Check when programs were last used/ installed
The easiest native way to see when programs were last used/ installed is through Windows Settings.
- Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
- Go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).
- Click the Sort by dropdown menu (which defaults to "Name" or "Size") and select Last used date (or check the Date installed if last used is unavailable).
Via Control Panel (Classic View):
- Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, press Enter
- Shows the same list but sometimes with more detailed publisher info
Windows removed native real-time tracking of app usage years ago, meaning programs like Photoshop or Atom will keep displaying their installation date even if you opened them five minutes ago.
For any program you're unsure about, right-click → Properties or click the three dots in Settings and check:
| Detail | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Be cautious with entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Realtek, or your PC maker — these may be hardware/driver-related |
| Install Date | Flag anything that appeared recently without your knowledge |
| File Location | If it lives in C:\Windows or Program Files\Common Files → leave it alone |
| Digital Signature | Missing/unknown signature = higher risk |
| Uninstall Warning | If Windows warns it's "required for system functionality" → do NOT remove |
To see when programs were actually launched
Method 1: Use Windows Task Manager (App History)
Windows built-in App History tracks actual CPU time and data usage for modern/Microsoft Store apps and some desktop apps.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click the App History tab on the left side (the clock icon).
- Look at the CPU time or Network columns. Programs with zero CPU time have not been actively running on your machine since the data logging started.
Method 2: You can check the modified date of the application's actual configuration or launch files.
- Open File Explorer and go to C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86).
- Find the folder for the software (e.g., Adobe or Atom).
- Switch to Details View (View > Layout > Details).
- Look at the Date modified column for .exe files or user data subfolders. If a folder or executable has not been modified in months or years, it usually means the application hasn't been run or updated.
Method 3: Use ExecutedProgramsList (Most Accurate Free Tool)
If you want an accurate list showing the exact time every .exe file was last executed on your computer, use a lightweight, portable diagnostic tool called ExecutedProgramsList by NirSoft.
- Download ExecutedProgramsList (it is free and requires no installation).
- Run the application.
- It scans your Windows Registry, Prefetch data, and UserAssist keys to build a table.
- Click the Last Executed Time column header to sort all installed programs from most recently used to least recently used.
Quick Rule of Thumb Before Uninstalling
If you are unsure whether a program is safe to uninstall:
Safe to remove: Web browsers you don't use, third-party media players, games, standalone utilities (like Atom or Photoshop).
If the uninstall button is greyed out/missing OR Windows explicitly warns against removal → it's protected; don't touch it.
Do NOT remove: Anything named Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, Microsoft .NET Framework, or drivers listing your hardware manufacturers (e.g., Realtek, Intel, NVIDIA, AMD). Removing these will break other applications on your PC.
Usually Safe to Remove
- Apps you installed yourself (browsers, games, tools you recognize)
- Preinstalled bloatware/trials: Norton, McAfee, trial antivirus, manufacturer demo apps
- Microsoft consumer apps people often don't use: Xbox, Clipchamp, News, Weather, Maps, Movies & TV, Solitaire Collection
- PC "optimizer," "cleaner," or "driver updater" tools you never chose to install.
Never Remove (Critical System Components)
- Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables — many programs depend on these
- .NET Framework / .NET Runtime — core platform for apps
- Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime — used by many Windows components
- Anything with "Driver," "Chipset," "BIOS," "Firmware," "Update," "Health Tools," "System App Runtime" in the name
- Microsoft Store — keeps apps updated
- Hardware support tools from your laptop manufacturer (hotkey/energy utilities) unless you know what they do
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