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What does '%ProgramFiles(x86)%' mean?

Anonymous
2010-07-20T06:55:58+00:00

I am attempting to use 64-bit versions of my 32-bit programs under Windows 7 Professional 64. Since Adobe has yet to release a 64-bit version of its Flash Player Internet Explorer will have to wait.

However the Windows Media Player can be changed. The 'Start in:' field for the Windows Media Player reads: "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Windows Media Player"

I have two questions: 1) Why are there '%' signs on both sides of 'ProgramFiles(x86)'? and 2) Why are there no spaces in the character string 'ProgramFiles(x86)'?

Programmer for Visual C++ 6.0, and Microsoft Office including Access

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-07-20T22:58:17+00:00

    I am well acquainted with the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node Registry Key. My computer was 'bundled' with all sorts of 'trial' software which I decided to remove prior to the end of the trial period. As usual the removal process left me with folders and registry entries which I decided to remove. The folders were problematic because I had to take their ownership away from the 'TrustedInstaller' but I was successful.

    Thank you for your response. This means that in order to switch to the 64-bit version of Windows Media Player I need to replace the '%ProgramFiles(x86)%' in the shortcut to: Program Files. I also need to unpin the shortcut to the media player from the taskbar. Next I need to pin the shortcut to the 64-bit media player to the taskbar. Finally I shall need to update the 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\wmplayer.exe' registry entry. Pretty simple.

    I wanted to update to the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer but, alas, Adobe has yet to release its 64-bit version of Flash Player. Due to this I have decided to wait for it to be releaseed prior to making the switch.

    Programmer for Visual C++ 6.0, and Microsoft Office including Access

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-07-20T07:14:37+00:00

    Hello,

    It means, you need to go to C:\Program Files(x86) folder (32 bit folder) to launch WMP.

    %% symbols represent default directory or location where the OS installed.

    You can open up RUN command and paste %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Windows Media Player it will open the folder 

    C:\Program Files(x86)\Windows media Player

    Chyavan

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-07-20T11:42:54+00:00

    I am attempting to use 64-bit versions of my 32-bit programs under Windows 7 Professional 64. Since Adobe has yet to release a 64-bit version of its Flash Player Internet Explorer will have to wait.

    However the Windows Media Player can be changed. The 'Start in:' field for the Windows Media Player reads: "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Windows Media Player"

    I have two questions: 1) Why are there '%' signs on both sides of 'ProgramFiles(x86)'? and 2) Why are there no spaces in the character string 'ProgramFiles(x86)'?

     

    Programmer for Visual C++ 6.0, and Microsoft Office including Access

    Hi Saint:

    Central Process Units or CPUs which are 64-bit and are backward

    compatible with x86 CPU registers and instructions.

    Now a 64-bit version of Windows® OS supports the backward

    compatibility for x86 (32-bit) CPUs. In a 64-bit Windows®

    you find two folders (as you posted):

    *C:\Program Files\C:\Program Files (x86)*

    %% These (as Chyavan said) actually represent the current path,

    and from what I know (which I learned in the past) is that l they are

    part of predefined path environment variables. Then of course you

    have user variables and default system variables.  

    Once an application is under the C:\Program Files (x86) this is the

    classified as a 32-bit application and will use the 32-bit registry entries

    which are supported, AFAIK (from what I have tested and read in articles).

    SysWOW64 <- Is a known Windows® registry entry which hold 32-bit

    registry data.

    WOW64 means Windows® 32-bit On Windows® 64-bit.

    I hope you find this information useful. If you need any further assistance,

    please feel free to contact me and let me know.

    I hope this information was helpful…

    Have a nice day…

    Best regards,

    Fisnik

    Itknowledge24.com

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