Whether you’re preparing for a system reinstall, auditing licenses across office computers, or just trying to remember what you installed six months ago, Windows doesn’t make it obvious how to get a clean, exportable list of your installed programs. The Settings app shows you what’s installed, but there’s no visible “export” button — which sends most people straight to a search engine.
The good news is that Windows already has the tools built in to generate this list, no extra software required, plus a few reliable third-party options if you need something more detailed. This guide walks through every practical method, from the quickest one-line command to full inventory tools, so you can pick whichever fits your situation.
How Do You Export a List of Installed Software?
The fastest way to export a list of installed software on Windows is through PowerShell. Open PowerShell and run a command that pulls installed program details from the registry, then export the results directly to a CSV file:
Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* |
Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, InstallDate |
Export-Csv -Path “$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\InstalledSoftware.csv” -NoTypeInformation
This creates a spreadsheet-ready CSV file on your desktop listing every installed application’s name, version, publisher, and install date — no additional software needed.
Why Export a List of Installed Software?
Exporting an installed software list isn’t just a one-off curiosity — it solves practical, recurring problems:
- Reinstalling Windows — keep a reference list so you don’t forget what to reinstall afterward.
- License and compliance audits — confirm which software versions are actually running across machines.
- IT asset management — track software inventory across multiple company devices.
- Troubleshooting — compare installed software before and after an issue appeared.
- Migrating to a new PC — quickly check what needs to be reinstalled on the new machine.
Methods to Export Installed Software on Windows
Using PowerShell
PowerShell is the most reliable built-in method because it reads directly from the Windows registry, where installed program details are stored.
- Open PowerShell as Administrator (search “PowerShell,” right-click, choose Run as administrator).
- Run the command shown in the Quick Answer section above.
- Open the generated CSV file in Excel or any spreadsheet application.
For 32-bit programs on a 64-bit system, also check the standard HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* path, since some entries are split between the two registry locations.
Using Command Prompt (WMIC)
WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) can also list installed software, though Microsoft has marked it deprecated in newer Windows 11 builds — it still works on most current systems but may not be available long-term.
- Open Command Prompt.
- Run: wmic product get name,version /format:csv > “%userprofile%\Desktop\InstalledSoftware.csv”.
- Open the resulting file from your desktop.
Note that the wmic product command can be noticeably slow, since it triggers a consistency check on installed MSI packages as it runs.
Using Windows Settings and Apps
Windows Settings lets you view installed software but doesn’t include a native export option:
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Browse or search the list, sorting by name, size, or install date.
- To capture it manually, you’d need to copy entries one by one — impractical for large lists.
This method is useful for a quick visual check, but for anything you need to save or share, PowerShell or a dedicated tool is faster.
Using Third-Party Software Inventory Tools
For more detailed reporting — especially across multiple machines — dedicated tools go further than built-in commands:
| Tool | Best For |
| Belarc Advisor | Detailed system and license reports |
| CCleaner | Simple installed-program list with uninstall options |
| IObit Uninstaller | Program list plus bulk uninstall features |
| PDQ Inventory | IT teams managing software across many devices |
These tools generally offer more formatting options and additional details (like install size or last-used date) than the built-in Windows methods.
How to Export the List to CSV or Text File
Once you’ve chosen a method, exporting cleanly comes down to a few small adjustments:
- For CSV format, use Export-Csv in PowerShell (as shown above) or the /format:csv flag in WMIC.
- For a plain text file, redirect PowerShell output with Out-File, for example: Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName | Out-File “$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\InstalledSoftware.txt”.
- To open in Excel directly, make sure the CSV file includes the -NoTypeInformation flag so PowerShell doesn’t add extra metadata lines that break column formatting.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
- Empty or missing entries — some apps store data in a different registry path (32-bit vs 64-bit); check both Uninstall key locations.
- WMIC not recognized — this happens on newer Windows 11 systems where WMIC has been removed; use the PowerShell method instead.
- CSV opens with garbled formatting — this usually means the file wasn’t exported with -NoTypeInformation; re-run the export with that flag included.
- List missing Microsoft Store apps — traditional registry-based methods only capture desktop (Win32) apps; use Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, Version | Export-Csv … to include Store apps separately.
- Access denied errors — run PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator to avoid permission issues reading certain registry keys.
Best Practices for Managing Software Inventory
- Export your software list right after setting up a new PC, so you have a clean baseline to compare against later.
- Re-export periodically (quarterly is reasonable for most home and small-business users) rather than relying on memory.
- Store exported CSV files somewhere backed up, not just on the same machine you’re documenting.
- For multiple computers, standardize on one export method so the files stay easy to compare.
- Include install dates in your export when possible — they make troubleshooting recent issues much faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I export a list of installed programs in Windows?
The most reliable way is through PowerShell, using a command that reads installed program details from the registry and exports them directly to a CSV file, as shown in the Quick Answer section above.
Can I export installed software to Excel?
Yes. Export the list to CSV using PowerShell or WMIC, then open that CSV file directly in Excel — it will automatically organize the data into columns.
Does PowerShell list all installed software?
PowerShell’s registry-based method captures most traditionally installed (Win32) desktop programs, but Microsoft Store apps require a separate command (Get-AppxPackage) since they’re tracked differently.
Which method is the most accurate?
PowerShell is generally the most accurate and complete built-in method, since it reads directly from the same registry data Windows itself uses to track installed programs. Third-party tools can add extra detail but aren’t necessarily more accurate.
Conclusion
Exporting a list of installed software on Windows doesn’t require any extra downloads — a single PowerShell command gets you a clean, shareable CSV in seconds. WMIC and the Settings app work as backups, and third-party tools are worth it only if you need deeper reporting across multiple machines. Whichever method you choose, make exporting a habit rather than a one-time task — a recent software inventory saves real time the next time you’re troubleshooting, reinstalling, or auditing your system.