When it comes to viewing all installed apps on your Windows 10 PC, there are two options. You can use the Start menu or navigate to Settings > System > Apps & features section to view all installed apps as well as classic desktop programs.
The above mentioned methods are not definitely useful when you want to view and launch all installed apps from one place. Although the Start menu displays all installed apps and programs, you need to scroll up/down to view all apps/programs. While you can see all apps in Settings > System > Apps & features, you can’t launch apps from there and navigating to Apps & features section does take a couple of clicks.
The best way to view all installed apps in Windows 10
Wouldn’t it be great if it was possible to add all installed programs and apps to a single folder and launch apps/programs from there? Luckily, in Windows 10, there is an option to view all installed apps from one place and you can launch apps from there.
Step 1: Open Run command box. To do this, simultaneously press Windows logo and R keys on the keyboard.
Step 2: Type the following command in the box and then press Enter key to open Applications folder which displays all installed apps as well as classic desktop programs.
Shell:AppsFolder
From here, you can open apps/programs, pin or unpin them to Start/taskbar, or even initiate Uninstall process.
Tip: You don’t need to enter the above command each time to view all installed apps. The Run command will save this command and displays the last used command when you open it. You just need to open Run command box and press Enter key.
Miles Webster says
I know this is old but in case someone else stumbles upon this I would like to answer the question by Dummy User posted on My 4th 2018. It does not look like it was answered. His or her question was:
When I do this, I am getting below message. Any idea how to fix this? Thanks for your time.
C:\Users\Alienware>Shell:AppsFolder
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
This command is not application in the way most people thing of it. When the command is executed through Run prompt – or from the address toolbar if you have it enabled – system knows the context and responds accordingly. You need to preface the command with “Start”. Try typing the following command:
start shell:appsfolder
Adding “start” before the command should work correctly. It is worthwhile look up this command as you can easily do quite a few things with it. Interestingly this command often will not work from the run prompt.
Barbara Rogers says
Tried to install Office Home & Student on PC & it failed. Tried to go to website BMS Innovations recommended & was informed website could not be found. Called an 800 number that was listed & it turned out to be a scam. Went to Microsoft & it tells me that my activation code has been used. Also said installed but I can’t find it.
Lowell Burns says
How come my family tree app has disappeared off of my page
Lee Russell says
Thank you for this solution! It allows me to see ALL apps, including older versions that I still prefer (Paint versus Paint 3D, for example.)
FYI, you can automate this using a simple batch file:
Open a plain text editor like Notepad. Type in the following:
@echo off
start Shell:AppsFolder
Save this with an appropriate name, such as “All Apps.bat”. The name can be anything you want, just be sure to end it with the “.bat” extension. Place it on your desktop or in the start menu.
Now, you can view all programs by double-clicking on the batch file icon.
Ian Bartlett says
when I open Applications millions appear, most of which I do not know anything about. It is the same in Task Manager. Two questions: One, how to know which apps I do not need? Two, how to identify Antivirus apps? Or rather, how to identify which apps are causing Restore to notwork properly?
Dummy User says
When I do this, I am getting below message. Any idea how to fix this? Thanks for your time.
C:\Users\Alienware>Shell:AppsFolder
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.