Program Files (x86)

Is there any reason for me to install a program to the other program
files, or is it there just to provide stability? Im trying to figure
these 2 out, and really I would perfer to only have 1 program files,
just so I dont get them confused. Is there any way to have every program
I install go directly to (86), and eventually just uninstall and delete
everything in the original program files?


--
Bosco88

 

In a 64-bit OS, there are 2 program files folders, one for 64-bit
programs and the other (with the (x86) suffix) for 32-bit ones. Don't
worry about which folder an application will get installed in as this is
automatically taken care of. As these are system-created folders, it is
inadvisable to delete or otherwise modify the contents of these folders
as this can lead to system instability and possible crashes.


--
Dwarf

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PROVERB).*

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Dwarf wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> In a 64-bit OS, there are 2 program files folders, one for 64-bit
> programs and the other (with the (x86) suffix) for 32-bit ones. Don't
> worry about which folder an application will get installed in as this is
> automatically taken care of. As these are system-created folders, it is
> inadvisable to delete or otherwise modify the contents of these folders
> as this can lead to system instability and possible crashes.
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
So in doing a manual install you put the 64 bit programs in Program
files and the 32 bit ones in Program files (x86)? or does it matter.

 

Hi,

It matters because 32-bit programs are run under in a virtual environment
(known as WoW). Programs installed in the PF(x86) directory structure are
presumed to need this by the system when initialized. If you install them
elsewhere, it may not initialize properly and fail to run or run
incorrectly.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help -
Vote for my shoe:

"Van Chocstraw" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:Fq6dnbEH69RR9yjXnZ2dnUVZ_jNi4p2d@giganews.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Dwarf wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> In a 64-bit OS, there are 2 program files folders, one for 64-bit
>> programs and the other (with the (x86) suffix) for 32-bit ones. Don't
>> worry about which folder an application will get installed in as this is
>> automatically taken care of. As these are system-created folders, it is
>> inadvisable to delete or otherwise modify the contents of these folders
>> as this can lead to system instability and possible crashes.
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
> So in doing a manual install you put the 64 bit programs in Program files
> and the 32 bit ones in Program files (x86)? or does it matter. <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"Van Chocstraw" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:Fq6dnbEH69RR9yjXnZ2dnUVZ_jNi4p2d@giganews.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Dwarf wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> In a 64-bit OS, there are 2 program files folders, one for 64-bit
>> programs and the other (with the (x86) suffix) for 32-bit ones. Don't
>> worry about which folder an application will get installed in as this is
>> automatically taken care of. As these are system-created folders, it is
>> inadvisable to delete or otherwise modify the contents of these folders
>> as this can lead to system instability and possible crashes.
>>
>><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
> So in doing a manual install you put the 64 bit programs in Program files
> and the 32 bit ones in Program files (x86)? or does it matter.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

The only programs in either the 64 or 32 bit program files folders
should be ones placed there by the Windows installer. If you
are talking about apps that you just download and unzip, and
don't require installing, they can run from anywhere. Some of
these apps come in separate 32 and 64 bit versions, and some
will run in either environment. Truecrypt is one of these. If
you run it in 32 bit Vista, it will run as a 32 bit app. If you run
it in 64 bit Vista, it will run as a 64 bit app. It has 32 and 64 bit
dll files and loads the dll appropriate to the Vista version
it's running on.