Forum Discussion
Regarding Windows 10 file system access and privacy
Hi,
here is the official support article about this:
Q: Does that mean, that there is no apps that have access to my file system?
A: yes, no UWP app, but Win32 apps can have access to file system.
Exceptions to the file system access privacy settings
Not all apps will appear under Choose which apps can access your file system. Certain Windows programs, such as those that are downloaded from the internet or installed with some type of media (such as a CD, DVD, or USB storage device) won’t appear in that list and are not affected by the Allow apps access your file system setting. To allow or deny file system access for one of these programs, check the settings in the program itself.
Q:Is the Windows Pictures folder and Windows Documents folder?
Is it the WHOLE drive?
A: according to the description of file system in Windows settings:
it's not whole drive, it includes Documents, Pictures, Videos and local OneDrive files.
if you want to control the whole drive (and against Win32 apps), you can use controlled folder access feature in Windows Security (aka Windows Defender)
Q: Where can I see, which apps previously have been granted access to my file system?
A: in Windows Settings => Privacy => File system
Q: Is it possible to see, if deleted apps were granted access to file system?
A: probaby using Event Viewer in Windows
HotCakeX
Thank you for your reply!
I have never installed any software using CD, USB or another drive, so that excludes that.
A: according to the description of file system in Windows settings:
It states: Documents, Pictures, Videos and OneDrive files
1)
Does it refer to the standard / generic Windows folders?
2)
The same folders as in the menus for Privacy - Documents and Picutes and Videos?
3)
So the File system access function, only covers the Documents, Pictures, Videos and OneDrive folders?
My uncertainty sprung from other articles / forums using other phrases like:
"apps can access your full file system"
"permission to have broad file system access"
Q: Where can I see, which apps previously have been granted access to my file system?
A: in Windows Settings => Privacy => File system
4)
Apps that have requested permission (both declined and granted), do they appear in the list Choose which apps can access your file system?
Thanks in advance