Windows – How to install program to all user accounts in Windows

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I have several accounts on my home PC. I want to install a program for all user accounts, not just the one I used to perform the installation. How do I go about doing this?

I installed a program from an admin account, but it doesn't show up in the other local accounts.

I was not able to find any documentation on how to do this.

I have Windows 8.1, if that matters.

Best Answer

I assume you're referring to non-metro applications. This answer applies to Windows Vista and later, including Windows 10.

Some program installers only create the application's shortcuts in the account that was used to install the program. Typically all one needs to do to make the program accessible to all users on the computer is copy these shortcuts to a location that all users can access, such as the Public Desktop or Start Menu. To do so:

  1. Find the application's shortcut icon(s) in the installing user's account. Common places where icons are created:
    • User's Start Menu:
      C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs1
    • User's Desktop:
      C:\Users\<username>\Desktop2
  2. Copy the shortcut(s) to one or both of the following locations:
    • All Users' Desktop:
      C:\Users\Public\Public Desktop
    • All Users' Start Menu:
      C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs3

1Also accessible via %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
2Also accessible via %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
3Also accessible via %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

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