Where Does Windows Store Installed Games?

Windows installs games from the Microsoft Store and Xbox app to a protected system folder, by default C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. This location is hidden and locked by default, but you can change where new games are installed and move existing ones through the Settings app.

Default Installation Location

The default location for Store games is C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. This folder is hidden and requires special permissions to view because it contains the core files of all Store apps and games, not just games. The exact path is %ProgramFiles%\WindowsApps, which usually resolves to C:\Program Files\WindowsApps on a standard system.

You can see the folder by opening File Explorer, typing %ProgramFiles%\WindowsApps into the address bar, and pressing Enter. Windows will ask for administrator permission. Even after granting it, you may see a message that you do not have permission to access the folder. You can take ownership of the folder to browse it, but that is not recommended because modifying files inside can break your installed apps and games.

Why Windows Uses a Protected Folder

Microsoft Store games are packaged as MSIX or AppX packages. These packages are designed to be tamper-proof and self-contained. The WindowsApps folder is protected so that games cannot modify their own files or the files of other apps, which reduces the risk of malware and makes uninstalling clean and complete. It also allows Windows to verify the integrity of the files and update them through the Store without leaving leftover files behind.

This is different from traditional desktop games that you install to C:\Program Files or a custom folder like D:\Games. Those games usually have full write access to their own folder, which is why modding is easier. Store games, by contrast, are sandboxed and rely on the Windows permission system.

How to Change the Installation Drive

You can choose a different drive when you first install a game, and you can move an already installed game to another drive. Here is how to change the default drive for new installations:

Open Settings (Windows key + I).
Go to System > Storage.
Click Advanced storage settings and then Where new content is saved.
Under New games and apps will save to, select a drive from the drop-down menu.

This setting applies to all new Store apps and games. If you want to move an existing game, follow these steps:

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features in older versions).
Find the game in the list, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select Move.
Choose a new drive from the drop-down and click Move.

Note that you can only move games to drives that are formatted with NTFS. External USB drives work, but moving a game to a slow drive may increase loading times.

Where the Xbox App Stores Games

The Xbox app (formerly Xbox Console Companion) uses the same underlying installation system as the Microsoft Store. When you install a game through the Xbox app, it goes to the same WindowsApps folder on the drive you selected. The Xbox app simply provides a different interface for browsing and launching games, but the installation path is identical.

If you have Game Pass, the games you install through the Xbox app are also Store packages. They appear in the same Installed apps list and can be moved using the same Settings method. The Xbox app itself does not have a separate folder for games; it relies on the Windows package manager.

How to Find the Exact Folder of a Game

If you need to locate a specific game’s folder, you can find it through the game’s shortcut or the WindowsApps folder. The easiest way is to right-click the game in the Start menu, select More > Open file location. This opens the folder containing the shortcut, but the actual game files are still inside WindowsApps.

To see the full path of a game, you can open PowerShell as administrator and run the command Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, InstallLocation. This lists all Store apps and their install paths. For example, for a game named “SampleGame�, the output might show C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\SampleGame_1.0.0.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe. The long string at the end is the package family name, which is unique to each app.

Common Problems and Fixes

One common issue is that you cannot find the game files to edit or mod. Because the WindowsApps folder is protected, you cannot simply copy files in or out without changing permissions. For most users, the solution is to accept that Store games are not meant to be modified. If you need to mod a game, you should look for a version that is not from the Store.

Another problem is that the game does not appear in the Installed apps list even though it is installed. This can happen if the game was installed under a different user account. Check the Installed apps list while logged in with the account that installed the game. If you have multiple drives, also check that the drive is connected and recognized by Windows.

If a game fails to update, it may be because the WindowsApps folder has been tampered with. The fix is to reset the app from Settings (Apps > Installed apps > select the game > Advanced options > Reset) or to uninstall and reinstall the game. If you have moved the game to an external drive and it is not plugged in, Windows may show an error and you will need to reconnect the drive.

Can You Install Games to an SD Card or External Drive?

Yes, you can install Store games to an SD card or an external USB drive, but there are caveats. The drive must be formatted with NTFS, and it must be connected when you install the game. If you remove the drive, the game will not launch until the drive is reconnected. Performance on SD cards or USB 2.0 drives may be poor for large, open-world games. For best results, use a fast internal SSD or a USB 3.0+ external SSD.

Windows also allows you to change the default installation location to a different drive entirely, which is useful if your system drive is low on space. However, you cannot choose a specific folder on the drive; Windows will always create the WindowsApps folder on that drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move a Store game to another folder on the same drive?

No. Windows does not let you choose a custom folder for Store games. The installation path is always WindowsApps on the chosen drive. You can only change the drive, not the folder within that drive.

Why is the WindowsApps folder locked?

It is locked to protect the integrity of the apps and games. If users could modify the files, a single corrupted file could break the game, and malware could inject code into trusted apps. The lock is part of the security model of the Microsoft Store.

How do I free up space if my C: drive is full?

You can move games to another drive using the Settings method described above. You can also uninstall games you no longer play, or use the Storage Sense feature in Settings to automatically clean up temporary files. Check the Where new content is saved setting to ensure new games go to a drive with more space.

Do Steam games install to the same folder?

No. Steam games install to a folder you choose during installation, typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common. Steam allows you to create multiple library folders on different drives, and you can move games between them freely. The WindowsApps folder is only for Microsoft Store and Xbox app games.

Can I delete files in WindowsApps to free space?

You should not. Deleting files from WindowsApps can break the game or app and may cause Windows to have errors. If you need to free space, uninstall the game through Settings or the Store. That will cleanly remove all files.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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