How to Locate the Executable EXE File of a Program in Windows

Sometimes you need to find the exact location of an executable EXE file of a program installed on your computer. This can be useful for manual configuration, adjusting launch parameters, or troubleshooting. In this article, we’ll explore a few simple ways to locate the file path on the Windows operating system.

Method 1: Using the Program Shortcut on the Desktop or Start Menu

  1. Find the program shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
  2. Right-click on the icon and select “Properties”.
  3. In the properties window, go to the “Shortcut” tab.
  4. The “Target” or “Start in” field will display the file path to the program’s folder.
  5. If available, click on the “Open File Location” button to go directly to the folder containing the EXE file.

Method 2: Using the Windows Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Go to the “Details” or “Processes” tab, where all running processes are displayed.
  3. Find the process for the program you want and right-click on it.
  4. In the context menu, select “Open file location”. This will take you directly to the folder containing the EXE file.

Method 3: Using the Command Prompt

  1. Open the Command Prompt (press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter).
  2. Type the command where program_name, replacing program_name with the name of the EXE file (for example, where notepad to locate Notepad).
  3. Press Enter. The command will display the path to the program’s executable file, provided it’s located within system directories.