Windows 7: Program files/Program files(x86) HELP

Just wondering: Are there any disadvantages in installing programs (and plug-in dll files) into, for example, "My Documents\Install32" and "My Documents\Install64" folders?

Welcome!

The only disadvantage is that you would need to have your own method of organization. It looks like you already do!

Go ahead, that shouldn't be a problem at all.

I keep getting a message that my recovery disc is full. Checking it I find it has a lot of folders including the Program and Program 86 files, along with Dell, Perf Logs, Common files, etc. Is this normal or because I had to use the recovery disc to straighten out my NEW Dell 570 (Windows 7, 64 bit) because it got corrupted by a faulty Ad Aware program and wouldn't let me delete it, download Norton 360 or anything else. I'm very much a novice, very confused and CONFOUNDED! Help!

Hello Confounded, welcome to Seven Forums!



The "recovery disc" is more than likely a "Recovery Partition" that was created at the factory and is what you used to create the disks and can be used to recover the PC after something goes/has gone wrong; I hope you haven't been storing/trying to store 'stuff' there as you may disable the functionality of the partition and it'll then be worthless.

1. As I have Windows 7 32bit installed do I need to retain the Program Files folder which holds 64bit stuff and can I delete it without loss?

2. I can upgrade from 32bit to 64bit but as I'm not a gamer or a streamer is it worth while?

No, don't delete it, it's needed or it wouldn't be there.

There is no upgrade path from32-bit to 64-bit; it'll have to be a clean install all the way.


How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7

Thanks, Kid. I now understand that by default Windows 7 dumps new downloaded apps into either Prog Files or Prog Files (x86) depending on whether they are 64 0r 32-bit jobs. Can be confusing when sesrching for stuff - and you're not allowed to change the names to something more sensible ...eg - 32-bit Prog Files and 64-bit Prog Files

I was wondering if there is any special settings on the program files (x86) folder? I noticed that some games I install will only run properly if I let their installer install them into the program files (x86) folder. Also if there is a special way that windows 7 handles the (x86) folder is there a way to have windows also make an access another X86 folder on a different drive the way it does on the default C: location?

Thanks

Welcome to SF!

The only difference between the 2 folders is their name; it's just to help keep things organized better.

If the game is not running right, I'd suspect it's the fault of the game itself. Perhaps it has trouble if it is installed to anywhere except its default location. Try installing it to a folder on your desktop, and see what happens.

32-bit programs will go into the Program Files (x86) folder, and 64-bit programs will go into the Program Files folder.