Question Trouble with deleting MSIXVC contents

[Tagap1234]

I recently uninstalled Halo MCC through Steam, in order to free some space. Before doing this, I had around 120 GB of free space. However, after uninstalling through Steam, I only had 58 GB of free space.

After doing some heavy research on similar threads, I realized that, somehow, there was a lingering file named "050FBB4D-16E5-42A8-945A-963D007974AA" (four files with the formats File/.xct/.xvi/.xvs) in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\MSIXVC, occupying 134 GB of space, which is related to Halo MCC. I have successfully gained access to this folder and deleted its contents in safe mode. Everything was fine, until I booted back to normal Windows. Somehow, the contents inside the MSIXVC folder (in my case, I only have those four files) stay deleted in safe mode, but keep reappearing after I delete them, every time I boot back with normal settings.

Additionally, in Programs & features, Halo MCC keeps reappearing periodically as well, with a total side of 128 GB. Yet again, each time I try to uninstall it, it keeps reappearing no matter what I do. This is most likely related to the MSIXVC issue.

I'm clueless as to what to do next. I've tried countless methods to delete those files, but none of them has worked. This is really unfortunate, since my laptop only has a 500 GB SSD, and these 134 GB of memory are truly valuable. I really would appreciate any help!

 

[dwd999]

Do you mean the files reappear even if the laptop is not connected to the internet, i.e. that they are not being downloaded again? I find the easiest way to deal with windows files restrictions is to boot up a usb with a linux distro and use that file manager to delete whatever I want. Just be careful not to create any extraneous Trash folders.

 

[Tagap1234]

Do you mean the files reappear even if the laptop is not connected to the internet, i.e. that they are not being downloaded again? I find the easiest way to deal with windows files restrictions is to boot up a usb with a linux distro and use that file manager to delete whatever I want. Just be careful not to create any extraneous Trash folders.

Just tried to disconnect from the internet and then redo the process. After I went back to normal Windows, the files did in fact remain deleted, until I turned my internet back on.

 

[Tagap1234]

Do you mean the files reappear even if the laptop is not connected to the internet, i.e. that they are not being downloaded again? I find the easiest way to deal with windows files restrictions is to boot up a usb with a linux distro and use that file manager to delete whatever I want. Just be careful not to create any extraneous Trash folders.

An extra discovery I came up with:

When I try to delete the files in normal Windows, it says I can't because they're being run in the System. However, when I stop the following services, I am able to delete the files just fine, and they stay deleted until those services start running again:

GamingServices
GamingServicesNet

 

[dwd999]

An extra discovery I came up with:

When I try to delete the files in normal Windows, it says I can't because they're being run in the System. However, when I stop the following services, I am able to delete the files just fine, and they stay deleted until those services start running again:

GamingServices
GamingServicesNet

So the final questions would be: how did those services get there in the first place, did they come from Steam or are they specific to Halo? And are there other programs/games that require those services? If you Disable those services, can you continue using all your other programs and games the way you want?

 

[Tagap1234]

So the final questions would be: how did those services get there in the first place, did they come from Steam or are they specific to Halo? And are there other programs/games that require those services? If you Disable those services, can you continue using all your other programs and games the way you want?

I believe they are from Microsoft Store. The services' folder is "Microsoft.GamingServices_3.60.12001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe", also in WindowsApps.

 

[dwd999]

I believe they are from Microsoft Store. The services' folder is "Microsoft.GamingServices_3.60.12001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe", also in WindowsApps.

That appears to be part of the Xbox system, so the question would be are you playing other xbox games? What happens if you Disable both of those services?

 

[Tagap1234]

That appears to be part of the Xbox system, so the question would be are you playing other xbox games? What happens if you Disable both of those services?

I currently don't play any, although Halo Infinite is a rare occasion. Still, I'm not sure whether disabling the services would be the best idea, since it leaves a lot of margin for other future errors to occur.

 

[dwd999]

I currently don't play any, although Halo Infinite is a rare occasion. Still, I'm not sure whether disabling the services would be the best idea, since it leaves a lot of margin for other future errors to occur.

Well, as long as you know which services are involved and how to Disable or reset them to their prior settings (take notes), I personally would go ahead and Disable them until the time came when I needed them again. But that's just me. Or you could just get a bigger drive.

 

[Tagap1234]

Well, as long as you know which services are involved and how to Disable or reset them to their prior settings (take notes), I personally would go ahead and Disable them until the time came when I needed them again. But that's just me. Or you could just get a bigger drive.

Well, I suppose it's the only thing that can be done until something new arises. Thank you.