Desktop application - An 

application that runs stand-alone in a desktop or laptop computer.

Some examples of desktop applications for Windows:
Windows File Explorer (to find files on your computer)
Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.)
Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer)
Adobe Photoshop

Here are the most important characteristics of programs, desktop applications or desktop apps:
1. Desktop apps tend to have multiple features and can perform multiple tasks. Sometimes even a
large set of tasks.
2. They work well only with mouse and keyboard input and less well with touch input.
3. In Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, desktop apps run with limited permissions but can be given
administrative permissions by the user. Some applications, like antivirus programs, cannot run
correctly without having administrative permissions. When given administrative permissions,
programs can alter the operating system.
4. Programs can run in multiple instances in parallel. For example, you can open the same desktop
app two or three times, or as many times as you need, and work with all instances in parallel. On a
multi-display setup, you can display a desktop app on any of your monitors and all of them at the
same time, if you start multiple instances of the same desktop application.
5. Applications can be used on any version of Windows: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7.
However, some may not be compatible with older versions of Windows, depending on how they
were programmed.
6. They may install additional Windows services that give them access to different system resources
and perform more complex tasks for the benefit of the user. VPN applications and antivirus
programs are the most common examples of desktop apps that install Windows services.
7. During their installation, applications can install bloatware that you do not want, depending on
whether their developer(s) wanted this or not, to further monetize them.
8. Desktop applications can contain any content. They are not curated by Microsoft unless they are
distributed through the Microsoft Store.
9. Programs can be distributed as directed by their developer, including through the Microsoft Store.
Also, they can be installed from any source: websites, installation discs, USB flash drives, and other
installation media.
10. Desktop applications are always listed in "Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features"
and can also be removed from this location.
11. Programs can be manually updated by the user or automatically, via specific update services
created by their developer or through third-party updating apps or services.
12. Updates to desktop apps may not always be free. Their developer may charge users for updating
the application to the latest version.
13. When you buy a program, the money goes straight to the developer(s). However, if it is distributed
through the Microsoft Store, Microsoft gets a commission from your purchase, and the rest goes to
its developer(s).
14. Desktop applications can have any licensing model: from proprietary models to free and open-
source licenses.
15. They do not have to meet any specific requirements from Microsoft unless they are distributed
through the Microsoft Store. The only requirements they have to meet are those created by their
developer(s).
16. Programs work on systems with Intel and AMD processors using the x86 system architecture. They
cannot work on mobile ARM processors, like those used in smartphones, unless some form of
virtualization is used.