Location of Microsoft Store game "executables"

Bert63 · Mar 7, 2017

I own three Microsoft Store games:

- Forza Horizon 3
- Resident Evil Biohazard
- Rise of the Tomb Raider

As with all my other games, I want to build a Razer profile and link to the executable so when I start the game my peripherals are all set to go.

The problem is I can't find the executables.

I've tried reading various forums but haven't been able to find anything specific to what I'm trying to do. It can't be that hard.

Anyone here have any idea?

StefanM · Mar 7, 2017

It's a "hidden" folder c:\Program Files\WindowsApps\
NB this folder is heavily protected - TakeOwnerShipEX fails

I have only:
c:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ForzaHorizon3Demo_1.0.4.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\

rtwjunkie · Mar 7, 2017

So, I don't have an answer for you, but when I read the review by Rock Paper Shotgun of Quantum Break (Steam version), they mentioned it was definitely preferable to Windows Store version because MS wants to store your game files all over.

Bert63 · Mar 9, 2017

StefanM said:
It's a "hidden" folder c:\Program Files\WindowsApps\
NB this folder is heavily protected - TakeOwnerShipEX fails

I have only:
c:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ForzaHorizon3Demo_1.0.4.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\

Yes - I knew about these type folders and have found the ones for the three games in question. I though maybe I was missing something or someone might know of another way.

Completely stupid. I have to manually set my profile before I enter any of the games in question and it's a pain in the ass.

rtwjunkie said:
So, I don't have an answer for you, but when I read the review by Rock Paper Shotgun of Quantum Break (Steam version), they mentioned it was definitely preferable to Windows Store version because MS wants to store your game files all over.

Trust me, if these games hadn't been free ($200 worth of Microsoft Store credit as a gift) there is no way in hell I would have bought these games there. I'm always a Steam/Origin/Uplay buyer..

RejZoR · Mar 12, 2017

Windows Store is a dead platform from a start. Only idiot would buy a game there. It's clumsy, limited, broken, can't use any mods and it'll die just the same GFWL has. And now those games are not playable anymore for the most part or with tons of problems. AVOID!

Mussels · Mar 12, 2017

thats exactly why no one wants to use it, you cant find the EXE to start them directly, or trigger background apps (even things like selecting what GPU on a laptop w/ intel + dedicated),

xkm1948 · Mar 12, 2017

I constantly play the jigsaw from microsoft, pretty good to be honest. As a matter of fact I spent more time playing microsoft solitaire and jigsaw than VR.

RejZoR · Mar 13, 2017

I like Windows Store only for Netflix, Hyper and MyTwitch, because frigging hardware acceleration of video works in them on the crappy AMD E-450 laptop. And that's the only reason I ever use apps from it.

FYFI13 · Mar 13, 2017

RejZoR said:
I like Windows Store only for Netflix, Hyper and MyTwitch, because frigging hardware acceleration of video works in them on the crappy AMD E-450 laptop. And that's the only reason I ever use apps from it.

I have noticed that as well, hardware accelerated video playback is amazing. When using Edge i can watch 4K Youtube videos on Intel Celeron N2820 while with Google Chrome it can struggle with 480p video content sometimes :| Same with built in Movies and TV app, Netflix and few others.

Mussels · Mar 13, 2017

FYFI13 said:
I have noticed that as well, hardware accelerated video playback is amazing. When using Edge i can watch 4K Youtube videos on Intel Celeron N2820 while with Google Chrome it can struggle with 480p video content sometimes :| Same with built in Movies and TV app, Netflix and few others.

thats actually really interesting info, for netbook/tablet owners

RejZoR · Mar 13, 2017

I have no clue why Youtube runs like total garbage on Atom or AMD APU (the famous E-450) using Firefox, Opera or Chrome. But in Edge or through these apps which clearly use Edge as rendering engine, absolutelly butter smooth. I now watch all Youtube videos in "Hyper" app on my crappy AMD E-450 laptop and it's butter smooth. Only 60 fps videos make it struggle a bit, but for 30fps videos, no problems at all.

StefanM · Mar 13, 2017

Mussels said:
... you cant find the EXE to start them directly, or trigger background apps (even things like selecting what GPU on a laptop w/ intel + dedicated),

Here's what to do in the NVIDIA control panel.
Add profile
Hit search
Goto C:\Program Files (or whatever it's called in your language)
Type WindowsApps in the filename field and open
Now you should see them

System Name	Matilda
Processor	i7 6700K @ 4.6Ghz 1.24V
Motherboard	ASUS Z170 Deluxe
Cooling	Phanteks PH-TC14PE
Memory	16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3000
Video Card(s)	EVGA 1080 FTW
Storage	Intel 600p 512GB M.2, Samsung 850 Pro 256GB, WD Black 5TB, WD Black 4TB, 12TB EXT
Display(s)	2 X PB278Q 27" WQHD 2560x1440 IPS
Case	Phanteks Enthoo Pro
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Seasonic Platinum 1050
Mouse	Razer Naga Chroma
Keyboard	Razer Blackwidow Chroma
Software	Windows 10

System Name	Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-45-R715)
Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
Motherboard	AMD Promontory / Bixby FCH
Cooling	Acer Nitro Sense
Memory	32 GB
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon Graphics (Cezanne) / NVIDIA RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
Storage	WDC PC SN530 SDBPNPZ
Display(s)	BOE CQ NE156QHM-NY3
Software	Windows 11 beta channel

System Name	Bayou Phantom
Processor	Core i7-8700k 4.4Ghz @ 1.18v
Motherboard	ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 6
Cooling	All air: 2x140mm Fractal exhaust; 3x 140mm Cougar Intake; Enermax T40F Black CPU cooler
Memory	2x 16GB Mushkin Redline DDR-4 3200
Video Card(s)	EVGA RTX 2080 Ti Xc
Storage	1x 500 MX500 SSD; 2x 6TB WD Black; 1x 4TB WD Black; 1x400GB VelRptr; 1x 4TB WD Blue storage (eSATA)
Display(s)	HP 27q 27" IPS @ 2560 x 1440
Case	Fractal Design Define R4 Black w/Titanium front -windowed
Audio Device(s)	Soundblaster Z
Power Supply	Seasonic X-850
Mouse	Coolermaster Sentinel III (large palm grip!)
Keyboard	Logitech G610 Orion mechanical (Cherry Brown switches)
Software	Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (Start10 & Fences 3.0 installed)

System Name	Matilda
Processor	i7 6700K @ 4.6Ghz 1.24V
Motherboard	ASUS Z170 Deluxe
Cooling	Phanteks PH-TC14PE
Memory	16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3000
Video Card(s)	EVGA 1080 FTW
Storage	Intel 600p 512GB M.2, Samsung 850 Pro 256GB, WD Black 5TB, WD Black 4TB, 12TB EXT
Display(s)	2 X PB278Q 27" WQHD 2560x1440 IPS
Case	Phanteks Enthoo Pro
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Seasonic Platinum 1050
Mouse	Razer Naga Chroma
Keyboard	Razer Blackwidow Chroma
Software	Windows 10

System Name	Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor	Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard	Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling	Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory	2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s)	Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage	2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s)	Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) \| Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) \| Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case	Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s)	Logitech G560 \| Corsair Void pro RGB \|Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply	Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse	Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard	Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software	Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores	Nyooom.

Location of Microsoft Store game "executables"

Bert63

StefanM

rtwjunkie

PC Gaming Enthusiast

Bert63

RejZoR

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

xkm1948

RejZoR

FYFI13

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

RejZoR

StefanM

System Name	Virtual Reality / Bioinformatics
Processor	Undead CPU
Motherboard	Undead TUF X99
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15
Memory	GSkill 128GB DDR4-3000
Video Card(s)	EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 Ultra
Storage	Samsung 960 Pro 1TB + 860 EVO 2TB + WD Black 5TB
Display(s)	32'' 4K Dell
Case	Fractal Design R5
Audio Device(s)	BOSE 2.0
Power Supply	Seasonic 850watt
Mouse	Logitech Master MX
Keyboard	Corsair K70 Cherry MX Blue
VR HMD	HTC Vive + Oculus Quest 2
Software	Windows 10 P