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- Full Guide to Find the EXE File of a Program on Windows
By Andrea | Follow |
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Any installed programs have executable files on Windows. How can you find the exe file of a program if you need to change some configurations? This post from MiniTool post provides you with several methods to quickly locate the executable file.
The exe file is a kind of executable file that can be run on the computer by clicking it. Sometimes, you need to find the exe file of a program to change the settings of the application. The following is a detailed telling you how to locate a program’s exe file on Windows via the shortcut and other access.
Way 1. Find the Location of an Executable on Windows via the Shortcut
If there is a shortcut to the program on your desktop, you can find the exe file easily with the following steps.
Step 1. Find the shortcut of the program and right-click on it.
Step 2. Choose Open file location from the context menu. The computer will directly open the File Explorer and locate the executable file. To get the specific file location, you can choose Properties from the context menu. The file path is listed under the Shortcut tab.
Way 2. Locate the EXE File of a Program Using the Task Manager
When there is no icon of the program on your desktop and the program is running, you can get its executable file via the Task Manager. Here is how:
Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon and choose Task Manager to open the window.
Step 2. Locate the program and right-click on it to choose Open file location.
You can also find the installed programs in the Start menu on your computer; thus, when there is no shortcut on the desktop, you can try to find the exe file of a program via the Start menu.
Step 1. Click on the Windows icon to open the Start menu.
Step 2. Look through the application list to locate the found software. Right-click on it and choose More > Open file location.
Alternatively, you can directly type the name of the program into the Windows Search box. When the computer displays the best-matched result, you can right-click on it to choose Open file location.
Way 4. Find the Executable File Using File Explorer
This method must work but it could be a time-consuming approach compared with other ways as there are numerous files in File Explorer.
First, press Win + E to open File Explorer directly. Typically, installed software saves their files in the C drive. You can go to C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) to have a check. If you have changed the installation path of the software, head to the corresponding file path to find the executable file.
Bonus Tip: Fix If the Executable File Can’t Be Found
What if you can’t find the executable file properly on your computer? Exe files, similar to other files, are prone to be lost due to various reasons. If you accidentally delete the exe file, you can go to the Recycle Bin to find and recover the executable file from the Recycle Bin.
If you cannot find the executable file in the Recycle Bin, try professional data recovery software to get it back. MiniTool Power Data Recovery is recommended with its robust data recovery algorithm, wide compatibility with file types and devices, and secure data recovery environment. As long as your exe file is not overwritten, you can try MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free to find and recover it.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Final Words
This post shows you four ways to find the exe file of a program on Windows. It could be an easy task when there is a shortcut on the desktop. If you cannot locate the shortcut of the program properly, hope this post gives you some inspiration.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Andrea graduated in English and has a keen interest in the IT industry and questions that arise when computers are used. She is passionate about new things and challenging things and has a wide range of interests like playing guitar, gaming, and crafting.
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Quick Links
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How to Find an EXE from a Shortcut
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If You Can’t Find a Shortcut to Use
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Where are EXEs for Apps From the Microsoft Store Located?
Summary
- Locate an EXE file from a shortcut by opening its properties window and clicking «Open File Location.»
- If a shortcut is not available, check «C:\Program Files» or appdata folder for the application’s main program folder.
- EXEs for apps from the Microsoft Store are located in «C:\Program Files\WindowsApps,» but we do not recommended to modify or take ownership of this folder.
If you’re doing advanced troubleshooting or configuration of a Windows 10 application and need to locate the program’s EXE file in File Explorer, there’s a quick way to do it if you have access to a shortcut. Here’s how.
How to Find an EXE from a Shortcut
First, locate a shortcut that points to the application whose EXE you need to find, because you will need to open its properties window. If the shortcut is on your desktop, right-click it and select «Properties.»
If the shortcut is pinned to your taskbar, right-click it, then right-click its name again in the menu that pops up just above it. In the menu that appears, click «Properties.»
If the shortcut is in your «Start» menu, you have more hoops to jump through (and this method only works with traditional Windows Desktop Apps and not UWP apps). Right-click the «Start» menu shortcut for the application, and select More > Open file location.
This will open a File Explorer window that points to the actual application shortcut file. Right click on that shortcut, and select «Properties.»
No matter how you located the shortcut, a properties window will appear. Make sure you’re on the «Shortcut» tab, then click «Open File Location.»
You’ll be taken directly to the EXE’s location in File Explorer.
What you do next depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Just be careful in there—modifying or moving a program’s files can make it not work properly.
If You Can’t Find a Shortcut to Use
If a shortcut to the program whose EXE you want to find isn’t easily available, you should first check «C:\Program Files» or «C:\Program Files (x86)» on your machine to find the application’s main program folder. Look for a folder with a name similar to the publisher of the program, or the name of the application itself. Open it, and you might find the EXE you’re looking for inside.
Other programs install to locations in your appdata folder. To open your appdata folder, launch File Explorer, then enter %appdata% in the address bar.
There is no hard and fast rule about what apps will install to one of the Program Files folders and which will install to the appdata folder, though most install to Program Files.
Where are EXEs for Apps From the Microsoft Store Located?
Apps you install from the Microsoft Store, and their executables, are stored in «C:\Program Files\WindowsApps.»
The WindowsApp folder has very restricted permissions applied to it that will prevent regular user accounts (and even administrator accounts) from even viewing the contents by default. You can take ownership of the folder if you want, but we don’t recommend it—it could cause issues with the apps.
If you’ve ever worked with the Windows operating system, especially in a programming context, you might have used the Process.Start(yourapp) (e.g. Process.Start(Outlook)) method in languages like C#.
This method is used to start a process — essentially to run an executable file. But have you ever stopped to think about how Windows knows where to find the executables you’re trying to run? Let’s dive into the inner workings of Windows and uncover this mystery.
Understanding the PATH Environment Variable
One of the first things that come into play is the PATH environment variable. This variable is crucial for the operating system to locate the executables.
What is the PATH Variable?
The PATH environment variable is a system-wide or user-specific setting that lists directories where executable files are stored. When you run a command in the command prompt or use Process.Start(...), Windows looks through these directories to find the executable file.
The PATH environment variable can be viewed via the system settings:
… there is also a nice editor now build into Windows for the PATH environment variable:
How Does PATH Work?
If the executable is not in the current directory, Windows searches through each directory specified in the PATH variable. The order of directories in PATH is important — Windows searches them in the order they are listed. If it finds the executable in one of these directories, it runs it.
However, the PATH variable isn’t the only mechanism at play here.
The Role of App Paths in the Windows Registry
Another less-known but equally important component is the “App Paths” registry key. This key is located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths.
Understanding App Paths
The App Paths key is used to specify paths to specific applications. Each application can have its entry under the App Paths key, which means that Windows can find and run these applications even if their directories are not listed in the PATH variable.
How Do App Paths Work?
When you use Process.Start(...) and specify an application name like “OUTLOOK”, Windows first checks the App Paths registry key before it checks the PATH variable. If it finds an entry for the application here, it uses this path to start the application. This is particularly useful for applications that are not in common directories or have multiple executables in different locations.
Conclusion
Both PATH and App Paths play significant roles. While PATH is great for general-purpose directory searching (especially for system utilities and command-line tools), App Paths is more specific and tailored for individual applications.
There are probably even more options out there besides PATH and App Paths — Windows is full of hidden gems like this 😉.
Fun fact: I only discovered App Paths while debugging a problem. We use Process.Start(OUTLOOK) to start Microsofts Outlook Client and I was wondering why this even works.
Hope this helps!
Table of contents
- Where Are the Executive Files for the Apps from the Microsoft Store Located?
- How to Find EXE Files on Windows 10/11?
- Method 1: Use the program’s shortcut
- Method 2: Use the Task Manager
- What if You Can’t Find the Right Shortcut?
- Method 3: Go through File Explorer
- Method 4: Go through the Start menu
- What if the Search Function in the Start Menu Is Faulty?
- Solution 1: Allow background applications
- Solution 2: Rebuild the search index
- Solution 3: Reinstall the Start menu
- Solution 4: Check for faulty system files and replace them
- Solution 5: Use a different user account
- Solution 6: Run a full malware scan
- How to Quickly Find a Program’s EXE File in Windows 10/11: Answered
- FAQ
Finding the exact location of an executable file can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a digital haystack—but it doesn’t have to be.There is a quick and easy way to locate a program’s EXE file—and if this doesn’t work, we have a few workarounds for you. Let’s get right to it. Here’s how to find EXE files on Windows 10 and 11.
Where Are the Executive Files for the Apps from the Microsoft Store Located?
By default, the apps you download from the Microsoft Store, along with their executable files, are stored in the following directory: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. The WindowsApps folder has strict access controls. This prevents most users (including administrators) from accessing and even viewing its contents. You can change this by taking ownership of the folder, but this is generally not advised as you will be risking having issues with your installed apps.
Also read:Where Are Microsoft Store Apps and Games Installed on Windows 10/11?
How to Find EXE Files on Windows 10/11?
Method 1: Use the program’s shortcut
This first method is as simple as right-clicking the app’s desktop shortcut and selecting Open file location from the context menu. You can also right-click the shortcut, select Properties , and then click on the Open File Location button under the Shortcut tab of the Properties dialog window.
Method 2: Use the Task Manager
Secondly, you can easily open the installation folder of any program by going through the Task Manager. Note that the program has to be running for this to work.
Follow these steps:
- Press the Ctrl, Shift, and Esc keys together while the program is running to open the Task Manager.
- After the Task Manager opens, click on More details if you don’t see the Processes tab.
- Now, locate the program under the Processes tab, right-click it, and then select Open file location in the context menu.
Also read:Ultimate Guide: How to Set Priority Using Windows Task Manager
What if You Can’t Find the Right Shortcut?
Method 3: Go through File Explorer
The next method involves using File Explorer. All you have to do is launch File Explorer by pressing the Windows and E keys simultaneously and then navigate to any of these paths:
C:\Program Files
C:\Program Files (x86)
Open the folder named after the program you’re looking for to locate its executable file.
Also read:Windows File Explorer Not Responding? Try These Solutions
The forth method for finding the path or location of any executable application in Windows 10/11 is going through the Start menu. This is the method to use if you don’t have the app’s desktop shortcut or if the shortcut you have is broken.
Follow these steps:
- Tap the Windows logo keyboard button or click on the Windows logo in the taskbar to open the Start menu.
- Locate the program by typing its name. If the search function isn’t activated automatically, press the Windows + S keyboard buttons together, then perform the search.
- Once you see the program in the search results, right-click it and click on Open file location in the context menu. You’ll have to place your mouse pointer over More in the menu in certain cases.
- A File Explorer window will now show up. There you’ll find the main shortcut file for the application.
- Right-click on the shortcut and select Open file location in the context menu. Alternatively, you can select Properties and then click on the Open File Location button under the Shortcut tab.
- The folder that contains the EXE file will now pop up.
We’re going to show you how to fix Windows 10/11 search when certain apps aren’t showing up in the search menu or when the search goes blank whenever you try to run a search query. There are different solutions to the problem, so follow them one after the other until the issue goes away.
Solution 1: Allow background applications
If you disabled your background apps , the Start menu search cannot update and add certain programs. Allow background apps, then try running the search function to check for the problem. Follow these steps:
- Right-click the Windows logo in the taskbar.
- Select Settings from the Power User menu.
- You can also tap the Windows logo and S keyboard buttons simultaneously to launch the Settings application.
- After Settings opens, click on Privacy.
- Go to the left side of the next screen, scroll down, and then click on Background apps .
