Where are your programs stored when they are running

When a computer is first started, the hardware automatically loads the operating system and starts it running. This process is called booting. The reason for this odd term is that the operating system is itself involved in getting itself running—a process that is like someone "pulling themselves up by their bootstraps". Once the operating system is running, it is used to start up application programs.

Here is a (simplified) list of what happens when the user (you) starts up an application. Assume that the operating system (OS) is already running.

  1. The user asks to run an application.
    • This is done by clicking on an icon, making a menu choice, or by other means.
  2. The OS determines the name of the application.
  3. The OS finds the files on the hard disk where the application and its data are stored.
  4. The OS finds an unused section of main memory that is large enough for the application.
  5. The OS makes a copy of the application and its data in that section of main memory.
    • The software on the hard disk is unchanged; main memory holds a copy of what is on disk.
  6. The OS sets up resources for the application.
  7. Finally, the OS starts the application running.

As the application runs, the OS is there in the background managing resources, doing input and output for the application, and keeping everything else running.


Updated: 02/07/2022 by

Where are your programs stored when they are running

There are a few options for viewing programs installed on a computer. To proceed, select your operating system from the list below and follow the instructions.

View all programs in Windows

The Start menu or Start screen provides a list of nearly all programs installed on the computer and available for use. For more details, select your version of Windows in the list below and review the instructions.

Windows 11

  1. Click Start or press the Windows key.
  2. In the Start menu, click the All apps button near the top-right corner to view all programs on the computer.

Where are your programs stored when they are running

Windows 10

  1. Click Start or press the Windows key.
  2. All programs on the computer are displayed on the Start menu.

Where are your programs stored when they are running

Windows 8

  1. Press the Windows key, type All Apps, and then press Enter.
  2. The window that opens has a full list of programs installed on the computer.

Windows 7 and earlier

  1. Click Start.
  2. In the Start menu, click All programs or Programs.
  3. All programs installed on the computer are displayed.

View all uninstallable programs in Windows

The Programs and Features utility in Windows lets you view the programs on a computer that can be uninstalled.

Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11

  1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and then press Enter.
  2. Under the Programs section, click the Uninstall a program link.

Where are your programs stored when they are running

Note

If using the Small icons or Large icons view in the Control Panel, click the Programs and Features option.

  1. In the Programs and Features window, any of the programs you see can be uninstalled.

Where are your programs stored when they are running

Tip

To view the programs that come installed with Windows, click the Turn Windows features on and off link on the left side of the Programs and Features window.

View all programs installed on a Mac

  1. Click the Finder icon on the Dock at the bottom of the screen.

Where are your programs stored when they are running

  1. On the left side of the Finder window, under the Favorites section, click the
    Where are your programs stored when they are running
    selector.
  2. The section to the right of the menu shows the programs installed on your Mac.

Where are your programs stored when they are running

Where are software programs stored?

Software is typically stored on an external long-term memory device, such as a hard drive or magnetic diskette. When the program is in use, the computer reads it from the storage device and temporarily places the instructions in random access memory (RAM).

When a program runs on a computer it is stored in?

Grossmont College Class.

Where is a program stored when it is not currently running?

Where is a program stored when it is not currently running? In secondary storage, typically a hard disk.

Are programs stored in RAM or ROM?

It is also called read-write memory or the main memory or the primary memory. The programs and data that the CPU requires during the execution of a program are stored in this memory.