I don’t know how to open it and if it is necessary to install it.
Using Steam
By Steam interface:
- Navigate to your Library
- In the search bar, type “content editor” and press launch
By windows explorer:
- Navigate to: SteamLibrary \ steamapps \ common \ Age of Empires IV
- Open “EssenceEditor.exe”
Using Microsoft Store / Xbox app:
- In windows explorer, navigate to: Program Files \ WindowsApps
- In the search bar (top right) type “EssenceEditor” and press enter to start seaching inside all folders
- In the search results you will find “EssenceEditor.exe”, right click it and choose “Open file location”
- In the new window that now appears, you will find “EssenceEditor.exe”
- (optimal) Right click EssenceEditor.exe and choose “Send to desktop (create shortcut)” for faster access in the future
Note: You can’t open the WindowsApps folder by default as it’s locked, follow this tutorial to access it: