Find Installed Apps and Desktop Programs in Windows 11 and 10

To find installed apps and desktop programs in Windows 11 or Windows 10, open the Start menu and click “All apps” (Windows 11) or “All apps” in the left pane (Windows 10) to see an alphabetical list of everything installed. For a more detailed view with sizes and the ability to uninstall, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10). This article explains every built-in method, how to filter and sort, and what to do when a program doesn’t show up.

Why the Start Menu Doesn’t Show Everything

The Start menu’s app list is designed for quick access, but it intentionally hides some items. System components, background services, and portable apps (programs you run from a folder without installing) often don’t appear. Also, 32-bit and 64-bit programs are listed together, but some legacy apps may only appear under “Windows System” or in a specific folder. If you can’t find a program in Start, it may still be installed—you just need to look in the right place.

Method 1: Start Menu “All Apps” List

This is the fastest way to see what’s installed.

Windows 11: Click the Start button (or press the Windows key), then click “All apps” in the top-right corner of the Start menu. The list is alphabetical, with folders for apps like “Accessories” and “Windows Tools.”
Windows 10: Click Start, then click “All apps” in the upper-left corner (it looks like a list icon). The list is alphabetical, and you can scroll or click a letter to jump.

This list includes both traditional desktop programs (like Microsoft Word) and Microsoft Store apps (like Spotify). It does not show portable apps or programs that don’t register themselves with Windows.

Method 2: Settings > Apps (Best for Management)

For a complete, sortable list with sizes and uninstall options, use the Settings app.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10).
Use the search box to filter by name, or use the sort dropdown to order by size, install date, or name.
Click the three-dot menu (Windows 11) or the app name (Windows 10) to uninstall, modify, or move the app.

This view shows all apps that registered with the system, including hidden ones. You can also see the install date and total size, which helps identify bloatware. Note that some system components (like .NET Framework) appear here but shouldn’t be uninstalled.

Method 3: Control Panel (Legacy Programs Only)

If you’re looking for classic desktop programs, the Control Panel’s “Programs and Features” is still available.

Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.
This opens a list of installed desktop programs (not Store apps).
You can sort by name, publisher, install date, or size.

This is useful for older programs that don’t appear in Settings. However, it won’t show Microsoft Store apps, and some modern apps are listed in both places.

Method 4: Search Box (Fastest for Known Names)

If you know the name, just type it.

Click the Start button and start typing the program’s name (e.g., “Photoshop”).
Windows will show matching apps at the top of the results.
Press Enter to launch, or right-click to pin to Start or taskbar.

Search works for both installed programs and Store apps. If nothing appears, the program may not be installed, or it’s a portable app that wasn’t indexed.

Method 5: File Explorer (For Portable Apps and .exe Files)

Portable apps (like some versions of 7-Zip or a standalone tool) don’t appear in any list because they don’t install. To find them, you need to know where you saved them. Common locations:

C:\Program Files – 64-bit installed programs
C:\Program Files (x86) – 32-bit installed programs on 64-bit Windows
C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Programs – per-user installs (like Discord)

You can also right-click a shortcut and choose “Open file location” to see where the .exe lives. If you have a portable app, you can create a shortcut manually.

Why Some Apps Are Missing and How to Fix It

If a program you installed doesn’t show up anywhere, try these steps:

Check if it’s a portable app: Look in the folder where you extracted it.
Rebuild the Start menu cache: Sometimes the list gets stale. Restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager, or sign out and back in.
Check the registry: If you’re comfortable, open Registry Editor and look at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and the WOW6432Node subkey. If the program is listed there but not in Settings, it may be a broken install.
Reinstall the app: If it’s missing from all lists, reinstall it to re-register it.

Also note that some apps (like certain antivirus tools) hide themselves from the list by design. Check the app’s own interface or its installation folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I see all installed apps in Windows 11?

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. This shows every app that registered with the system, including Store apps and traditional desktop programs. You can search, sort by size, and uninstall directly from here.

Why doesn’t a program show up in the Start menu?

It might be a portable app that wasn’t installed, a system component that’s hidden, or the Start menu cache is stale. Try the Settings list, check the installation folder, or restart Windows Explorer.

How do I find 32-bit programs on 64-bit Windows?

They’re usually installed in C:\Program Files (x86). The Start menu and Settings list show them normally, but if you’re looking for the .exe, check that folder.

Can I see app sizes without opening Settings?

Yes, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and sort by “Size” (Windows 11) or use the “Sort by” dropdown in Windows 10. This shows the disk usage for each app.

What’s the difference between “Apps” and “Programs” in Windows?

“Apps” usually refers to Microsoft Store apps (UWP or MSIX), while “Programs” are traditional desktop applications (Win32). Windows 11’s Settings lists both together, but the Control Panel only shows traditional programs.

How do I find hidden system apps like Control Panel or Command Prompt?

Press the Windows key and type the name, or open the Start menu and look for the “Windows Tools” folder (Windows 11) or “Windows System” folder (Windows 10). These contain administrative tools and legacy system apps.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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