How to Find App and Program Locations on Windows 11
Locating where your apps and programs live can be handy for troubleshooting, cleanup, or digging into configuration files. Windows 11 gives you several quick ways to track down those folders without hunting around your drive.
1. Use the Start Menu Shortcut
- Open the Start menu.
- Right-click the app you want.
- Choose More > Open file location.
- In the File Explorer window that opens, right-click the shortcut and pick Properties.
- The Target field shows the full path to the executable.
This works for most desktop apps you pin to Start.
2. Check Settings > Apps
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to Apps > Installed apps.
- Find your app in the list and click the three-dot menu beside it.
- Select Advanced options.
- Under App add-on and downloadable content, you’ll see the install location.
Some Microsoft Store apps will show their folder here, too.
3. Browse Default Install Folders
Most traditional programs land in one of these folders:
- C:\Program Files for 64-bit apps
- C:\Program Files (x86) for 32-bit apps
- C:\ProgramData for shared data
If you know a program’s name, scan these folders in File Explorer.
4. Use File Explorer Search
- Open File Explorer (Win + E).
- Click the drive where you think the app is installed (usually C:).
- In the search box, type the app’s executable name, for example chrome.exe.
- Let Windows find it and then open its folder.
This is useful when you’re not sure which folder the installer chose.
5. PowerShell Commands
For power users, PowerShell can list installed apps and paths quickly:
- To list all Start menu apps:
powershell
Get-StartApps
- To find a specific program’s path:
powershell
Get-Command <appname> | Select-Object Source
Replace <appname> with the program name, like notepad.
6. Microsoft Store Apps
Store apps live in a hidden system folder. To access them:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click View > Show > Hidden items.
- Navigate to C:\Program Files\WindowsApps.
- Find the folder that matches your app’s name and version.
You’ll need admin rights to open these folders.
With these methods, you can pinpoint any app’s location on Windows 11 in seconds. Whether you’re tweaking settings, cleaning up leftover files, or curious about where an installer put your software, these tips have you covered.
