Efficiently Track Down Recently Installed Programs- A Comprehensive Guide

How do I find recently installed programs?

If you’ve recently installed new software on your computer but can’t remember which ones, finding them can be a bit challenging. However, there are several methods you can use to locate the programs you’ve added to your system. In this article, we’ll explore various ways to find recently installed programs on both Windows and macOS operating systems.

On Windows:

1. Use the Control Panel: One of the simplest ways to find recently installed programs on Windows is by using the Control Panel. Here’s how you can do it:

a. Click on the Start button and type “Control Panel” in the search bar.
b. Open the Control Panel and navigate to “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.”
c. In the list of installed programs, you’ll find the recently installed ones at the top.

2. View the Programs and Features list: Another method is to view the list of installed programs directly from the Programs and Features list:

a. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
b. Type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter.
c. The Programs and Features window will open, displaying a list of all installed programs, including the recently installed ones.

3. Use the Task Manager: The Task Manager can also help you find recently installed programs by showing the list of currently running processes:

a. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
b. Go to the “Details” tab.
c. Look for any unfamiliar programs in the list of running processes. If you find one, it might be a recently installed program.

4. Check the installation directory: You can also search for the installation directory of the program to find its location on your computer:

a. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
b. Type “%ProgramFiles%” or “%ProgramFiles(x86%)” (depending on your system architecture) and press Enter.
c. Navigate to the specific program’s folder and look for any recent installations.

On macOS:

1. Use the App Store: If you installed the program through the Mac App Store, you can easily find it by checking the purchased list:

a. Open the Mac App Store.
b. Click on your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
c. Select “Purchased” from the dropdown menu.
d. You’ll see a list of all the apps you’ve purchased, including the recently installed ones.

2. Use Spotlight: Spotlight can help you find recently installed programs by searching for their names:

a. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight.
b. Type the name of the program you’re looking for.
c. If the program is recently installed, it should appear in the search results.

3. Check the Applications folder: You can also search for the program in the Applications folder:

a. Open the Finder and navigate to the Applications folder.
b. Use the search bar at the top-right corner to search for the program by name.
c. If the program is recently installed, it should appear in the search results.

By using these methods, you should be able to find recently installed programs on your computer, whether you’re using Windows or macOS.