Helping millions of people navigate the world of technology.

How to Find App and Program Location on Windows 11

Quick Tips
  • Using Start Menu: Open the Start Menu > type the app’s name > right-click on it, and select Open file location.
  • Using Desktop Shortcut: Right-click the app’s shortcut > Properties, and check the Target field for the app’s location.
  • Using Task Manager: Go to Task Manager > find the app under the Processes tab > right-click, and choose Open file location.

Method 1: Using the Program Icon

Step 1: Firstly, open your preferred browser. Then, search for the program icon to know what it looks like.

search for the program icon

Step 2: On your PC’s desktop, browse through the list of programs.

Step 3: Right-click on the program icon or shortcut on your desktop and click on Open File Location.

Right-click on the program icon

Once you do this, your computer takes you to the location where the program’s installation file is saved. Try the next method below if this method doesn’t work for you.

Also Read: How to change default download location on Windows 11

Method 2: Using the Start Menu

Step 1: Press the Windows key. Then, type the name of the program you are looking for, and you should see a list of search results.

Step 2: From the result, right-click on the app or program name.

Step 3: Finally, choose Open file location from the drop-down menu.

choose 'Open file location'

After you do this, your computer takes you to the location where it stored the program after installation. If you want to find the app’s location using the traditional method, check out the next method

Method 3: Using the File Explorer

Step 1: Firstly, launch the File Explorer.

Step 2: Click This PC in the left pane of the File Explorer window.

Step 3: Select Local Disk (C:) or OSDisk (C:) from the list of options.

Select Local Disk (C:)

Step 4: You should see two folders: C:Program Files (x86) and C:Program Files.

Double-click any of these directories

Step 5: Double-click any of these directories to open them. Here, you should find the installation folders for different programs.

Step 6: Scroll through the different folders to find the one that you need, and double-click on it to open the folder.

double-click on it

That’s about it. You have successfully determined the installation location of an app or program. If you want to know one more way to find the app’s stored location? continue reading.

Also Read: Top ways to run apps as a different user on Windows 11

Method 4: Using the Task Manager

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard. Then, type Task Manager and click Run as administrator.

Step 2: Then click on the Details tab from the side pane.

Here, you will see a list of all the background processes and applications currently running on the computer.

Step 3: Right-click on any of the applications that you need to find their installation folder.

Step 4: Finally, select the Open file location.

select the 'Open file location'

Your computer will automatically launch the location folder of the selected program’s installation directory. If you have any queries we missed addressing, check out the FAQ section below.

FAQs on Finding App and Program Locations on Windows 11

1. Where are Microsoft Store apps installed?

Microsoft Store apps usually install in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps but remain sandboxed and inaccessible directly.

2. Is it safe to delete files from the Program Files folders?

No, deleting system files from Program Files can break programs. Only delete files you know are safe or from uninstalled programs.

3. Can I change where apps are installed?

Yes, but it’s limited. For Store apps, you can choose the drive in Settings > Storage > Where new content is saved. For desktop programs, some offer installation path options during setup.

4. Can I see a list of all programs installed on my computer?

Yes, go to Settings > Apps & features. You can sort by name, install date, or size.

With this, you can easily troubleshoot issues, manage storage efficiently, and even customize certain aspects of the software.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Last updated on 25 July, 2024

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.