If you see a "Storage issue" message when starting Hedy on Windows, this guide will help you fix it.
What Causes This Error?
Hedy stores your sessions in a database file located in your Documents folder. When Windows blocks Hedy from writing to this location, you'll see the "Storage issue" warning. The most common cause is Windows Ransomware Protection (also called Controlled Folder Access), a security feature that blocks unknown apps from modifying files in protected folders like Documents.
Solution: Allow Hedy Through Ransomware Protection
Step 1: Press the Windows key and type Windows Security, then open it
Step 2: Click Virus & threat protection
Step 3: Scroll down and click Manage ransomware protection
Step 4: Click Allow an app through Controlled folder access
Step 5: Click Add an allowed app, then select Browse all apps
Step 6: Navigate to where Hedy is installed and select hedy.exe
Step 7: Restart Hedy
Note: If you don't see the "Controlled folder access" option, this feature may be turned off on your system, which means something else is causing the issue. See the other causes below.
Other Possible Causes
If the above solution doesn't work, try these alternatives:
OneDrive Sync
If your Documents folder is synced to OneDrive, the sync process may be blocking write access. Try pausing OneDrive sync temporarily, or check if your Documents folder path shows "OneDrive" in it.
Third-Party Antivirus
Security software like Norton, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, or others may block Hedy from writing files. Check your antivirus logs for blocked actions and add Hedy to the allowed apps list.
Folder Permissions
In rare cases, your Windows user account may not have write permission to the Documents folder. Right-click your Documents folder, select Properties, go to the Security tab, and verify you have "Modify" or "Full control" permission.
Where Does Hedy Store Data?
Hedy stores your session database at:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Hedy\hedy_sessions.db
This location is used because it's accessible, backed up by most backup solutions, and persists across app updates.
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