Have you ever wondered what software is installed on your computer? Whether you want to clean up your system, troubleshoot a problem, or just satisfy your curiosity, finding out what programs are installed on your computer is an important task. In this tutorial, we will show you different ways to find out what software is installed on your computer.
Using the Control Panel
The easiest way to view the list of installed programs on any Windows computer is by using the Control Panel. Here are the steps:
- Click on the “Start” button located at the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Select “Control Panel.”
- Click on “Programs and Features.”
- A list of all installed programs will be displayed.
Sorting Installed Programs in Control Panel
If you have dozens or even hundreds of programs installed on your computer, finding a specific program can be difficult. Fortunately, there are some sorting options available in the Control Panel that can help you quickly locate a particular program.
- You can sort programs by name, publisher, size, and install date.
- To sort by name: Click on “Name” at the top of the list.
- To sort by publisher: Click on “Publisher” at the top of the list.
- To sort by size: Click on “Size” at the top of the list.
- To sort by install date: Click on “Installed On” at the top of the list.
Using Command Prompt
Another way to find out what software is installed on your computer is by using Command Prompt. Here’s how:
- Click on “Start” and search for “cmd.”
- Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
- Type “wmic” and press Enter.
- Type “product get name” and press Enter.
- A list of all installed programs will be displayed with their names.
Exporting the List of Installed Programs from Command Prompt
If you want to export the list of installed programs from Command Prompt, you can use the following command:
- Type “wmic /output:C:\ProgramList.txt product get name,version” and press Enter.
- The list of installed programs will be saved in a text file named “ProgramList.txt” in the root directory of your C drive. You can open this file with any text editor such as Notepad or WordPad.
Using Third-Party Software
There are several third-party software available that can help you find out what software is installed on your computer. Some popular options include:
- CCleaner: A free system optimization, privacy, and cleaning tool that also lists all installed programs.
- Belarc Advisor: A free system information utility that lists all hardware and software installed on your computer.
- PC Decrapifier: A free tool that helps you remove unwanted programs that come pre-installed with new computers but can also be used to view a list of all installed programs.
The Benefits of Using Third-Party Software
Using third-party software to find out what is installed on your computer has several benefits:
- You can view more detailed information about each program such as the version number, installation date, and size.
- You can export the list of installed programs to a file.
- You can quickly identify and remove unwanted programs.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to find out what software is installed on your computer, you can easily manage your system, troubleshoot issues, and keep track of your installed programs. Whether you use the Control Panel, Command Prompt or third-party software, finding out what is installed on your computer has never been easier.