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How to view installed software with PowerShell

Build an inventory of the software declared in Windows uninstall keys….

TopicWindows Server →
⌚ About 2 min read
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Windows Intermediate. 5 min

Build an inventory of the software declared in Windows uninstall keys.

Avant de commencer : adaptez toujours les commandes et manipulations à votre environnement. Sur un système de production, prévoyez une backup ou un retour arrière lorsque l’action peut modifier la configuration.

Étapes à suivre

  1. 1

    Open Power Shell

    Run Windows Terminal.

  2. 2

    Read 64 bit uninstall keys.

    Ask HKLM:softwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentUninstall version*.

  3. 3

    Add 32 bit view.

    Also ask the question: node.

  4. 4

    Sort and export.

    Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher and export to CSV if necessary.

Commands utiles

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:SOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall*, Where-Object Display Name, Select-Object DisplayNameVersion, Publisher, sort-Object Display Name.
Well- ItemProperty HKLM:softwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall*, Where-Object Display Name, Select-Object DisplayVersion, Publisher, sort-ObjectDisplay1.

À retenir

  • Win32_Product is not recommended for a simple inventory as it can trigger MSI controls/repairs.
  • Not all softwares report their installation in the same way.
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Technical deep dive

Software inventory: avoid Win32_Product

Technical checkpoints

  • Querying Win32_Product can trigger MSI consistency checks/repairs and be very slow; it should not be the first inventory method.
  • The 32/64-bit Uninstall registry keys usually provide DisplayName, DisplayVersion and Publisher without triggering MSI.
  • MSIX/Store applications use a different mechanism and may require Get-AppxPackage.

Registry inventory

Read both registry views then deduplicate by name/version.

Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*
Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*

Topic-specific pitfalls

  • A portable application may not appear in Uninstall keys.
  • Comparing only the name can merge different versions or architectures.

How to validate

  • Expected versions are found in the source appropriate to their installation type.
  • No inventory command triggered MSI repair on production systems.
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