The Frustration of Windows Features: The Challenge of Finding Actual Application Locations

If you’re a Windows 10 user, you might have encountered the slightly perplexing feature of right-clicking an application in the search menu and selecting “Open file location.” You may find yourself led to a folder populated exclusively with shortcuts instead of the application files themselves.

This can be a point of confusion, especially for those of us who find ourselves trying to pinpoint the actual executable file for an application rather than sifting through a collection of shortcuts. In fact, many users report that they rarely utilize this feature, but it remains a staple in the Windows experience.

More often than not, when I seek out the location of a specific program, my goal isn’t simply to locate a shortcut. I want to navigate directly to the real installation directory, such as C:\Program Files\XYZ Developer\XYZ Application.

Is there a solution to this dilemma that will allow users to bypass the redundancy of shortcuts and efficiently access the intended application folder?

If you’ve shared in this frustration or found yourself in a similar situation, you’re not alone. The good news is that with a bit of know-how, you can streamline your experience and avoid unnecessary detours through Windows Explorer.

Let’s explore how you can enhance your navigation experience in Windows 10!