Program files (x86) and Program files.

Question

I wish to know what the difference between Program files (x86) and Program files folders is, Are they both necessary for system operation and do they have something to do with 32 and 64 bit opperation of Vista?.

These folders both contain some but not all of the same files, why is this so?.

Answer 1

Program files (x86) provides you with the location for 32bit software, and the Program files folder is the one for your 64bit software. Because Windows Vista can run 32bit applications using the wow64 emulator, it is a good design decision to separate the location of programs with different architecture types.

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Rami

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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Answer 2

Hello 70f9

In the following table, the increased maximum resources of computers that are based on 64-bit versions of Windows and the 64-bit Intel processor are compared with existing 32-bit resource maximums: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/294418

Please let us know

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Justin M. Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forumand let us know what you think.

Answer 3

You've answered my question about the differences between these folders as well... Thank you!!

However, since my interpretation was the reverse of your explanation, I find I've installed one or more older programs in the wrong folder by manually choosing the Program Files folder over the Program Files (x86) folder.  They seem to be working ok...can they remain there?    Also, can you tell me what the (x86) stands for?....thank you

Answer 4

Thanks Rami. Short and to the point. Very helpful.

Answer 5

Thanks, I just found myself wondering this as well. Though I think it odd to change the old "program files" to be 64bit and make a new name for 32bit dir, as won't old 32bit software want to install into the "program files" now 64bit dir?  I'd just think that leaving "program files" as the 32bit one and making a new special 64bit dir name would make more sense, and name it "program files (64bit)". Perhaps with a new "program files (32bit) dir name and have "program files" somehow point to the 32bit new dir name.

I'm new to 64bit Windows, having just installed Seven-Pro 64bit. Installing programs, most of them go to "program files (x86)", but one just decided to go to "program files", and I don't know that it is a 64bit program. I found this thread wondering way it might choose differently tan everything else so far.

Is installer smart enough to check if program is 32 or 64 and automatically choose the correct one, even for old things? If an install wants to go to "program files", is it safe to trust that this is the correct location, or do I need to wonder and guess if I should correct it to (x86)??