The Shell command offers a handy way to view your Applications folder. Here's how it works--and why you might find the trick useful.
In recent articles, I've shown various techniques for making the best of the Windows 10 start menu:
How to customize the Windows 10 Anniversary Update Start menu using the "Pare It Down" technique
How to customize the Windows 10 Start menu with numbered shortcuts
While many readers are using Windows 10 Start menu as is, and others are settling for third-party solutions, a lot of users tell me they like trying alternative ideas. So I keep on the lookout for new tricks—and I recently found another one.
I discovered a way to view the Applications folder in File Explorer by using the Shell command. This special folder includes traditional Desktop Applications as well as Universal Windows Apps. Being able to view all your applications in File Explorer can come in handy in certain circumstances. Let's take a look.
Running the Shell command
To view All Apps in File Explorer, you'll use a Shell command shortcut. Hidden underneath the Windows architecture is a host of special shortcuts known as Shell commands. To use a Shell command, all you need to do is press [Windows]+R to access the Run dialog box. Then, type the word Shell followed by a colon (:) and the Shell folder name, as in:
Shell:foldername
Notice that there are no spaces between the word Shell and the colon and the folder name—it is essentially one word.
SEE: How to tweak the Windows 10 Action Center to make it less annoying
Accessing the Applications folder
Now that you have a general idea of how the Shell command works, you can use it to view the Applications folder in Windows 10. To do so, press [Windows]+R, type shell:AppsFolder in the Open text box (Figure A), and press Enter.
Figure A
You can launch the Shell command from the Run dialog box.
All your applications will appear in one scrollable window, as shown in
In recent articles, I've shown various techniques for making the best of the Windows 10 start menu:
How to customize the Windows 10 Anniversary Update Start menu using the "Pare It Down" technique
How to customize the Windows 10 Start menu with numbered shortcuts
While many readers are using Windows 10 Start menu as is, and others are settling for third-party solutions, a lot of users tell me they like trying alternative ideas. So I keep on the lookout for new tricks—and I recently found another one.
I discovered a way to view the Applications folder in File Explorer by using the Shell command. This special folder includes traditional Desktop Applications as well as Universal Windows Apps. Being able to view all your applications in File Explorer can come in handy in certain circumstances. Let's take a look.
Running the Shell command
To view All Apps in File Explorer, you'll use a Shell command shortcut. Hidden underneath the Windows architecture is a host of special shortcuts known as Shell commands. To use a Shell command, all you need to do is press [Windows]+R to access the Run dialog box. Then, type the word Shell followed by a colon (:) and the Shell folder name, as in:
Shell:foldername
Notice that there are no spaces between the word Shell and the colon and the folder name—it is essentially one word.
SEE: How to tweak the Windows 10 Action Center to make it less annoying
Accessing the Applications folder
Now that you have a general idea of how the Shell command works, you can use it to view the Applications folder in Windows 10. To do so, press [Windows]+R, type shell:AppsFolder in the Open text box (Figure A), and press Enter.
Figure A
You can launch the Shell command from the Run dialog box.
All your applications will appear in one scrollable window, as shown in
