Solved Find all of my programs so I can move them to W11 computer

Judy in Texas · Apr 22, 2025

On my outgoing W10 computer I ran the PowerShell command that was supposed to find app of my programs. It found a lot of programs and listed them by name and I captured them in a Word file. That list does not show where the files were, so I am not sure it checked the D:\ drive.

I knew it didn't find them all (I didn't see VLC in the list) so I decided to do a bit of a check, starting with the ones that are either on my desktop, the program itself or a link. I first looked for the programs in my most used section of the Desktop: SnippingTool (the original version), VLC, and Paint.net. PowerShell had found only one of these. It did not find Notepad++.

How do I achieve my objective?

Megahertz · Apr 22, 2025

What are you trying to achieve?
If you upgrade the current computer from Win 10 to Win 11 all programs and data will be kept as they are.
If you buy a new computer with Win 11 it will come with the default applications and programs. Other programs, like Firefox or Office, you will need to install. You can't move an installed program from one computer to another. You need to install the programs on the new computer.
For example, Notepad ++ doesn't come with windows (notepad does) but you can download and install it

If you have a link to an application or program, right click on it and choose properties. You will see the path to it.

Berton · Apr 22, 2025

Tip: most all Windows-based programs are not simple to move or copy, when installed they create the program's folder and subfolders on the drive for its files, copy support files to Windows and/or its subfolders, create menu items/shortcuts and write entries in the Registry so Windows knows how to run the programs. The move/copy won't get everything needed to run a program.

LeLibran · Apr 22, 2025

Judy in Texas said:
On my outgoing W10 computer I ran the PowerShell command that was supposed to find app of my programs. It found a lot of programs and listed them by name and I captured them in a Word file. That list does not show where the files were, so I am not sure it checked the D:\ drive.

I knew it didn't find them all (I didn't see VLC in the list) so I decided to do a bit of a check, starting with the ones that are either on my desktop, the program itself or a link. I first looked for the programs in my most used section of the Desktop: SnippingTool (the original version), VLC, and Paint.net. PowerShell had found only one of these. It did not find Notepad++.

How do I achieve my objective?

I'm not sure why you have used Powershell to find a list of installed applications. I would suggest a simpler approach:

1. Check the list of applications listed the in Settings > Apps screen;
2. Check the Apps listed as installed in the Microsoft Store app
3. If there are still applications you use that can't be found at the above locations, e.g. Notepad ++, then they are probably 'portable' versions, and If they are usually launched from Desktop Shortcuts, right-click on the shortcuts and select 'Properties' to see the path to the actual application launcher (exe).

antspants · Apr 22, 2025

I don’t understand, why can’t you simply just look in your Start Menu?
And just in case, I will mention that you can’t just move programs from one PC to another, you have to reinstall them. Unless they’re portable, or you're restoring from a system image to another PC/Drive.

Hazel123 · Apr 22, 2025

It's easier to reinstall them on the next computer, than try and copy any data from them. Were there specific programs you can no longer get easily? Or programs with a lot of data in them you wanted to keep? I think there's a way of copying up/backing up game data eg - to transfer across - but you'd still need to download the program again.

Hazel123 · Apr 22, 2025

antspants said:
I don’t understand, why can’t you simply just look in your Start Menu?
And just in case, you can’t just move programs from one PC to another, you have to reinstall them. Unless they’re portable, or you're restoring from a system image to another PC/Drive.

Or control panel ......... Type control panel into the search box, open it and select "uninstall a program". It won't uninstall anything but takes you to a list of installed programs where you can choose to uninstall some if you wish (which is not your objective I know but it lists installed programs).

antspants · Apr 22, 2025

Hazel123 said:
Or control panel

Yes, correct, Hazel

Helmut · Apr 22, 2025

"How do I achieve my objective?"

Just download all of those Apps and install them on the Windows 11 machine.

No need for any complications like transferring them from a Window 10 machine. Installing most Windows Apps puts files in loads of odd places.

glasskuter · Apr 22, 2025

Keep in mind if you use licensed software, many apps today are linked to the computer hardware. If you have such third party licensed software, that software has to be delicensed and uninstalled from the original machine before you can move your license to another machine. Each licensed software has it's own method to accomplish the de-licensing of one device and new licensing on new device.

TraderGary · Apr 22, 2025

glasskuter said:
Keep in mind if you use licensed software, many apps today are linked to the computer hardware. If you have such third party licensed software, that software has to be delicensed and uninstalled from the original machine before you can move your license to another machine. Each licensed software has it's own method to accomplish the de-licensing of one device and new licensing on new device.

Excellent point! I've been caught by that gotcha more than once and have had to spend time jumping through app support hoops to get it fixed. I now have a list I look at in OneNote before updating/changing hardware.

zbook · Apr 23, 2025

Please run the V2 log collector > post a share link

BSOD - Posting Instructions

BSOD - Posting Instructions This will show you how to help provide needed information about your system and dump files. It will not contain any personal or sensitive information about you or your data. To get better help with your Windows BSOD issue, please read these instructions and follow...

www.elevenforum.com

View the installed-software file.

There is no absolute all but is substantial.

Flashorn · Apr 23, 2025

For the apps (all apps) on the C:drive, open task manager and paste in the New Task section:
shell:AppsFolder
You will find every app installed there:

Will not work for second drive ( storage drive)

Judy in Texas · Apr 23, 2025

Hazel123 said:
It's easier to reinstall them on the next computer, than try and copy any data from them. Were there specific programs you can no longer get easily? Or programs with a lot of data in them you wanted to keep? I think there's a way of copying up/backing up game data eg - to transfer across - but you'd still need to download the program again.

I just need to know what they all are so I can reinstall them.
Yes, I can see them on the Start menu, but if there is a way to list the Start menu, I don't know it.

Judy in Texas · Apr 23, 2025

Megahertz said:
What are you trying to achieve?
If you upgrade the current computer from Win 10 to Win 11 all programs and data will be kept as they are.
If you buy a new computer with Win 11 it will come with the default applications and programs. Other programs, like Firefox or Office, you will need to install. You can't move an installed program from one computer to another. You need to install the programs on the new computer.
For example, Notepad ++ doesn't come with windows (notepad does) but you can download and install it

If you have a link to an application or program, right click on it and choose properties. You will see the path to it.

Megahertz, I just need a list of them so I know what to reinstall.

Judy in Texas · Apr 23, 2025

LeLibran said:
I'm not sure why you have used Powershell to find a list of installed applications. I would suggest a simpler approach:

1. Check the list of applications listed the in Settings > Apps screen;
2. Check the Apps listed as installed in the Microsoft Store app
3. If there are still applications you use that can't be found at the above locations, e.g. Notepad ++, then they are probably 'portable' versions, and If they are usually launched from Desktop Shortcuts, right-click on the shortcuts and select 'Properties' to see the path to the actual application launcher (exe).

LeLibran, 1. I do not see a way to list and print out the items in the Settings>Apps screen. Ctrl+A does not work, holding down the mouse button and trying to select them does not work. Surely there is a way to copy them in a readable format (not as images) but I haven't found it. That is why I tried PowerShell.
2. Many of my programs were installed before the Microsoft Store (my Paint.net, for example).
3. Thank you for the advice about most of the rest having a link on the desktop. I see several that do. I am just trying to not miss anything.

Judy in Texas · Apr 23, 2025

Hazel123 said:
Or control panel ......... Type control panel into the search box, open it and select "uninstall a program". It won't uninstall anything but takes you to a list of installed programs where you can choose to uninstall some if you wish (which is not your objective I know but it lists installed programs).

Yes, I can see the programs, but I cannot select all or any part of the list so that I can check them off. I keep thinking there must be a way to print the list from CP, but I haven't found it.

Berton · Apr 23, 2025

Generally most programs installed will be in Program Files and Program Files (x86) folders on the drive holding the Operating System, should be able to use Snipping Tool to capture the lists

Judy in Texas · Apr 23, 2025

Flashorn said:
For the apps (all apps) on the C:drive, open task manager and paste in the New Task section:
shell:AppsFolder
You will find every app installed there:

Will not work for second drive ( storage drive)

Flashorn, it does indeed produce the most complete list I have seen. But the list is produced as many pages of graphics,( I love that it shows the icons of the programs, not like the image you showed, and, as with everything I have found, I cannot select all and copy it.

glasskuter · Apr 23, 2025

Go Start menu Location C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Take screenshot and then print the screenshot. It will probably require 2 screenshots to show all of them.

If you do not see that folder, you may have to turn on "show hidden files and folders" in file explorer.

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