why do some downloads end up as an APP, others do not

alok · 28 Jan 2024

In Windows 10, I often download software not from the MicroSoft Store but from other sites for a hobby I have.
Some end up in the APPS list, others do not, they just end up in the Program Files, the ones that end up in APP list also do show up in Program Files too . . . I am running Windows 10 version 22H2.

I never paid much attention to this so it may have been going on forever, all Programs work perfect no matter if they are in APPs or just Program Files.

Al

joeandmarg0 · 28 Jan 2024

Do your "hobby" download sites have the HTTPS [hypertext transfer protocol] address prefix or is security a non-issue ?
Do these programmes bypass windows built-in installer and and use their own?
If the latter,then is there an option for either a "Custom "install in which you choose the components,or a "Quick "one from which you are excluded ?
Does Windows ask if you wish to proceed with the installation and give the "proceed anyway "meessage ?These programmes are designated PUP;s---"potentially unwanted programs".
The installation process normally controls their positioning..

Berton · 28 Jan 2024

As far as I know all browsers use the default Downloads folder for saving but they also have something in Tools, Preferences or Options for changing that. Microsoft tried default saving to the Desktop with Win95 but that didn't work too well, had changed when Win98 or Win98SE came out.

LesFerch · 28 Jan 2024

alok said:

In Windows 10, I often download software not from the MicroSoft Store but from other sites for a hobby I have.
Some end up in the APPS list, others do not, they just end up in the Program Files

Any program that creates an uninstall registry entry in the key HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall will be listed in Settings/Apps/Apps & Features and will also be listed in Control Panel/Programs and Features.

Portable programs (ones you just download, unzip, and use) do not have an "install", so they don't create an uninstall registry entry and therefore do not show up in those lists. A lot of freeware are portable programs.

You may even have some programs that came as an installer and put files in the Program Files folder, but did not create an uninstall registry entry. That's bad practice, but there's nothing preventing that.

Malneb · 29 Jan 2024

The other point to make would be that some applications want to store settings in the registry having an installer is a seamless way to achieve this so that the user experience is more streamlined. it means that the program can store predefined values so that each time the app is opened it can read those values.

its also because programs that have an installer want to suggest to the user to install those apps in program files folder omost of the time because its a UAC protected folder and brings some security to the application. There is probably other reasons too but this comes to mind.

its no real rhyme or reason to it, i generally myself try to get portable versions of apps if they offer it where i can because it means less to clean up afterwards if i want to remove the application.

alok · 29 Jan 2024

Thank You all, appreciate it.
I figured there was something in the "hobby" software , either in it or missing causing this to happen.
Again Thank You All.