Are you using Bugfix version 6b? You are not getting the necessary fixes to the mod system. Since you are not listing any errors when opening the Mods menu, this eliminates various OS and folder permissions problems, so there should be no need to change locations. Also no errors listed for when installing the Bugfix indicates no folder permissions problems.
The data in the user/app data folder is almost always safe from corruption and does not need to be deleted. Deleting the Strive program folder after a failed install is a good practice to avoid using corrupt files. Deleting only the backup folder is a good way to make the current state of your game files permanent, as the game will use the current game files to create new ones, though this is rarely advisable as it can cause problems when installing mods. The mods can be extracted into the Strive mods folder at any time before the start of the game as they only affect the install process and game files if they are selected when Apply is pressed.
Viewing post in Aric's Expansion Rebred
Yes I am using bugfix 6b. I only receive errors when applying the Aric's expansion mod.
I did noticed something when going through the errors
Additional Mod Installation Information:
These are not errors, but may indicate the source of install problems
ERROR: copy: Failed to open res://backup/.import/woman_crawl_clothed.png-dc9866f9e7d4695632e4160db759c118.md5
At: core/os/dir_access.cpp:307
ERROR: Copying backup file res://.import/woman_crawl_clothed.png-dc9866f9e7d4695632e4160db759c118.md5 Error code(7): File: not found
ERROR: copy: Failed to open res://backup/.import/woman_crawl_clothed.png-dc9866f9e7d4695632e4160db759c118.stex
At: core/os/dir_access.cpp:307
ERROR: Copying backup file res://.import/woman_crawl_clothed.png-dc9866f9e7d4695632e4160db759c118.stex Error code(7): File: not found
ERROR: copy: Failed to open res://files/aric_expansion_images/abils/panic.png.import
At: core/os/dir_access.cpp:307
ERROR: Patching file res://files/aric_expansion_images/abils/panic.png.import Error code(7): File: not found
ERROR: copy: Failed to open res://files/aric_expansion_images/backgrounds/eeriegrove.png.import
At: core/os/dir_access.cpp:307
ERROR: Patching file res://files/aric_expansion_images/backgrounds/eeriegrove.png.import Error code(7): File: not found
ERROR: copy: Failed to open res://files/aric_expansion_images/backgrounds/elvenforest.png.import
At: core/os/dir_access.cpp:307
ERROR: Patching file res://files/aric_expansion_images/backgrounds/elvenforest.png.import Error code(7): File: not found
ERROR: copy: Failed to open res://files/aric_expansion_images/backgrounds/marshlands.png.import
At: core/os/dir_access.cpp:307
ERROR: Patching file res://files/aric_expansion_images/backgrounds/marshlands.png.import Error code(7): File: not found
ERROR: copy: Failed to open res://files/aric_expansion_images/backgrounds/newamberroad.png.import
At: core/os/dir_access.cpp:307
ERROR: Patching file res://files/aric_expansion_images/backgrounds/newamberroad.png.import Error code(7): File: not found
Does this explain anything?
Part of the fixes to the mod system was changing an incorrect directory function which prevented the mod system from creating new folders when patching, which is the source of the errors when patching files to aric_expansion_images. Manually adding that folder will remove those errors, but it's not a reasonable solution.
It's possible your backup folder is corrupt from deleting it but keeping the rest of the program folder while Aric's mod was installed, but using a fresh extraction of the game would solve that. Any permissions issues would raise errors long before the mods were applied.
Also your copied messages are self contradictory as you copied it incorrectly.
The Windows explorer can be used to create folders within the Strive program folder instead of waiting for the mod system to create them. There are folders within ".../Strive/mods/AricsExpansion/patch/" that do not correspond to folders within the Strive program folder. For instance, in "res://files/aric_expansion_images/abils/panic.png.import" from the the errors you just gave "res://" refers to your Strive program folder, which contains the "files" folder. However there will not be the folders "aric_expansion_images/abils" within that folder, so the panic png.import file cannot be copied to there.
Edit: Many of your errors are a missing folder in the backup folder "res://backup/.import".
If you downloaded Strive from somewhere other than itch.io then it's possible your game folder is corrupt, which would explain the contradictions in how the mod system interacts with your Strive program folders.
Otherwise there have been rare cases where a computer has weird permissions everywhere and the best solution is to put the game folder in the roaming folder beside the game's user data folder since this usually provides all necessary permissions to edit files and folders.