How to Check Installed Software in Windows 10: Instant Access via Settings or Command Line

To check installed software in Windows 10, you don’t need to dig through folders or guess what’s running—just open Settings or fire up a command prompt. ✨ I’ve used both methods hundreds of times, and the right one depends on whether you want a quick visual list or a detailed technical breakdown.

The Settings route is foolproof for most users, while the command line gives you granular control when you need to troubleshoot or audit software silently.

For the Settings method, head to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features—it’s the fastest way to see every program installed on your system, from Microsoft Office to that one game you forgot about. Need more details?

Click the three dots next to any app to see its size, install date, and version number. If you’re missing something, this is where you’ll spot it first.

The command line, on the other hand, uses wmic product get name in Command Prompt or Get-Package in PowerShell for a raw, exportable list—ideal if you’re scripting or dealing with enterprise software.

Here’s where most people trip up: admin rights. Without them, some tools won’t show everything, especially system-level software. Also, third-party apps sometimes hide in their own folders—like Steam games or browser extensions—so cross-check if you’re hunting for something specific.

Once you’ve got the full list, you’ll know exactly what’s taking up space or slowing down your system. Ready to dive in?

Both methods work across all Windows 10 versions, but the command line gives you version-specific quirks to watch for. For example, Get-WmiObject Win32_Product in PowerShell used to trigger repairs—now it’s deprecated, so stick with Get-Package for reliability.

Whether you’re decluttering or debugging, this is the first step to taking control of your software. Let’s get started.

What you need

Step-by-Step guide to viewing installed programs in Windows 10

Here's the quickest way to inventory your applications—whether you're troubleshooting or just curious.

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, then navigate to Apps > Apps & features. This displays all installed programs in a clean, alphabetized list with their sizes and install dates. The search bar here is particularly useful—type the name of any application to locate it instantly.

Click any entry to reveal Uninstall, Modify, or Advanced options. For system apps, you'll see Advanced options instead, which often links to the app's store page or support site. This method works best for modern UWP apps and traditional Win32 programs alike.

Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu, then switch to Large icons view and select Programs and Features. This classic view shows applications with their publisher names, install dates, and version numbers—critical details for troubleshooting compatibility issues.

Here's the thing—this method sometimes misses modern Windows Store apps. If you don't see an application listed here, it's likely a UWP app. The Settings > Apps method from Step 1 will catch those. For system components, you'll need the command line approach in Step 3.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Windows Terminal (Admin). Type wmic product get name,version,vendor and press Enter. This lists every installed application with its version and vendor information—perfect for identifying outdated software or verifying licenses.

For a more detailed breakdown, use systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"System Type" /C:"HotFix(s)". This reveals system components and updates, including service packs and critical patches. Save the output to a text file by appending > software_report.txt to the command for future reference.

For power users, tools like Belarc Advisor or Speccy provide comprehensive software inventories with hardware details. Download Belarc Advisor from their official site, run the executable, and it generates a detailed report of your entire system—including installed software, security settings, and even license keys for some applications.

I always recommend running these tools on a test system first. Some third-party tools may flag legitimate software as "unauthorized" due to license detection quirks. Cross-reference any warnings with your purchase receipts or the vendor's support site before taking action.

Tips & tricks for instant Windows 10 software inventory

These insider techniques will help you navigate Windows 10's software inventory like a seasoned IT pro—saving you hours of frustration.

System App Detection: The Settings app (Step 1) excels at finding modern UWP apps, but misses many traditional Win32 programs. For complete coverage, always cross-reference with the Control Panel method (Step 2). I've caught hidden system utilities this way that even third-party tools missed—like that obscure printer driver you forgot you installed.

Command Line Pro Tip: When using the WMIC command in Step 3, add | more to the end to paginate results if you have many applications. This prevents overwhelming your screen with hundreds of lines at once. For even better organization, redirect output to a CSV file with wmic product get name,version,vendor > softwarelist.csv—this creates a sortable spreadsheet you can analyze later.