How can I stop program files folder from being created on my external SSD every boot.

Question

How can I stop program files folder from being created on my external SSD every boot.

Conor 25

I recently migrated all of my games to a new internal SSD, I did not realise that when I did so for xbox games that it would create extra folders to do with this.

I have uninstalled all of the xbox games, changed all of the relevant installation locations to again the old drive through the xbox app, microsoft store and windows apps.

I have also successfully deleted all of the other folders/files that were made through changing permissions, other than the "Program Files" folder and "ModifiableWindowsApps" sub folder (which all contained nothing).

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you.

Ivan B 124.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-18T01:26:49.1366667+00:00

Hi ,

It's confusing that new folders are being created on the external SSD even after you migrate the applications to the internal SSD?

Thanks
Conor 25 Reputation points

2025-07-18T08:16:21.15+00:00

Yes that's right, but it's just "Program Files" and "ModifiableWindowsApps". I followed all of the steps usually required to prevent this from happening yet on every boot it creates these empty folders.

I might add that I have two SSD's and both are installed internally and one of the SSD's (D) contains only games. the problem was caused by Xbox games being moved to there initially until I uninstalled them and changed the instillation paths back to the original drive (C).
ryumahaKi 0 Reputation points

2026-06-28T06:20:09.9166667+00:00

microsoft and xbox they still have not fixed this issue still i find in every dive xbox folder and programme files annoying deleting all these shits.

Answer accepted by question author

Ivan B 124.4K Independent Advisor

Hi ,

I understand I've had a similar problem. You'll need to format the external SSD drive so it's not recognized as a VHD in the Microsoft Store.

Use Diskpart or Disk Manager.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/disk-management-in-windows-ad88ba19-f0d3-0809-7889-830f63e94405

Go to Microsoft Store > Settings > Game installation options > enable the option "Ask me for these options every time I install a game."

Remember, if you select the external SSD drive during any installation, it will ask you to create the folder. It will be recognized as a VHD in the Microsoft Store and Xbox. The process is the same.

Give feedback if the information was useful or not.

Thanks

Conor 25 Reputation points

2025-07-18T12:32:32.33+00:00

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I would really prefer not to format the drive as there is over a terabyte worth of games on their and would take a very long time to re-install.

I will change the Microsoft store settings per your recommendation as that is a good idea.

Is there perhaps another way through the use of powershell/command prompt or registry editor to forget/deny any paths to the drive?

kind of ridiculous how this situation requires such drastic measures to delete null files. I could just forget about it and or format as you suggest but it's besides the point it should be a case of changing the paths then deleting the files.
Ivan B 124.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-18T13:28:12.4833333+00:00

Hi ,

You can ignore it. It will create folders, but it will only contain configuration files for installation. It won't add applications or games if you don't select the installation drive.

The Regedit process is quite risky because a mistake can damage the entire Microsoft Store installation folders, causing it to stop working. I don't recommend it.

Give feedback if the information was useful or not.

Thanks
Ivan B 124.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-20T05:03:36.9866667+00:00

Hi ,

Did you manage to solve the problem?

Thanks
Conor 25 Reputation points

2025-07-20T08:57:17.8466667+00:00

Hi Ivan,

not yet unfortunately, the file just will not budge.

The only option available I haven't tried yet is formatting the drive. It confounds me how stubborn this file is, surely by me setting all the install locations to the relevant drive (C) I should be able to simply remove the file from (D) without it being recreated every boot.

Could it be perhaps because I changed the permissions to delete the file but then without the privileges how would I be able to remove it?

There has to be some software on the computer that's creating the file that I haven't addressed yet can you think of any relevant software that has to do with creating a programs file folder?

I'm open to any more solutions if you have any friend.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Ivan B 124.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-18T01:26:49.1366667+00:00

Hi ,

It's confusing that new folders are being created on the external SSD even after you migrate the applications to the internal SSD?

Thanks
Conor 25 Reputation points

2025-07-18T08:16:21.15+00:00

Yes that's right, but it's just "Program Files" and "ModifiableWindowsApps". I followed all of the steps usually required to prevent this from happening yet on every boot it creates these empty folders.

I might add that I have two SSD's and both are installed internally and one of the SSD's (D) contains only games. the problem was caused by Xbox games being moved to there initially until I uninstalled them and changed the instillation paths back to the original drive (C).
ryumahaKi 0 Reputation points

2026-06-28T06:20:09.9166667+00:00

microsoft and xbox they still have not fixed this issue still i find in every dive xbox folder and programme files annoying deleting all these shits.
Conor 25 Reputation points

2025-07-18T12:32:32.33+00:00

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I would really prefer not to format the drive as there is over a terabyte worth of games on their and would take a very long time to re-install.

I will change the Microsoft store settings per your recommendation as that is a good idea.

Is there perhaps another way through the use of powershell/command prompt or registry editor to forget/deny any paths to the drive?

kind of ridiculous how this situation requires such drastic measures to delete null files. I could just forget about it and or format as you suggest but it's besides the point it should be a case of changing the paths then deleting the files.
Ivan B 124.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-18T13:28:12.4833333+00:00

Hi ,

You can ignore it. It will create folders, but it will only contain configuration files for installation. It won't add applications or games if you don't select the installation drive.

The Regedit process is quite risky because a mistake can damage the entire Microsoft Store installation folders, causing it to stop working. I don't recommend it.

Give feedback if the information was useful or not.

Thanks
Ivan B 124.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-20T05:03:36.9866667+00:00

Hi ,

Did you manage to solve the problem?

Thanks
Conor 25 Reputation points

2025-07-20T08:57:17.8466667+00:00

Hi Ivan,

not yet unfortunately, the file just will not budge.

The only option available I haven't tried yet is formatting the drive. It confounds me how stubborn this file is, surely by me setting all the install locations to the relevant drive (C) I should be able to simply remove the file from (D) without it being recreated every boot.

Could it be perhaps because I changed the permissions to delete the file but then without the privileges how would I be able to remove it?

There has to be some software on the computer that's creating the file that I haven't addressed yet can you think of any relevant software that has to do with creating a programs file folder?

I'm open to any more solutions if you have any friend.

Answer 1

Ivan B 124.4K Independent Advisor

Hi ,

Do the following: open Windows Powershell (admin) and run the command:

remove-appxvolume -volume d:\

See if it recognizes and removes the folders.

Thanks

Conor 25 Reputation points

2025-07-20T21:08:29.4866667+00:00

Would I write this... remove-appxvolume -volume d:\Program Files?

I get this message

C:\Windows\System32>remove-appxvolume -volume d:\

'remove-appxvolume' is not recognized as an internal or external command,

operable program or batch file.
Ivan B 124.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-07-21T03:22:06.12+00:00

Hi ,

Sorry, try this way in Windows Powershell (Admin) and see if it recognizes the drive as disk.

Thanks
Conor 25 Reputation points

2025-07-21T06:26:21.72+00:00

Hi Ivan,

I went with your original solution and ended up formatting the drive. Program files and WindowsApps are now gone!

Unfortunately it seems that windows creating these system files is so hardbacked into the software it would require me to execute code in areas I admittedly do not fully understand.

I wish I could have solved the problem without doing so. There's a silver lining at least, the experience has taught me a couple of things about my computer, the functionality of command prompt and regedit. And to never EVER install Xbox games other than on the drive the system files are located on XD.

Thanks for all your help and patience.