Where do I find Accessories in the Windows Start menu?

The Accessories folder, accessible through the Windows Start menu, is home to multiple useful programs. These programs include Calculator, Notepad, Paint, Remote Desktop Connection, and various System utilities. Where the Accessories folder is located, and the programs found in that folder, depends on your version of Windows. Older versions of Windows include the Accessories folder, while newer versions of Windows do not, but the programs previously in that folder are still available.

Select your version of Windows from the list below and follow the instructions to learn where the Accessories folder or its previously included programs are located.

Windows 11

The Windows Accessories folder was renamed to "Windows Tools" in Windows 11 and can be accessed by follow the steps below.

1. Open the Windows Start menu and type "windows tools" in the search.
2. Once the Windows Tools is highlighted, press Enter.

or

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Click the All apps option.
3. In the listing of apps scroll down to the "W" section, which contains Windows Tools.

or

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. In the search box type run and press Enter.
3. Copy and paste the following line into the Open line of the Run box.

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

4. In the Programs window that opens, you'll see a Windows Accessories folder containing all Windows accessories and system tools.

Windows 10

In Windows 10, the Accessories folder is not included in the Windows Start menu. To access the Accessories folder programs, follow these steps.

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Click the All apps option (if shown).
3. In the listing of apps scroll down to the "W" section, which contains Windows Accessories.

or

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. In the search box type run and press Enter.
3. Copy and paste the following line into the Open line of the Run box.

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

4. In the Programs window that opens, you'll see a Windows Accessories folder containing all Windows accessories.

Windows 8

In Windows 8, the Accessories folder is not included in the Windows Start menu. To access the Accessories folder programs, follow these steps.

1. Check the Windows Start screen to see if the program you want to open is listed.
2. If you do not find the program on the Windows Start screen, start typing the name of the program to search for the program in Windows.
3. In the search results, select the program you want to open.

Windows 7 and earlier versions

The Accessories folder is available in Windows 7 and earlier versions of Windows. To access the Accessories folder, follow these steps.

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Click the All Programs option.
3. Find and click the Accessories folder.
4. Select the program you want to open.