How Can Windows 10 Universal Apps Access Files and Directories Securely?

File and directory access for Windows 10 Universal Apps

File and folder access from traditional Windows apps is relatively simple and straightforward. However, in Windows 10 Universal Apps (UWA), file system access is restricted to ensure user privacy and security.

Challenges in UWA

When developing UWA, developers may encounter the following challenges:

• Restricted Access: By default, UWA can only access files and folders within its app store, or those manually selected by the user using FileOpenPicker or FolderPicker.
• Missing APIs: Certain APIs, such as Directory.Exists(), are not supported in UWA, limiting the ability to perform file-related operations.

Access files outside the app storage

To access files and directories outside the application store, UWA can use the following methods:

• FolderPicker: Manually select a folder from the user interface.
• FutureAccessList: Adds a folder to a list so that the app can access it in the future, even after the user closes and relaunches the app.
• FileOpenPicker with File Extension Association: Associates an app with a file extension and opens files with that extension, granting limited access to the associated data.

File system access in Windows 10 Build 17134 and later

Starting with Windows 10 Build 17134, additional file system access features are introduced for UWA:

• AppExecutionAlias: Allows access to files and folders in the current working directory.
• broadFileSystemAccess Function: Grants access to the entire file system, subject to user consent and review by Microsoft.

Guiding Principles and Best Practices

To ensure user-friendly and responsible file access methods, developers are advised to:

• Use the least restrictive access method.
• Avoid accessing sensitive user data without explicit user consent.
• Notifies users of file access permissions and provides options to control access.

By following these guidelines, developers can create UWAs that meet user expectations for privacy and security while still meeting functional requirements.

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