Export List of Software Installed : on Your Computer (Complete Guide)

Every computer, whether it runs Windows, macOS, or Linux, keeps a record of the programs installed on it. Sometimes you need to export list of software installed for reasons like moving to a new machine, checking licenses, doing a security review, or simply keeping a backup record of your setup. 

This guide walks you through every practical method available for each operating system, explained in plain and simple language so that even a non-technical user can follow along without confusion.

Why Export a Software List? (Use Cases)

Before jumping into commands, it helps to understand why so many people search for ways to export list of software installed in the first place. The reasons range from personal backup needs to serious business compliance requirements, and each use case shapes which method suits you best.

System Migration or Reinstalling OS

When you buy a new laptop or reinstall Windows after a crash, remembering every single app you had installed is nearly impossible. Exporting the list beforehand gives you a ready reference so you don’t forget anything important during setup, saving hours of guesswork later.

IT Asset Management and Compliance Audits

Companies are often required to prove which software is running on their machines for licensing and compliance purposes. IT teams regularly export list of software installed across dozens or hundreds of computers to stay audit-ready and avoid legal penalties tied to unlicensed software use.

Security Audits

Outdated or unauthorized programs are a common entry point for malware. Security teams pull software inventories regularly to spot anything unusual, unpatched, or unapproved, then take action before it becomes a bigger risk to the network.

License Renewal Tracking

Many paid tools require yearly renewal, and losing track of what needs renewing can lead to sudden expiry and lost access. A saved export acts as a simple checklist so nothing gets missed when renewal season arrives.

Troubleshooting and Documentation

When contacting technical support or documenting a system’s configuration, having an exported list speeds up diagnosis. Support staff can quickly see what’s installed instead of asking you to describe everything manually.

Exporting Installed Software on Windows

Windows offers several built-in ways to pull this data without installing anything extra, ranging from a simple visual method to more powerful command-line options for detailed reports.

Using Control Panel or Settings

The simplest way is going to Settings, then Apps, then Installed Apps, where Windows shows every program along with its size and install date. This method works well for a quick manual look but does not let you save the list automatically, so it is best for casual checking rather than proper documentation.

Using PowerShell

PowerShell is the most reliable way to export list of software installed because it allows saving output directly into a file. The command below pulls data from the registry, which is faster and more accurate than older WMI-based methods:

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion | Export-Csv -Path “C:\installed_software.csv” -NoTypeInformation

This creates a clean CSV file listing every program name and version, which opens directly in Excel for further sorting or filtering.

Using Command Prompt

For users who prefer the older Command Prompt window, the wmic product get name,version command lists installed software directly on screen. It is slower than PowerShell and sometimes misses certain apps, but it remains a familiar option for many long-time Windows users.

Using Third-Party Tools

Programs like Belarc Advisor or IObit Uninstaller can generate a full software report with extra details such as install paths and license keys. These tools are useful when you need a more visual, ready-made report without typing any commands yourself.

The table below compares these Windows methods at a glance:

Method	Best For	Output Format
Settings App	Quick manual check	View only
PowerShell	Automated, detailed export	CSV file
Command Prompt	Simple text list	On-screen text
Third-party tools	Detailed visual reports	HTML/PDF report

Exporting Installed Software on macOS

Mac users have a built-in system tool that makes this process straightforward without needing any command-line knowledge, though a terminal option exists too for those who prefer it.

Using the system_profiler Command

Opening Terminal and typing system_profiler SPApplicationsDataType > installed_apps.txt generates a full text file listing every application along with its version number and location on the drive. This is the fastest way for technical users to export list of software installed on a Mac in one single step.

Using About This Mac Report

Clicking the Apple menu, then About This Mac, then System Report opens a detailed window showing installed applications under the Software section. While this method does not save a file automatically, users can copy the visible details manually for smaller checks.

Third-Party Tools for Mac

Apps like CleanMyMac or AppCleaner display installed software in a more visual, organized manner and often include options to export the list as a PDF or text file directly from their interface, which suits users who prefer a graphical approach over Terminal commands.

Exporting Installed Software on Linux

Linux distributions rely heavily on package managers, which makes exporting a list of installed programs a genuinely simple task through the terminal.

Debian and Ubuntu Based Systems

Running dpkg –get-selections > installed_packages.txt saves every installed package name into a text file. Another useful command, apt list –installed, shows the same information directly in the terminal window with version details included.

RedHat, CentOS, and Fedora Systems

On these distributions, the command rpm -qa > installed_packages.txt produces a complete list of installed packages. Adding –last to the command also shows the installation date for each package, which helps when reviewing what was added recently.

Arch Linux Systems

Arch users can run pacman -Q > installed_packages.txt to get a full list of installed packages along with version numbers. This method is quick and requires no additional tools since Pacman is Arch’s default package manager.

Exporting via Scripts for Automation

For anyone managing multiple computers, running commands manually every time becomes tiring, so writing a small script that runs automatically saves considerable time and effort.

PowerShell Script for Scheduled Exports

A short PowerShell script combined with Windows Task Scheduler can export list of software installed automatically every week or month, saving each file with a date stamp in the name. This keeps a running history without any manual work involved.

Bash Script for Linux and Mac

A simple Bash script using date in the filename, paired with a cron job, achieves the same automated result on Linux and macOS systems. This is especially useful for system administrators managing several servers at once.

Choosing the Right Export Format

Not every format suits every purpose, so picking the correct one matters depending on what you plan to do with the exported data afterward.

CSV Format

CSV files open directly in Excel or Google Sheets, making them ideal for sorting, filtering, and creating reports, which is why most IT professionals prefer this format for audits and inventory tracking.

TXT Format

Plain text files are the simplest option and work well for quick personal checks where formatting or sorting is not a priority, though they are harder to organize for larger lists.

JSON Format

JSON is best suited for developers who plan to feed the exported data into another script or automated system, since it keeps the structure organized and easy to parse programmatically.

Filtering and Organizing the Exported List

Once exported, raw lists often include unnecessary system entries, so organizing the data properly makes it far more useful for the intended purpose.

Sorting by Install Date

Arranging entries by date helps identify recently installed programs quickly, which is particularly helpful during security reviews where recent, unfamiliar installations need closer attention.

Removing Bloatware Entries

Many exported lists include background system components that are not truly separate applications. Filtering these out keeps the final report focused only on software that matters to the user or organization.

Common Errors and Troubleshooting

Even with straightforward commands, a few issues commonly trip up users attempting these exports for the first time.

Permission or Access Denied Errors

Running commands without administrator or root privileges often causes this error. Reopening PowerShell or Terminal with elevated permissions typically resolves the issue immediately.

Missing Microsoft Store Apps

Windows Store apps sometimes do not appear in registry-based exports since they are stored differently than traditional installed programs, requiring the separate Get-AppxPackage command to capture them fully.

Best Practices

Building a habit around this process makes future audits, migrations, and troubleshooting noticeably smoother across any operating system.

Exporting Regularly

Setting a monthly or quarterly reminder to export list of software installed ensures records stay current, particularly useful for businesses that need consistent compliance documentation.

Storing Exports Securely

Saved lists sometimes include sensitive license information, so storing them in a protected folder or encrypted drive prevents unauthorized access to that data.

Conclusion

Exporting an installed software list is a simple task once you know the right command or tool for your specific operating system. 

Windows users benefit most from PowerShell, Mac users from the built-in system_profiler command, and Linux users from their respective package managers. Choosing the right format and reviewing the list regularly keeps your system organized and audit-ready at all times.

FAQs

Can I export the software list without admin rights? 

Basic viewing is possible without admin access, but full registry-based exports on Windows usually require administrator privileges to run successfully.

Does this method capture Microsoft Store apps too? 

Standard registry exports miss Store apps, so a separate Get-AppxPackage command is needed to include them in the same report.

Which format is best for sharing with a team? 

CSV remains the most practical choice since it opens easily in Excel and allows quick sorting, filtering, and formatting for shared reports.

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