How to Find the Office 2019 Installation Folder in Windows 10
Question details
The user needs to find the exact installation folder path for Microsoft Office 2019 on a Windows 10 system.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Locating the installation directory for manual configuration, creating desktop shortcuts, or troubleshooting software issues.
- Observed behavior
- The correct installation path varies depending on the system's architecture (32-bit vs. 64-bit) and the deployment method, causing standard searches to occasionally fail.
Before searching your local drive, check whether your Windows 10 system and your Office 2019 suite are 32-bit or 64-bit, as this directly dictates which default folder the installation resides in.
Navigate to the Default System Directories
The fastest way to locate the Office 2019 folder is by checking the default Program Files directories based on your software bit version.
Microsoft Office 2019 typically installs into specific directories using the Click-to-Run deployment method. You can find the main executable files (like WINWORD.EXE and EXCEL.EXE) in a subfolder named 'root' or 'Office16' within your main Program Files folder.
Press the Windows Key + E on your keyboard to launch File Explorer, and click on 'This PC' to view your local drives.
Navigate to your primary drive (usually C:) and open 'Program Files', then 'Microsoft Office', and finally 'root'. If you installed the 64-bit version of Office, your files will be here.
If you are running a 32-bit version of Office 2019 on a 64-bit Windows system, navigate to 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\'.
Trace the Path Using Shortcut Properties
If the default paths are empty or you cannot determine your bit version, you can trace the exact installation directory directly from an Office application shortcut.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
If you are tired of dealing with complex installations, large file directories, and navigating hidden folders, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a powerful, lightweight alternative that installs in seconds and offers a clean, all-in-one workspace.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the download button to get the lightweight installation file.
- 2. Run the Quick Setup: Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen prompts to install the software in seconds.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and immediately start opening, editing, and saving your existing Microsoft Office documents without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I find an 'Office16' folder in my Program Files?
If you downloaded Office 2019 directly from the Microsoft Store, it is installed as a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) application. These applications are stored in a hidden system folder located at 'C:\Program Files\WindowsApps' rather than the traditional Microsoft Office directory.
How do I check if my installed Office 2019 is 32-bit or 64-bit?
Open any Office application like Word and create a blank document. Click on 'File', select 'Account' at the bottom left, and click the 'About Word' button. A dialog box will appear displaying the full version number and indicating whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Can I change the default installation folder for Office 2019?
By default, the standard Click-to-Run installer for Office 2019 does not allow you to choose a custom installation path. It automatically installs to your system drive (usually C:). To install it on a different drive, advanced users must use the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool with a customized XML configuration file.
