Windows 10 - installing to Program Files folder instead of Program Files (x86)

Question

I'm having an issue installing an application into the Program Files folder in Windows 10.  For some reason, even though I select that folder as the destination, the system instead installs the program to Program Files (x86).  However unfortunately, it's imperative that I install to the other Program Files folder in order to be able to run a necessary application update (it's an older application).

The permissions for users appear to be the same for both of these folders, so I don't understand why it does not work.  I've already tried activating the administrator and logging in as administrator to load the program - same result, it still installs to Program Files (x86).  I've tried to temporarily change the ownership on the Program Files folder (from trusted installer) to allow me control, the system will not grant this change either. 

So! How do I get the system to install the application to the Program Files folder as instructed?

Answer 1

Hi Ftax

You cannot manually choose between Program Files and Program Files (x86)

The program Files (x86) folder is for 32bit applications and the Program Files folder is for 64bit applications

if you want an application to install into the Program Files folder, you must download the 64bit version of that application and vice versa for the (x86) folder . . .

Answer 2

Sorry it didn't work.  

If you got bored at some point, you might do a search through the registry using regedit.exe to see if there are entries pointing to a specific location for the .exe and supporting files.  Many applications create registry keys that hold the installed folder path. 

But, as long as you can accomplish what you need to do, you are ahead of the game.  

EDIT:  There may also be an associated .ini or .cfg file within the application directory that contains path location information.

Answer 3

Hi Ftax

You cannot manually choose between Program Files and Program Files (x86)

The program Files (x86) folder is for 32bit applications and the Program Files folder is for 64bit applications

if you want an application to install into the Program Files folder, you must download the 64bit version of that application and vice versa for the (x86) folder . . .

Hi Dave - many thanks for the quick response.  Is there no workaround on this?  I can't get a different version (64bit) of this application.  It's an older one (Simply Accounting 2010) and I have existing files created in that version that I still need to use right now.  I'm in the process of transferring everything over to a new computer, so that's why this issue has suddenly come up. But there is an update to the application that will only run when Simply is installed to the Program Files folder.  And I can't open my current files in the application unless I run the update.

Answer 4

Hi Ftax

The only workaround I can think of would be to backup your data and clean install the 32bit version of Windows 10, that does not have the two program files folder, it only has just the Program Files folder that all applications are installed into . . .

Answer 5

One other option you might try (no guarantee to work, but it has been successful with some older, simpler applications) is to let the application install to \Program Files(x86)\ then copy the entire directory to \Program Files\ then try to run your update.  If it works, you could then copy everything back to the (x86) directory, overwriting what's already there.  Or even just try to leave it in the \Program Files\ if it runs successfully.  

The other option, more complicated, would be to create hardlinks in the \Program Files\ from the installed directory in \Program Files(x86).  I've also done that for a couple apps, using HardLink shell extensions, a free tool.