How to Get a List of All Software Installed on Windows

When managing your Windows system, having a comprehensive list of all installed software can be incredibly useful, especially when you need to reinstall software or switch to a new PC. Here are several methods to generate such a list, each with its own advantages and steps.

Using Command Prompt

One of the most straightforward methods to get a list of all installed software is by using the Command Prompt. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press the Enter button.
   • Alternatively, right-click on the Start button and select “Run as administrator” under Command Prompt.

2. Run the Command:

   • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press the Enter button:

     wmic /output:C:\InstalledSoftwareList.txt product get name,version
     

   • This command will scan your system and save the list of installed software in a text file at the specified location. You can change the file path to suit your needs.

3. Alternative Command for CSV Output:

• If you prefer a CSV file, you can use the following command:

  wmic product get name,version /format:csv > C:\Computername%.csv
  

• This will include your PC name in the file name, which is useful if you are tracking software on multiple PCs.

Using PowerShell

For those who prefer using PowerShell, here’s how you can generate the list:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

   • Press Win + R, type powershell, and press the Enter button.
   • Alternatively, press Win + X and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.

2. Run the Command:

   • In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press the Enter button:

     Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Select-Object -Property Name > C:\InstalledSoftwareList.txt
     

   • This command uses Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to get the list of installed software. If some software is not listed, you can use a more comprehensive command:

     Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, InstallDate | Format-Table -AutoSize > C:\InstalledSoftwareList.txt
     

   • Customize the file path as needed.

Using CCleaner

If you prefer a graphical interface, you can use CCleaner to get the list of installed software:

1. Install and Open CCleaner:

   • Download and install CCleaner if you haven’t already.
   • Open CCleaner from the Start menu.

2. Navigate to the Uninstall Tab:

   • In CCleaner, go to the “Tools” menu on the left pane and select the “Uninstall” tab.

3. Save the List:

• In the Uninstall tab, click on the “Save to text file” button at the bottom-right corner.
• Select the destination and name of the file, then click the “Save” button to save the list.

Using GeekUninstaller

GeekUninstaller is another tool that can help you generate a list of installed software:

1. Download and Open GeekUninstaller:

   • Download GeekUninstaller and extract it.
   • Execute the application (no installation required).

2. Save the List:

   • In the GeekUninstaller window, select all the programs.
   • Choose the option “Save as HTML” and select a destination to save the file.

Additional Tips

• Portable Software: Note that these methods typically do not include portable software and apps since they are not technically installed. You will need to manually write these down.
• System Drive Inspection: If you need to get a list of installed programs from a system drive that won’t boot, you can inspect the C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86) directories, though some programs may be installed elsewhere.
• License Keys: If you also need to include license keys in your list, consider using specialized software that can extract this information.

By using these methods, you can efficiently generate a comprehensive list of all the software installed on your Windows system, making it easier to manage and reinstall software as needed.