Is there a web site (or something else) that has information on folders and their hierarchy where various programs and applications are installed?

Please let me explain. I am writing an application that (part of what it does) references certain files installed by other application. To be able to determine the file paths for these folders I have to download and install each application seperatly on my development pc, search for the file I want, and then write its path in my application.

This method is very time consuming and, frankly, boring, as it requires downloading and installing each application (some of them in excess of 600MB) and then locating the required file just to be able to "know" its path.

So, I was wondering if there is something that could speed things up. like, for example, a website that would have such information. I tried each of the applications own website for information but no dice.

Any help from you will be much appreciated. Many thanks