Ms appx 4DF9E0F8 Netflix obj default html

Netflix allows you to download movies and shows offline only with the Netflix app for Windows 10 and 11. You cannot download a title from Netflix in a browser. But where is the Netflix download folder?

The streaming service doesn't allow you to browse to the destination from within Netflix where it downloads and saves movie files. Also, Netflix doesn't let you set the location of the Netflix downloads folder on laptops or desktops. You have to use File Explorer to find the Netflix folder. Then, you can manually move the downloads to another location if your drive fills up fast. When you want to watch them again, copy them back to the original place.

Note: The steps below are the same for Windows 10 and 11. Screenshots of the Netflix download folder are from Windows 11.

Where Are Netflix Downloads Stored?

Netflix downloads on Windows laptops and desktops go into a hidden folder. But you can locate it with a few simple steps and create a shortcut to the download location if you access it frequently.

1. Open the Netflix app and download a movie for offline viewing. The Netflix folder isn't created unless you download something.
2. Open File Explorer from the Taskbar.
3. The Netflix download folder is hidden. To display it on Windows 10, go to the View tab and click on the Option menu button on the right.
4. In Folder Options, select the View tab and scroll to the Files and Folders settings. If it's not checked, select the Show Hidden files, folders, and drives setting to enable it.
   

   What is the WindowsApps Folder in Windows 10?

   The WindowsApps folder, as we’ve mentioned, is a restricted folder containing Microsoft Store apps. It also contains some Windows apps that use the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app style (as introduced in Windows 8), such as the Your Phone app (yourphone.exe).

   From a security point of view, restricting the WindowsApps folder makes sense. By sandboxing Microsoft Store apps from the rest of Windows, and limiting ownership of the files to a hidden TrustedInstaller user account, Microsoft Store apps have limited access to the rest of Windows compared to standard desktop apps.

   

   Unfortunately, this does mean that making any changes to the WindowsApps folder (or viewing it at all) is difficult. You’ll need to take steps to take ownership of the folder first, allowing you access to change the folder afterwards.

   However, it’s important to consider the security risks before you attempt this. While Microsoft vets apps for quality and safety, limiting access to the WindowsApps folder adds another layer of protection, preventing access to other sensitive files or folders (such as your user profile folder in the C:\Users directory).

   By taking ownership of the folder, you’re reducing this added protection, and exposing more of your system data to Microsoft Store apps. If you’re concerned, you should scan for malware afterwards to offer yourself peace of mind.

   Using Windows File Explorer to Access the WindowsApps Folder

   To access the WindowsApp folder in Windows 10, the easiest method is to use Windows File Explorer. You’ll need to enable the viewing of hidden folders and take ownership of the folder, giving you the ability to view the folder and make changes.

   1. To start, open File Explorer on your Windows PC. Windows hides certain folders by default, so you’ll need to disable this first. To do this, select View > Hidden items. This will cause hidden files and folders to appear in the directory list on the right.
   
   1. With hidden folders accessible, open the Program Files directory (usually C:\Program Files) using the address bar. The WindowsApp folder should be visible in the directory list.
   
   1. To take control of WindowsApps, right-click the folder and select Properties.
   
   1. In the Properties window, select the Security tab, then select the Advanced option.
   
   1. In the Advanced Security Settings window, select the Change button, listed next to the Owner information at the top.
   
   1. In the Select User or Group box, type the username for your Windows user account, then select Check Names before selecting OK. For Microsoft accounts, type your email address instead.
   
   1. Ownership of the folder will update to reflect your username (as seen in the Owner information at the top of the window). Make sure to enable the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects checkbox at the top of the menu. If you’re happy to proceed, select OK (or Apply > OK) to make the change.
   
   1. You should now be able to view and edit the WindowApps folder, along with all sub-folders and files. Double-click the WindowsApps folder in the C:\Program Files directory to view the full contents.
   

   Gaining Access to WindowsApps using the Windows PowerShell

   The method above will grant you access to the WindowsApps folder and allow you to take ownership, but it can be quite a cumbersome process to follow. If you want to quickly change ownership of the WindowsApps folder and gain full access, you can use Windows PowerShell instead.

   1. To open a new PowerShell window, right-click the Start menu and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
   
   1. In the new PowerShell window, type takeown /f “C:\Program Files\WindowsApps” /r and press Enter. This will take some time to complete. By using the /f (force) and /r (recursive) flags, the takeown command will force ownership of the WindowsApps folder to change, applying the change to all files and subfolders.
   

   Once the process is complete, the WindowsApps folder (C:\Program Files\WindowsApps) will be accessible to you in Windows File Explorer.

   Understanding the WindowsApps Folder Structure

   Unlike the Program Files folder, the WindowsApp folder isn’t structured by a simple app name. A Microsoft Store app folder in WindowsApps will have a naming structure that typically follows this pattern: name, version number, architecture (such as x64 for standard 64-bit CPU PCs), and Microsoft Store publisher ID. 

   

   For example, the Netflix app folder is named 4DF9E0F8.Netflix_6.97.752.0_x64__mcm4njqhnhss8. The 4DF9E0F8.Netflix component is the internal app name, while 6.97.752.0 is the app version. 

   The architecture, x64, points to the common 64-bit CPU architecture, while mcm4njqhnhss8 is the publisher ID for Netflix. All app folders in the WindowsApps folder will, in some way, follow this structure.

   You may also see some apps with more than one folder. While the name, app version, and publisher ID remain the same, some folders will have neutral or neutral_split.scale for architecture. This usually points to common data files (such as app metadata) that remain the same, regardless of the target architecture.

   

   Core files, however, are found in the main architecture folder (such as the x64 folder). Some apps may have executable files you can run directly, while others are web apps, with javascript and other web assets visible.

   Netflix, for instance, is a web-based app. Inside the core Netflix x64 directory, folders labelled js, images, fonts, and obj point to its origins, with javascript and HTML code. Other apps, like the Microsoft Bing News app, come with an executable file and dynamic link library (DLL) files instead, similar to standard desktop apps.

   

   If you’re curious, you can take a look around the various sub-folders to gain an understanding of how the apps you install work, but you won’t be able to make any changes to the code.

   Troubleshooting Microsoft Store Apps on Windows 10

   Once you gain access to the WindowsApps folder, you can explore the different Microsoft Store apps that you have installed and (if necessary) remove them. Some apps, like yourphone.exe, are core Windows apps that you shouldn’t remove, while others (like those you install from the Store yourself) can be uninstalled safely.

   It’s probably best to uninstall Microsoft Store apps through the Microsoft Store itself or by using the Windows Settings menu, however. If you’re having trouble updating apps you’ve installed yourself, you may need to look at why, including checking for slow Microsoft Store downloads.

   Where is the Netflix EXE file?

   In the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\4DF9E0F8.

   How do I change my Netflix download location on Windows 10?

   Open the Netflix app and tap More or your profile icon . Select App Settings. Under Downloads, select Download Location. Select where you would like to store your downloads.

   Where are Netflix Downloads stored on Windows?

   From File Explorer, you can navigate to the Netflix download folder by directly copying and pasting the path into the explore box. The full path is: C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Packages\4DF9E0F8. Netflix_mcm4njqhnhss8\LocalState\offlineInfo\downloads.

   Why can't I download Netflix on my phone?

   Devices that are on older versions of Android or aren't Play Protect certified can't get the Netflix app from the Play Store.