Frustrations with Windows: The Search Menu Shortcut Dilemma

As a longtime Windows user, I often find myself grappling with various quirks of the operating system. One feature that has baffled me is the behavior of the “Open file location” option found when right-clicking an application in the search menu. Each time I use this function, it leads me to a folder filled with shortcuts, rather than the actual application file location.

It’s a feature that appears to serve minimal purpose. In all honesty, I’ve never once needed to locate a shortcut—I was hoping to find the actual program instead. This leads to a common frustration: trying to quickly access a specific application’s installation path without the hassle of navigating through File Explorer, which often feels cumbersome.

For instance, if I’m searching for an application from a developer named XYZ, I don’t want to wade through the directory tree, which typically goes something like: Local Disk > Program Files > XYZ Developer > XYZ Application.

Is there a way to streamline this process? Ideally, I would like the “Open file location” function to directly lead me to the real executable file rather than a collection of shortcuts.

If you have discovered a workaround or have insights into whether this feature can be modified, please share! Your assistance would be greatly appreciated as I navigate my way through Windows 10.

Cheers!