Everyday computer usage often involves installing and uninstalling various programs, be it for work, entertainment, or utility. Amidst the rapid pace of these installations, we frequently skip through the prompts, oblivious to the actual location where these applications reside. We’re more concerned about hitting ‘Accept’ on the terms and conditions or the ‘Next‘ button to proceed with the installation. However, there are times when knowing the installation path of a particular program becomes crucial, especially when troubleshooting or making manual modifications. Fortunately, Windows 10 provides users with several ways to track down the exact location of installed software. In this guide, we will unravel multiple methods to help you locate the installation paths of your programs seamlessly.
- Desktop shortcut of the program
- Start menu
- File Explorer
- The Search box of Windows 10
- Task Manager
- Settings app
How to Find a Software Installation Path on Windows 10 using the Program’s Desktop Shortcut?
This method will work if you have a desktop shortcut to the program. The following are the steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, right-click the program’s shortcut icon and select the Properties option.
Step 2. When you see the program’s Properties window, choose the shortcut tab.
Step 3. The program’s installation location will appear beside the “Target” field. Clicking on the “Open File Location” button will directly open the folder where the application is installed on your computer.
After right-clicking on the desktop shortcut icon, select the “Open file location” option in the context menu.
How to View Program’s Installation Location using the Start Menu?
This option is helpful only for those programs or apps when a program’s shortcut is available in the Programs folder under the Start menu. To get the location or path for this, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Click the Start button and right-click on the program or app you want to access the installation path.
Step 2. Then, select the More > Open file location option.
Step 3. The Programs folder will open when you’re done, and select the program shortcut.
Step 4. After that, right-click on that program shortcut and select the Open file location option.
How to Know Program Installation Path using File Explorer?
How to View Program Installation Location using the Search Box of Windows 10?
This method will be helpful for all the apps installed on your computer. To find out the installation path of the software, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Open the Start menu and type the program’s name.
Step 2. In the search results, the program name will appear.
Step 3. Click on the “Open file location” option on the right-side pane.
Alternatively, right-click the program name in the search and choose the “Open file location” option. The exact path of the installed software will open.
How to Find Program Installation Path using the Task Manager?
You can also utilize the Task Manager to find the installation path of an installed program on your computer. Do the following steps:-
Step 1. First, launch the program whose location you want to see on your Windows 10 PC.
Step 2. Then, right-click the blank space of the Taskbar and select the Task Manager option to open up the task manager.
Step 3. If the “Task Manager” is running in compact view mode, right-click on the program name and select the “Open file location” option.
Step 4. If the “Task Manager” runs on full view mode, then switch to the Details tab. After that, right-click the program name and click the “Open file location” option.
How to Find a Program Installation Location Using the Settings app?
The Settings app is also helpful for finding the program’s installation path. To get the location or direction, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the setting app using Windows + I hotkey.
Step 2. When Windows Settings opens, click the Apps category.
Step 3. On the right sidebar, scroll down and click the program you want to view the location.
Step 4. After that, click Modify (if available) or Uninstall button.
Step 5. A small dialog box will open, “This app and its related info will be deleted.” Click the Uninstall button.
Step 6. After doing the above steps, User Account Control (UAC) dialog box will appear on your computer.
Step 7. Click the Show more details link.
Step 8. The location of the installed program will be visible now.
Step 9. Finally, hit the No button in the UAC dialog to exit.
That’s it.
Conclusion
Windows 10 offers a plethora of methods to locate where a particular program has been installed, catering to different user preferences and scenarios. Familiarizing yourself with these methods not only equips you with troubleshooting situations but also helps in optimizing storage and backup processes. Keep exploring and fine-tuning your Windows experience!
