MSFS has been running well but I think I have accidentally changed a setting. Some of the folders including Community and Official now have a yellow lock symbol in the top right corner and when I try to copy a file from there an error message reads "Your organisation does not allow you to place this file here".

I have a screen shot of the locked files but can't find a way to add it here.

Does anyone know what has happened and how I can fix it?

 

Not sure you have changed a setting.. this is quite common as best I know.

Sometimes you can move, but not copy..

What I sometimes do, is use 7zip to zip the file to be copied in its current location, and then move the zipped file.

Edited October 21, 20223 yr by Bert Pieke

I think this problem disappears when installing into a custom location. 

Windows 10/11 have some kind of built-in Xbox protection protocol that prevents copying or altering files installed by Xbox games/Microsoft Store.    The above advice about archiving files out of the Community folder into a new archive file outside of the Community folder is a good workaround.  Simply archive file_X out of Community folder into a new file 'C:\file_X.rar', etc.    Then extract the file in question out of the new archive.  

Setting up the freeware MSFS2020 Addon Linker utility circumvents the annoying Xbox protection protocol altogether.   It's available here:  https://flightsim.to/file/1572/msfs-addons-linker

Many thanks to those who have replied to this request for help.

Later this weekend I will try the 7Zip and Addon Linker solutions and will report back.

Having read your responses I realise that the problem may have been triggered by the installation of a bigger drive for MSFS, I Installed a larger capacity drive to replace a 250GB unit. I was then obliged to update MSFS from the Microsoft Store.

 

If you don't want to use the addon linker, there is a file on github that will allow you to place files anywhere and quickly create symbolic links.

Bert's suggestion to zip files in order to move them out of the community folder is a good one.

It's darned annoying that you can't just move the files in your community folder to another drive though, especially when MS decides it wants to delete your entire msfs installation including your community folder as happened to me as a result of using a SU beta.

Edited October 22, 20223 yr by cianpars

Good morning cianpars, regarding your third paragraph the restriction is bigger than blocking the movement of files to another drive, I've just tried copying one of them to another location on the same drive and that is also barred.

 

I still think the best solution long-term might be to install to a custom location. No need for workarounds then - can copy, move and delete things in the community folder freely. 

Addon linker solves the problem, as no files are ever stored in Community -- only links. Why everyone doesn't use it is a mystery.

 

 

Thanks to the help of all who contributed to this thread I have solved the problem with a combination of 7Zip and the Addon Linker.

I used 7Zip on the Community folder to enable it to be moved to another drive, unzipped it and behold there was the Community folder filled with all my unlocked files. I then set up Addon Linker and MSFS if running perfectly.

I am now looking forward to flying the Ants Tiger Moth to all those minor UK airfields.