.1.7098.0_neutral__w1wdnht996qgy Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : 7EE7776C.LinkedInforWindows_2.1.7098.0_neutral_~_w1wdnht996qgy Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Deleted Owner : NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller Name : DeletedAllUserPackages Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : king.com.CandyCrushFriends_1.12.4.0_x86__kgqvnymyfvs32 Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_2.2010.22653.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_2.2010.22653.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_2.2010.7621.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.549981C3F5F10_2.2010.7621.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Advertising.Xaml_10.1808.3.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.Advertising.Xaml_10.1811.1.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Advertising.Xaml_10.1811.1.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.BingNews_4.30.10924.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.BingNews_4.30.10924.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.BingNews_4.30.10924.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.BingWeather_4.46.22742.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.BingWeather_4.46.22742.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.BingWeather_4.9.30002.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_1.0.32912.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_1.0.32912.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_2019.1019.1.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.GetHelp_10.2004.31291.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.GetHelp_10.2004.31291.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.GetHelp_10.2004.31291.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Getstarted_9.10.32461.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Getstarted_9.10.32461.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.HEIFImageExtension_1.0.32532.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.HEVCVideoExtension_1.0.32762.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Messaging_4.1901.10241.1000_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Microsoft3DViewer_2020.2009.29132.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Microsoft3DViewer_7.2009.29132.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable_86.0.622.48_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable_86.0.622.51_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub_18.2008.12711.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub_18.2008.12711.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub_18.2008.12711.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.7.10142.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.7.10142.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.7.8101.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection_4.7.8101.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_3.7.142.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_3.7.142.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_3.7.142.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MixedReality.Portal_2000.20081.1312.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MixedReality.Portal_2000.20081.1312.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MixedReality.Portal_2000.20081.1312.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MPEG2VideoExtension_1.0.22661.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MSPaint_2020.2009.30067.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.MSPaint_6.2009.30067.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.2_1.2.23231.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.2_1.2.23231.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.3_1.3.24201.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.3_1.3.24201.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.6_1.6.27413.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.6_1.6.27413.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.7_1.7.25531.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.7_1.7.27413.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.1.7_1.7.27413.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.0_2.0.27427.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.0_2.0.27427.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.1_2.1.27427.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.1_2.1.27427.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.27405.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.27405.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.27912.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.27912.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.1_1.1.23406.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.1_1.1.23406.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.4_1.4.24201.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.4_1.4.24201.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.6_1.6.24903.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.6_1.6.24903.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7_1.7.25531.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7_1.7.25531.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7_1.7.27422.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.1.7_1.7.27422.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.0_2.0.25709.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.0_2.0.25709.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.1_2.1.26424.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.1_2.1.26424.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.27328.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.27328.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.28604.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.28604.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Office.OneNote_16001.13127.20190.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Office.OneNote_16001.13127.20190.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.OneConnect_5.1906.1791.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.People_10.1909.10841.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.People_10.1909.10841.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.People_2020.324.807.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Print3D_3.3.791.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Print3D_3.3.791.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_10.2.1534.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_10.2.1534.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_10.2.1534.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_10.2.1535.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_10.2.1535.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_10.2.1535.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ScreenSketch_10.2008.2277.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ScreenSketch_10.2008.2277.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ScreenSketch_2020.814.2355.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Services.Store.Engagement_10.0.18101.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.Services.Store.Engagement_10.0.18101.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.Services.Store.Engagement_10.0.19011.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Services.Store.Engagement_10.0.19011.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.SkypeApp_15.65.78.0_neutral_~_kzf8qxf38zg5c Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.SkypeApp_15.65.78.0_x86__kzf8qxf38zg5c Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp_12010.1001.2.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.StorePurchaseApp_12010.1001.213.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.0_2.1810.18004.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.0_2.1810.18004.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.1_2.11906.6001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.1_2.11906.6001.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.3_2.32002.13001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.3_2.32002.13001.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.4_2.42007.9001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.4_2.42007.9001.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.120.00.Universal_12.0.30501.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.120.00.Universal_12.0.30501.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.27323.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.27323.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.29016.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.29231.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.29231.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.27323.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.27323.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.29231.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00_14.0.29231.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.VP9VideoExtensions_1.0.32521.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Wallet_2.4.18324.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.Wallet_2.4.18324.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions_1.0.20875.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions_1.0.20875.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.WebMediaExtensions_1.0.20875.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.WebpImageExtension_1.0.32731.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Windows.Photos_2020.20090.1002.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Windows.Photos_2020.20090.1002.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Windows.Photos_2020.20090.1002.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_10.2007.3.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_10.2007.3.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_10.2009.5.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_10.2009.5.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_2021.2007.3.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_2021.2009.5.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_10.2009.4.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_10.2009.4.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_2020.2009.4.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsCamera_2020.504.60.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsCamera_2020.504.60.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16005.13228.41011.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16005.13228.41011.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub_1.1907.3152.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub_1.1907.3152.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub_2019.1111.2029.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators Name : Microsoft.WindowsMaps_10.2008.0.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsMaps_10.2008.0.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsMaps_10.2009.2.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsMaps_10.2009.2.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsMaps_2021.2008.0.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsMaps_2021.2009.2.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder_10.2008.0.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder_10.2009.2.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder_2021.2008.0.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder_2021.2009.2.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsStore_12010.1001.3.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsStore_12010.1001.3.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.WindowsStore_12010.1001.313.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI_1.24.10001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.Xbox.TCUI_1.24.10001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxApp_48.69.18001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxApp_48.69.18001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxApp_48.70.21001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxApp_48.70.21001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxGameOverlay_1.54.4001.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxGameOverlay_1.54.4001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxGameOverlay_1.54.4001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_5.420.8043.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_5.420.8043.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_5.420.8043.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider_12.67.21001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider_12.67.21001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay_1.21.13002.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay_1.21.13002.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.XboxSpeechToTextOverlay_1.21.13002.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ZuneMusic_10.20092.10311.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ZuneMusic_10.20092.10311.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ZuneMusic_2019.20092.10311.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ZuneVideo_10.20082.10421.0_neutral_split.scale-100_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ZuneVideo_10.20082.10421.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Microsoft.ZuneVideo_2019.20082.10421.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : MovedPackages Owner : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Name : Mutable Owner : NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller Name : MutableBackup Owner : NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller Name : SharedLimitedTime Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators
As you can see, most of the package folders are owned by SYSTEM
, some of them by Administrators
, and a few are owned by TrustedInstaller
.
You can view the owner name of each subfolder by running the command from admin Command Prompt:
dir "%programfiles%\windowsapps" /q /ad
Or, the following command from admin PowerShell prompt:
Get-ChildItem "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" | Select Name,@{Name="Owner";Expression={(Get-ACL $_.Fullname).Owner}} | format-list
Fixing permissions for the package folders can be done on a per-folder basis rather than changing them en masse.
(20H2 is the current Windows 10 version is as of this article.)