ByWindows 11 users need to know where the programs installed on their system are located. This not only makes troubleshooting easier but also makes tasks like creating shortcuts, backups, or uninstalling programs simpler. Below, we are discussing the 7 best ways to find the location of any program in Windows 11, which are completely practical, easy, and effective.
1. Finding the location of a program from the Start Menu
The Start Menu of Windows 11 is a powerful tool that allows you to access the location of any program.
Steps:
1. Open the Start Menu and type the name of the program whose location you want.
2. When the program appears, right-click on it.
3. Click “Open file location”.
This method will show the location of the shortcut. If you want to see the actual installation folder, click “Open file location” once more.
2. Find the program location using Task Manager
With Task Manager, you can easily know the file location of the running program.
Steps:
1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Go to the “Processes” tab and find the program you want.
3. Right-click on it and select “Open file location”.
This method is especially useful for users who want to know which background apps are running and what their location is.
3. Find the program location using Windows Search
Windows Search is a very fast and accurate way to find any application or folder.
Steps:
1. Press Windows + S and type the name of the program.
2. When the program appears, right-click on it.
3. Select “Open file location”.
If the program is installed from the Microsoft Store, its location may be in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps, which is hidden and protected.
4. Get details of programs from Control Panel
Although Settings dominates in Windows 11, the Control Panel is still useful for some tasks.
Steps:
1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
2. Type `appwiz.cpl` and press Enter.
3. Go to the list of installed programs and right-click on the desired program.
4. If available, go to “Properties” and see the location.
This method is more useful for old Win32 programs.
5. Know the location of the program from Shortcut Properties
If there is a shortcut of that program on the desktop or at any other location, then you can easily see the real location.
Steps:
1. Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties”.
2. Go to the “Shortcut” tab.
3. The location of the program will appear in the “Target” field.
4. You can open the folder by clicking on “Open File Location”.
This method is very easy and reliable.
6. See the location of apps from Settings App
Information about installed apps can also be found from the Settings App in Windows 11.
Steps:
1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
2. Find the app whose location you want to see.
3. Click the three dots (⁝) and click “Advanced Options” or “Move”.
4. This sometimes shows the app’s folder location, especially for Store apps.
Note: This option is not available for all apps.
7. Use the Command Prompt or PowerShell
The command line is the most powerful tool for advanced users.
From the Command Prompt:
1. Open Cmd (preferably as Admin).
2. Type:
“`
where [program-name].exe
“`
Example: `where chrome.exe`
From PowerShell:
1. Open PowerShell.
2. Type:
“`
Get-Command chrome | Select-Object Source
“`
This method works for programs that are included in the system PATH.
Bonus: Use Third-Party Tools
You can also know the location, startup entry and other details of any program through some third-party tools like Everything, Process Explorer, or CCleaner.
Everything: Ultra-fast file indexing tool
Process Explorer: More powerful than Task Manager
CCleaner: This shows the complete list and location of installed programs
Conclusion
In this article, we explained in detail 7 effective ways to know the location of programs in Windows 11. By using these methods, you can gain control over your system, make troubleshooting easier, and identify unnecessary or suspicious programs. search/label/SEO)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – How to find program location in Windows 11
Question 1: Can I see the folder location of Microsoft Store apps in Windows 11?
Answer:
Yes, but it is not easy. Apps installed from the Microsoft Store are usually in the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder. This folder is hidden and System Protected, so you may have to change its permissions.
Question 2: Can the location of every program be found from the Command Prompt?
Answer:
No, the Command Prompt can only tell the location of those programs that are included in the system PATH. Information about all the programs is not available from this.
Question 3: Can the location of background programs be found from Task Manager?
Answer:
Absolutely. By right-clicking on the location of background programs running in Task Manager, you can easily access that folder with “Open file location”.
Question 4: Why should I find the installation folder of a program?
Answer:
Knowing the installation folder allows you to:
Backup
Manually uninstall
Edit a program’s settings
Check for viruses or unwanted programs
Question 5: Can I access the original installation folder from a shortcut?
Answer:
Yes. You can access the original installation folder by right-clicking on any shortcut, going to “Properties” and then “Target”.
Question 6: If a program is hidden, can I see its location?
Answer:
Yes, you need to show hidden files first. To do this, go to File Explorer: View > Show > Enable Hidden items.
Question 7: Are third-party tools safe?
Answer:
Most popular tools like Everything, Process Explorer, and CCleaner are safe if you download them from the official website. Always download any tool from trusted sources.
