---
id: apps.which-folders-does-the-apps-window-scan
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/apps/which-folders-does-the-apps-window-scan
category: "Apps"
subcategory: "The Apps window and launcher"
question: "Which folders does Storage Studio look in for apps?"
alt_questions:
  - "Where does the Apps window find apps?"
  - "Does Storage Studio see apps in my home Applications folder?"
  - "Does it scan the Utilities folder?"
  - "Does Storage Studio find Setapp apps?"
  - "app scan locations"
short_answer: "It scans the main Applications folder, your personal Applications folder, the Setapp folder and Utilities, plus apps already on your fast drive. Protected system apps aren't offered for moving."
tags: ["scan", "applications folder"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/apps/what-do-the-install-folder-chips-mean", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/apps/why-is-an-app-missing-from-the-apps-window"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Which folders does Storage Studio look in for apps?

Storage Studio scans the standard places apps live on a Mac: the main **Applications** folder (shared by every user), your personal **Applications** folder in your home folder, the **Setapp** folder, and **Utilities**. It also shows apps you've already moved to your fast drive.

Apple's built-in system apps live in a protected, read-only part of macOS and can't be moved, so they aren't offered. When you bring an app back, it returns to exactly the folder it came from.