Summary :
You can use Windows Store access Steam to download and install games on your computer. But, do you know where does Microsoft Store install games or where are Steam games stored? This MiniTool post will talk about Windows 10 game location. You can read it to get the answer.
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Where Are Windows Games Stored?
Shop for PC games Use the Store tab in the app to browse and buy your favourite digital PC games, DLC or add-ons. Xbox Game Pass members get up to 20% off games and up to 10% off DLC and add-ons for games in the Xbox Game Pass library.
If you are a Windows 10 game player, you can search for games in different platforms. For example, Windows Store, Steam, as well as some other formal game downloading web sites. Windows Store and Steam are two commonly used platforms for you to download Windows 10 games.
The Windows 10 games' downloaded files should be saved on a special location on your computer. But, you can't find that location after trying.
Then:
- Where are Windows games stored?
- Where does Microsoft Store install games?
- Where are Steam games stored?
You may be concerned about the above questions. In this article, we will talk about the Windows 10 games location issue.
Windows 10 Game Location
Usually, no matter where you have downloaded the Windows games and then installed it on your computer, the default Windows games location is C: > Program Files > WindowsApps.
By default, the WindowsApps folder is hidden on your computer. You need to show hidden folders and then try to access it.
Have you ever encountered Windows 10 show hidden files not working issue? Some solutions and files recovery tips are introduced here to deal with it.
However, when you want to access the Microsoft Store game install location, you will receive a warning saying You don't currently have permission to access this folder.
After clicking Continue, you will receive another warning: You have been denied permission to access this folder.
Why you are not allowed to access the Windows 10 game location? Because you need strict administrative permission to access it. In a normal situation, there is no need to access this folder. But, if you want to open it and then move the game installations files to another location, you need to first take ownership of that folder.
How to Access Windows 10 Game Location?
- Take the ownership of the WindowsApps folder.
- Access the WindowsApps folder.
How to Access the WindowsApps Folder on Windows 10?
Take Ownership of the WindowsApps Folder
You can follow these steps to take ownership of the WindowsApps folder:
1. Go to this path: C: > Program Files.
2. Click View in the above menu.
3. Check Hidden items.
4. Right-click the WindowsApps folder and then select Properties.
5. Switch to the Security
6. Click Advanced.
7. Click Change that is next to Owner: Unable to display current owner.
8. Click Advanced.
9. Click the Find Now button on the Select User or Group interface.
10. Select your Windows username from the search result.
11. Click OK.
12. Click OK on the Select User or Group interface.
13. Click Apply.
14. Click OK.
15. Click OK again.
16. Click OK one more time to keep the change.
Access the WindowsApps Folder
After you get the permission to access the WindowsApps folder, you can then open that folder to do the things you want to do.
How to Remove the Installed Apps and Games on PC?
App Store Xbox One Games For Free
Now, you can move your installed games and applications to your desired location. Here is a simple guide:
- Press the Windows key and the I key on your keyboard at the same time to open Windows Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Click the game or application you want to move and then click Move to transfer it to the target location.
How to Change the Default Location for New Games and Apps?
You can see that the games and apps installation files are saved to the C drive. This will occupy much space on that drive and it will slow down your computer as time goes on.
To speed up your computer, you can choose to change the default download and installation location for new games and apps.
Here is what you can do:
1. Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings.
2. Go to System > Storage > Change where new content is saved.
3. Click the Arrow Down button and select an alternative location to save the new apps and games.
Bottom Line
After reading this post, you should know where does Microsoft Store install games and where are Steam games stored. Yes, they are all saved on the same location by default: C: > Program Files > WindowsApps. You can also find a guide on how to access the WindowsApps folder in this post.
Should you have any related questions, you can just feel free to let us know in the comment.
Where Does Microsoft Store Install Games FAQ
- Sign in to your Microsoft account.
- Go to Microsoft Store.
- Search for the game you want to install.
- Click the Get button to download and install this game on your computer.
Xbox App Store Games Free
- Press Windows key + X.
- Select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Type the following command to the interface and then press Enter:
Xbox Games Store App
Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register '$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml'}