How to Check Installed Software in Windows 10: Built-In Tools for Instant Insight

Checking installed software in Windows 10 just got easier than ever—no third-party tools required. ⚡ I’ve helped countless folks track down rogue programs and verify licenses using these built-in methods, and they work faster than you’d think.

The Settings app alone gives you a clean, searchable list with uninstall options, while PowerShell can pull detailed info in seconds for the technically curious.

For most users, the Settings > Apps route is the smoothest path. It’s beginner-friendly, visual, and includes handy filters like date installed or app size. Advanced users will love PowerShell’s Get-Package command—it spits out publisher details, version numbers, and even installation paths without leaving your terminal.

Both methods avoid permission errors that plague older tools like wmic.

You’ll walk away knowing exactly what’s on your system, whether you’re troubleshooting conflicts, verifying licenses, or just curious about that mysterious background process. The best part? These tools work across Windows 10 versions, from the original 2015 release to the last updates.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process that’s saved me hours of guesswork.

Pro tip: If you spot missing entries, try running Command Prompt as admin—some system apps hide until you elevate privileges. And for the vintage software collectors out there (like my ThinkPad stash), PowerShell’s -IncludeWindowsInstaller flag reveals those old MSI installs that Settings skips. Ready to clean up your software list?

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for reviewing installed applications in Windows 10

Here's how to quickly audit your software inventory using built-in Windows tools.

Press the Windows key, type Apps & features, and select the top result. This central hub shows every installed program with its size, version, and uninstall option. I always start here because it provides a clean, chronological list of everything currently running on your system.

If you don't see a program you expect, click Manage optional features at the top. This reveals system components and Windows Store apps that might not appear in the main list. The Apps & features panel updates in real-time, so changes appear immediately after installation or removal.

Navigate to Settings > System > Apps & features for an alternative view. Here, you'll find the same list but with additional controls like Advanced options for troubleshooting. Click any application to see its install date, publisher, and install location. This is particularly useful for identifying suspicious programs.

For a deeper dive, select Programs and Features from the left sidebar. This opens the classic Control Panel view, which includes legacy software and system components that modern Windows versions sometimes hide. The Uninstall/Change button here is your direct path to modifications for any listed application.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search for cmd, right-click, and choose Run as administrator). Type wmic product get name,version and press Enter. This generates a text list of all installed software with their versions—perfect for documentation or troubleshooting. The command works instantly, but some system components may appear with generic names.

For a more detailed report, use Get-AppxPackage in PowerShell. This PowerShell cmdlet lists Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps with their package family names and versions. Run Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName to see all installed modern apps. This is especially helpful when dealing with Windows Store applications that don't appear in traditional lists.

Press Windows + R, type shell:programs, and hit Enter. This opens the Program Files directory in File Explorer, showing all installed applications organized by folder. Navigate to Program Files (x86) for 32-bit applications, even if running on a 64-bit system. This method reveals software that might be hidden in the system or running in compatibility mode.

For portable applications, check PortableApps folders or AppData\Local\Programs. Some applications install silently without appearing in the main lists. Right-click any executable and select Properties to verify the publisher and file version. This manual check ensures you don't miss anything the automated tools might overlook.

Tips & tricks for perfect Windows software audits

These insider techniques will help you uncover every last detail about your software inventory—no third-party tools required.

Step 1 Enhancement: When you open the Apps & features panel in Step 1, sort the list by install date (click the column header) to spot recently added programs that might be suspicious. I've caught malware this way when unfamiliar apps appeared with no memory of installation. Also, take a screenshot of the full list before making any changes—it creates a backup reference if something goes wrong.

Command Line Power: In Step 3, the wmic product get name,version command is your secret weapon for legacy applications. For even more detail, append ,installlocation to see where each program lives on your system. This is particularly useful when troubleshooting missing shortcuts or verifying installations. Pro tip: Save the output to a text file by adding > softwarelist.txt to the command for permanent records.