The Applications folder is in the Finder, and the fastest way there is a keyboard shortcut
Your Mac stores all your installed programs in one place: the Applications folder. On most Macs, the quickest way to open it is to press Command + Shift + A while you are in the Finder. A window will open showing every program you have installed.
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can navigate there manually. Open the Finder (click the blue face icon in your dock, or press Command + Space and type "Finder"). In the sidebar on the left, you will see "Applications" listed. Click it, and you are there.
Once you are in the Applications folder, you can see the names and icons of every program on your Mac. This is where you go when you need to launch a program that is not in your dock, move a program to the trash, or check what version of something you have installed.
Key Takeaways
- Press Command + Shift + A in the Finder to jump directly to the Applications folder without navigating through menus.
- You can also click "Applications" in the Finder sidebar if you prefer not to use the keyboard shortcut.
- The Applications folder shows every program installed on your Mac, sorted alphabetically by default.
- You can drag programs from the Applications folder to your dock to make them easier to launch, or drag them to the trash to uninstall them.
What you see when you open Applications
When you open the Applications folder, you will see a list of programs with their icons. Each one is a separate program file. Some programs you installed yourself (like Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop). Others came with your Mac (like Safari, Mail, and Notes). Both types live in the same folder.
The programs are listed alphabetically by default, but you can change the sort order. Click the View menu at the top and choose "Sort By" to arrange them by date installed, size, or other criteria. This is useful if you want to find programs you installed recently.
You might notice that some programs have a small arrow next to their name. This means the program is actually a package — a folder that looks like a single file. You can right-click it and choose "Show Package Contents" to see what is inside, but most people never need to do this.
How to launch a program from Applications
Double-clicking any program in the Applications folder will launch it. The program will open and appear in your dock (if it is not already there). Once it is running, you can close the Applications folder window.
If you find yourself launching the same program often, you can drag it from the Applications folder to your dock. Then you can click it in the dock instead of opening Applications every time. To remove it from the dock later, right-click the icon and choose "Remove from Dock."
You can also launch programs by pressing Command + Space (which opens Spotlight search), typing the program name, and pressing Enter. This is often faster than opening the Applications folder, especially if you use the same few programs regularly.
Moving and removing programs from Applications
To uninstall a program, drag it from the Applications folder to the Trash (or right-click it and choose "Move to Trash"). Some programs will ask you to confirm. After you empty the Trash, the program is removed from your Mac.
A few programs come with an uninstaller — a separate program you run to remove them completely. If a program has one, you will usually find it in the Applications folder alongside the main program. Check the program's documentation if you are unsure whether it needs an uninstaller.
You can also move programs between folders on your Mac. For example, you might create a folder called "Work Programs" and move programs you use for work into it. Just drag the program from Applications to wherever you want it. The program will still work normally from its new location.
Finding programs that are not showing up
If you installed a program but cannot find it in the Applications folder, it may have been installed somewhere else. Some programs install themselves into a subfolder (like "Adobe" or "Microsoft Office") rather than directly into Applications. Look for a folder with the program's name and open it.
Another possibility is that the program is hidden. Press Command + Shift + Period (the period key) while you are in the Applications folder. This will show hidden files and folders. Press the same keys again to hide them. Most programs are not hidden, but some developer tools and system utilities are.
If you still cannot find a program you know you installed, try using Spotlight. Press Command + Space, type the program name, and see if it appears in the search results. If it does, Spotlight can tell you where it is stored on your Mac.
Checking program versions and details
To see what version of a program you have, right-click it in the Applications folder and choose "Get Info." A window will open showing the program's name, version number, size, and other details. This is useful when you need to know whether you have the latest version or when you are troubleshooting a problem.
The Get Info window also shows when the program was last modified and how much space it takes up on your disk. If you are trying to free up storage space, you can see which programs are taking the most room and decide whether to remove them.
Organizing your Applications folder
If you have many programs installed, the Applications folder can feel crowded. You can create subfolders to organize them by category. For example, you might create folders for "Creative Tools," "Productivity," and "Games," then move programs into the appropriate folders.
To create a new folder, right-click in the Applications folder and choose "New Folder." Name it whatever you want, then drag programs into it. You can still launch programs from subfolders the same way — just double-click them. Spotlight will also find them even if they are in a subfolder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a program by dragging it to the trash?
Yes. Dragging a program to the trash and then emptying the trash will remove it from your Mac. Some programs leave behind preference files or support folders in other locations, but the main program file is deleted. If a program came with an uninstaller, using that is cleaner, but dragging to trash works for most programs.
Why do some programs have folders in Applications instead of single files?
Those are package files — folders that macOS treats as single programs. You can launch them by double-clicking just like any other program. You do not need to open the folder or look inside. Right-click and choose "Show Package Contents" only if you need to access files inside for troubleshooting.
What if I cannot find a program I just installed?
Check whether the installer created a subfolder with the program's name inside Applications. If not, use Spotlight (Command + Space) to search for the program by name. If Spotlight finds it, you can see exactly where it was installed. Some programs install outside the Applications folder by design.
Can I move programs out of the Applications folder?
Yes, you can move programs anywhere on your Mac and they will still work. However, keeping them in Applications makes them easier to find and manage. If you move a program, Spotlight will still find it when you search, but you will not see it in the Applications folder anymore.
How do I know if a program needs an uninstaller?
Look in the Applications folder for a separate uninstaller program — it is usually named something like "Uninstall [Program Name]." If you see one, use it instead of dragging the program to trash. If there is no uninstaller, dragging to trash is the standard way to remove the program.