Program files are software applications that are installed in the computer.

Both these folders save program files of the software installed on your computer. However, there is a slight similarity that differentiates them from each other. Also, you must not move these folders across shredder tools to clean your drive; or you can lose essential files.

Program Files vs. Program Files (x86)

If you use 64-bit Windows operating systems, you might have seen Program Files and Program Files (x86) in the system drive.

When you're installing a new program, sometimes you don't pay attention to where it's actually going. While this isn’t usually a big deal, you sometimes need to know the installation folder or path of a program on your Windows PC. Browsing through dozens of folders isn’t ideal, so you need a more practical method that quickly gets you to the root directory of a program.

The program's installation directory is typically located somewhere within the Program Files folder on your system, but locating the correct folder can be time taking. Read on as we list the different ways you can use to find the install location of a program on Windows.

1. How to Find the Location of a Program Using the Start Menu

One of the easiest methods of finding the install location of a program is through the Start menu. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Launch the Start menu and locate the program's icon whose install location you need to find. If you don’t immediately see it, you might have to search for the program.

2. Right-click on the program icon, and click on Open file location.
3. In the folder that opens, right-click the required program’s icon and click on Open file location one final time.
4. You should now be in the installation folder of the program.

2. Find the Installation Folder of a Program Using Its Desktop Shortcuts

Another quick way to find the installation directory of a program or application is to utilize the program’s desktop shortcut. This method will only work if you have an existing shortcut to the program on your desktop.

To find the installation folder of a program using a desktop shortcut:

1. From your desktop, right-click on the program's shortcut.
2. Click on the Properties, and the Properties window should now be displayed.

3. Click on the Shortcut tab, and you will find the installation path in the Target field.

3. Locate the Folder Where a Program Is Installed Using Task Manager

The Windows Task Manager is a powerful system monitor utility tool that allows you to manage running processes on your system. Apart from other conventional uses of the Task Manager, you can also use it to find the installation folder of a program (you might need to launch the program beforehand).

Related: How to Use the Windows Task Manager

Here’s how you can find the installation folder of a program using the Task Manager:

1. Launch the Task Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Task Manager from the context menu.

2. Once the Task Manager is up and running, click on the Details tab to get a list of all currently running background processes and applications.
3. After locating the program you need, right-click and then click on Open file location.
4. A new File Explorer window will open up, and you will have found the program's installation directory.

4. Access the Installation Folder of a Program Using File Explorer

If for some reason, you want to take a more grueling approach to find the installation folder of a program, you can do so by browsing the main installation directory on your system.

It is important to note that you might not find it in the main installation directory if you had previously chosen a different installation directory while installing the program.

To find where a program is located using the File Explorer:

1. Open the File Explorer using the icon on the Start menu or by pressing Win + E.
2. Navigate to This PC and click on the drive where Windows is installed (typically the C Drive).

3. Navigate to Program Files > Program Files (x86) and then scroll the list of folders until you find one with the program name you’re looking for.

Finding a Program Install Location Made Easy

Knowing where a program is installed on your system can come in handy when you need to access its folder. Luckily, there are several ways to find the installation directory of a program.

If you're big on file and folder management, why not get an alternative for File Explorer? There are some excellent candidates out there, and some of them are even open source.

What is Program Files and data files?

Should apps be installed in Program Files?

What happens when a software is installed?