Some apps need permission to access your photos, videos, or documents so they can work as intended. For example, photo and video editing apps require access to the files you want to edit, as well as a location to save the updated versions. Similarly, document-based apps may need access to your files to open, edit, and store your work.
Because these file locations can contain personal content, you’re always in control of which apps can access your pictures, videos, and documents. Windows lets you review and manage these permissions so you can decide what each app is allowed to use.
How the pictures, videos, and documents library access settings work
If an app requires access to your file storage locations, it will list that requirement on its product description page—select the Permissions info link to find out. You can deny access at any time. Here's how:
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Do one of the following:
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In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security.
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In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Privacy.
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Choose either Documents, Pictures, or Videos.
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Select whether to give access to the a library or not. You can then choose which apps can access.Â
If you deny library access to an app:
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Windows will create a unique folder within the library to which the app needed access. This folder is where the app will store all of its data. This will protect your privacy and keep the app from seeing any data outside of this folder, while also allowing the app to continue running. For example, if you use an app to edit a photo and want to save the edited photo, but you denied the app permission to write to your pictures library, Windows will create a unique folder in the pictures library and the app will only have write access to that specific folder.
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You won't be able to take full advantage of that app's functionality. Some apps require the ability to source content from a particular library to function properly. If you deny an app access to a library, the app might not work as expected.
