Content access

A method comprising:

• search, by an operating system of a computing device, a local store of the computing device that stores other content items, to identify at least one of other content items on a basis of criteria, the at least one other content item being a content item that is not referenced by an access record of an application executing on the computing device, wherein the access record stores references to content items stored on the computing device, the application having an ability to access the content items referenced in the access record and is restricted from accessing the other content items;
• prior to requesting access from the operating system to the at least one of the other content items:
• sending, to the operating system, a request to check to confirm the at least one of the other content items are available;
• receiving, from the operating system, confirmation that the at least one of the other content items are available;
• and
• sending, to the operating system, a time for the operating system to request user authorization to add the available at least one of the other content items to the access record for the application, such that the application is able to access the available at least one of the other content items;
• upon receiving confirmation of the user authorization, accessing the available at least one of the other content items;
• and
• providing the available at least one of the other content items to a user.

One or more computer-readable storage devices comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, direct the processor to perform operations comprising:

• search, by an operating system of a computing device, a local store of the computing device that stores other content items, to identify at least one of other content items on a basis of criteria, the at least one other content item being a content item that is not referenced by an access record of an application executing on the computing device, wherein the access record stores references to content items stored at the computing device, the application having an ability to access the content items referenced in the access record and is restricted from accessing the other content items;
• prior to requesting access from the operating system to the at least one of the other content items:
• sending, to the operating system, a request to check the at least one of the other content items are available;
• receiving, from the operating system, confirmation that the at least one of the other content items are available;
• and
• sending, to the operating system, a time for the operating system to request user authorization to add the available at least one of the other content items to the access record for the application, such that the application is able to access the available at least one of the other content items;
• upon receiving confirmation of the user authorization, accessing the available at least one of the other content items;
• and
• providing the available at least one of the other content items to a user.