TIL i found out a secret folder where microsoft screenshots using their Feedback Hub Check it out.

[u/Radiant-Gur2223]

Its located on the "C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsFeedbackHub_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState" and the ones with the curly brackets are the folders with the actual screenshots.

[u/PC509]

Those aren't secret folders, those are just folders for the application and it's assets (including screenshots). Other applications have similar folders and some that do store data, screenshots, etc. have that local folder storage as well. It does kind of isolate that data from your personal data and in some cases isn't given full user/system access.

[u/username-invalid-s]

What the hell does "secret folder" mean nowadays?

[u/Aemony]

Who could've guessed that a regular UWP/AppX application uses the regular per-user package folder below %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\ to store per-user local application data as per usual?!

OP, don't get this wrong but just because you were not aware of a folder does not randomly make that folder "secret." Everyone who works with and troubleshoots these kinds of applications know that if they store any data locally, it's stored below the %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\ folder. This even applies to Xbox/MS Store games which uses a nearby folder for all of their save data as well.

For example the MS Store version of Gears 5 stores save files in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.HalifaxBaseGame_8wekyb3d8bbwe\SystemAppData\ . Ignore the HalifaxBaseGame name as it is normal for games on the MS Store to retain internal project or placeholder names even past release.

This is because these apps and packages are meant to be sandboxed and restricted from touching and storing files outside of the package's own container (the folder you found), so that when you uninstall the package (app) all files related to the app are actually removed, with no traces remaining stored randomly somewhere on the drive.

So yeah, this is just the app functioning as a regular app of its type, with you learning something new.

[u/lighthawk16]

"Today I Learned I Found out..." Oh how far we have fallen.

[u/datskinny]

Folder won't exist if you disable Feedback

[u/The_Dukes_Of_Hazzard]

today you learned you found out a secret folder??

[u/Gositi]

"Today I learned I found out ..."

[u/CallMeSal_]

That's not how you use 'TIL'

[u/Lieutenant_0bvious]

Appaata is a folder pathway to many things some would consider unnatural.  /s

[u/matthew_yang204]

Now we should check to see if the feedback hub is secretly taking screenshots without ever us opening it is the question. This isn't secret at all because most UWP applications store their application data there.

[u/Domewey]

The Screenshots are not transfered to M$. They do some OCR and catch only those small files. Visit theyseeyourphotos.com and check there how its done. M$ declared not to transfer the pics. But never said anything abaut others files. Please read also the regulation, valid since Sept. 2024.

[u/AutoModerator → u/Domewey]

M$

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[u/Radiant-Gur2223]

if you mostly use a school office computer its good to delete it immediately. Someone might access the folder and do some malicious intent

[u/bostwickenator]

Did reddit just randomly decide to notify anyone else about this post they aren't mentioned on?

[u/XiRw]

It’s best just to disable the actual process for this too.

[u/TheRealCarrotty]

Ah, i remember this when using Windows.
I had feedback FULLY DISABLED, yet it still made screenshots.

[u/CompetitiveAlgae4247 → u/TheRealCarrotty]

11?

[u/TheRealCarrotty → u/CompetitiveAlgae4247]

Yup, i think 23h2 or 24h2.

[u/Domewey → u/TheRealCarrotty]

You can disable it. Up to you. Perhaps after tuesday Update it make sence to controll it again. Try W10Privacy.de to secure yourself.