App access to another file system
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Recommendation
SituationalDisable only if you do not need Store file managers and archivers: their access to files outside libraries breaks.
File Explorer and classic Win32 programs work as before.
- Main effect
- Blocking file system access
- FPS and memory
- See the research
What changes
Section titled “What changes”BoosterX enables a general block on broad access — the same global switch as on the Windows page “Settings” → “Privacy” → “App permissions” → “File system”. Microsoft describes this permission as access “to all the files that you have access to”, and it grants it to each app individually in Settings; the general switch closes it for all of them at once. After the block, Store file managers and archivers cannot open files outside the allowed libraries — for example, on another drive or in an arbitrary folder.
Exceptions and differences
Section titled “Exceptions and differences”File Explorer, classic Win32 managers and archivers work with files directly and are not subject to the block. Access to individual libraries — “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Videos” — consists of other permissions that do not replace broad access. Granting access to a single app remains on the same system page. BoosterX supports the setting in Windows 10 and Windows 11; the set of permission pages in “Settings” differs — check on your system.
How to verify the result
Section titled “How to verify the result”Open a file outside the libraries in a Store file manager or archiver, for example on another drive. Apply the block — Windows will close the app itself so that the change takes effect — launch it again and repeat: the file should become unavailable.
How to change and revert
Section titled “How to change and revert”Open “Optimization” → “Privacy” → “App permissions” → “App access to another file system”, move the switch to the “On” position: BoosterX will apply the block on broad access to files outside the libraries. Click “Apply”. If “Instant apply” is enabled, a separate button is not required. To revert, move the switch to the “Off” position and apply the change again: BoosterX will return the standard Windows state, in which access is granted to each app individually.
Confirmation
Section titled “Confirmation”- Research on privacy policies.
- Library permissions: “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Videos”.
- Microsoft: File access permissions, checked 2026-09-19.
Last check: 2026-09-19.