How To Use PowerShell To List Installed Software And Manage Applications

Discover how to effectively use PowerShell to list, filter, and export installed software on Windows, along with additional tips for software management.

How to Use PowerShell to List Installed Software

Using Get-WmiObject

When it comes to listing installed software on your Windows system using PowerShell, one of the most commonly used commands is Get-WmiObject. This powerful command allows you to retrieve a wealth of information about the software installed on your computer, including details such as the name of the software, the version number, and even the installation date.

To use Get-WmiObject, you simply need to open a PowerShell window and type in the following command:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product

This command will return a list of all the software installed on your system, making it easy for you to quickly see what programs are currently installed.

One of the advantages of using Get-WmiObject is that it provides a comprehensive list of installed software, giving you a detailed overview of everything that is currently on your system. This can be particularly useful if you are trying to troubleshoot issues or simply want to keep track of what software is installed on your computer.

In addition to listing the software installed on your system, Get-WmiObject also provides additional information such as the vendor of the software and the installation directory. This can be helpful for identifying any potential issues or conflicts that may arise from having multiple software programs installed.

Overall, Get-WmiObject is a valuable tool for anyone looking to quickly and easily list the software installed on their Windows system. Whether you are a seasoned IT professional or a casual user, this command can help you stay organized and informed about the software on your computer.

Using Get-ItemProperty

Another useful command for listing installed software using PowerShell is Get-ItemProperty. This command allows you to access the properties of a specific software program, giving you detailed information about that particular application.

To use Get-ItemProperty, you will first need to know the exact name of the software program you want to retrieve information about. Once you have this information, you can use the following command in a PowerShell window:

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, InstallDate

This command will return specific details about the software program you specified, including the display name, version number, publisher, and installation date. This can be particularly useful if you are trying to gather more information about a specific software program or if you need to troubleshoot issues related to that application.

Using Get-ItemProperty allows you to focus on individual software programs, giving you a more targeted approach to listing installed software on your system. This can be beneficial if you are looking for specific information about a particular program or if you need to perform actions such as uninstalling or updating that software.

Filtering the List of Installed Software

When it comes to managing the list of installed software on your system, filtering can be a powerful tool to help you organize and streamline the information. In this section, we will explore two key ways to filter your software list: by publisher and by installation date.

Filter by Publisher

Filtering by publisher allows you to easily group and identify software based on the company or organization that developed it. This can be helpful when you want to quickly locate all software from a specific publisher or when you need to track down software from a particular source.

To filter by publisher using PowerShell, you can utilize the Get-WmiObject command along with the Publisher property. This will allow you to retrieve a list of installed software along with the publisher information. Here is an example command:

powershell
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Publisher -eq "Microsoft Corporation" }

This command will filter the list of installed software to only show products published by Microsoft Corporation. You can replace “Microsoft Corporation” with the desired publisher name to filter by a different publisher.

In addition to filtering by publisher, you can also combine multiple filters to further refine your search. For example, you can filter by both publisher and installation date to create a more specific software list.

Filter by Installation Date

Filtering by installation date allows you to sort and view software based on when it was installed on your system. This can be useful for tracking software updates or identifying recently installed programs.

To filter by installation date using PowerShell, you can use the Get-ItemProperty command along with the InstallDate property. This property provides the installation date and time of the software. Here is an example command:

powershell
Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName, InstallDate | Sort-Object InstallDate

This command will retrieve the display name and installation date of software installed on your system, sorted by installation date. You can adjust the command to filter by a specific date range or to customize the output further.

By utilizing filtering techniques such as filtering by publisher and installation date, you can effectively manage and organize your list of installed software in PowerShell. These tools can help you quickly find the information you need and streamline your software management tasks.

Exporting the List of Installed Software

Exporting the list of installed software in PowerShell can be a powerful tool for managing your system and keeping track of the software installed. In this section, we will explore two common methods of exporting the list: exporting to CSV and exporting to a text file.

Export to CSV

Exporting the list of installed software to a CSV file can be useful for creating a more structured and organized list that can be easily shared or manipulated in programs like Microsoft Excel. To export the list to a CSV file, you can use the Export-Csv cmdlet in PowerShell.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to export the list of installed software to a CSV file:

Open PowerShell as an administrator.
Run the following command to get the list of installed software:
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Select-Object Name, Vendor, Version | Export-Csv C:\path\to\exported_list.csv
Replace C:\path\to\exported_list.csv with the path where you want to save the exported CSV file.
Press Enter to execute the command.

Once the command is executed, you will find a CSV file containing the list of installed software at the specified location. You can then open this file in programs like Microsoft Excel to further analyze or manipulate the data.

Export to Text File

Exporting the list of installed software to a text file can be a quick and easy way to create a simple list that can be viewed in any text editor. To export the list to a text file, you can use the Out-File cmdlet in PowerShell.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to export the list of installed software to a text file:

Open PowerShell as an administrator.
Run the following command to get the list of installed software:
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Select-Object Name, Vendor, Version | Out-File C:\path\to\exported_list.txt
Replace C:\path\to\exported_list.txt with the path where you want to save the exported text file.
Press Enter to execute the command.

After executing the command, you will find a text file containing the list of installed software at the specified location. You can open this file in any text editor to view the list in a simple and readable format.

Additional PowerShell Commands for Software Management

Uninstalling Software

Uninstalling software using PowerShell can be a quick and efficient way to remove unwanted programs from your system. By utilizing the Uninstall-WindowsFeature command, you can easily uninstall software packages without the need for manual intervention. This command allows you to specify the name of the software package you wish to uninstall, making the process straightforward and hassle-free.

To uninstall software using PowerShell, follow these simple steps:
Open PowerShell as an administrator.
Use the Uninstall-WindowsFeature command followed by the name of the software package you want to uninstall.
Press Enter to initiate the uninstallation process.
Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

Uninstalling software with PowerShell provides a convenient alternative to traditional uninstall methods, allowing you to streamline the process and save time. Additionally, PowerShell offers the advantage of scriptability, enabling you to automate software uninstallations and perform them in bulk if necessary.

Checking for Updates

Keeping your software up to date is essential for maintaining system security and optimal performance. PowerShell offers convenient commands for checking for updates and ensuring that your installed software is current. By utilizing the Get-HotFix command, you can easily retrieve information about installed updates on your system, including their description, installation date, and more.

To check for updates using PowerShell, follow these steps:
Open PowerShell as an administrator.
Use the Get-HotFix command to retrieve information about installed updates.
Review the output to identify any available updates and ensure that your software is up to date.
Consider automating the update checking process by creating a PowerShell script that regularly checks for updates and notifies you of any available patches.

Checking for updates with PowerShell provides a convenient way to stay informed about the status of your software and take proactive measures to ensure that your system remains secure and efficient. By incorporating update checking into your regular maintenance routine, you can minimize the risk of vulnerabilities and enjoy the latest features and enhancements offered by your software packages.

Thomas

Thomas Bustamante is a passionate programmer and technology enthusiast. With seven years of experience in the field, Thomas has dedicated their career to exploring the ever-evolving world of coding and sharing valuable insights with fellow developers and coding enthusiasts.