Windows: "Storage issue" Error on Startup
If you see a “Storage issue” message when starting Hedy on Windows, this guide will help you fix it.
Hedy 3.2 update: As of version 3.2, Hedy stores its local database in
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Hedy\instead of your Documents folder. This means Windows Defender Controlled Folder Access no longer interferes with Hedy’s database for new installs. If you were manually excluding the Documents folder as a workaround in earlier versions, you can remove that exclusion after updating. The steps below still apply if you’re on an older version, or if something else is blocking the new location.
What Causes This Error?
Hedy stores your sessions in a local database file. On older versions (pre-3.2) this lived in your Documents folder, and the most common cause of the “Storage issue” warning was Windows Ransomware Protection (also called Controlled Folder Access), a security feature that blocks unknown apps from modifying files in protected folders like Documents. As of Hedy 3.2, the database moved to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Hedy\, so this specific block is no longer an issue for most users. If you’re still seeing the error, one of the causes below is likely.
Solution: Allow Hedy Through Ransomware Protection
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Step 1: Press the Windows key and type Windows Security, then open it
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Step 2: Click Virus & threat protection
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Step 3: Scroll down and click Manage ransomware protection
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Step 4: Click Allow an app through Controlled folder access
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Step 5: Click Add an allowed app, then select Browse all apps
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Step 6: Navigate to where Hedy is installed and select hedy.exe
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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?
As of Hedy 3.2, the session database is stored at:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Hedy\hedy_sessions.db
You can open this folder directly by pressing Win + R and typing %LOCALAPPDATA%\Hedy.
On installs that were never upgraded past 3.1, the database may still live at the older location:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Hedy\hedy_sessions.db
The new location is used because it’s outside of folders protected by Windows Ransomware Protection, persists across app updates, and doesn’t interfere with OneDrive sync.
Still having trouble? Contact us through the chat widget and include any error messages you see. We’re happy to help!
