x86 Programs and the 7 x64 All programs list

Hi guys,

(Program Files 86 Not Showing in Start Menu)

I've checked this thread, and know how to manually copy a shortcut to a 32 bit program to the All Programs Menu folder on Windows 7 64 bit.

But, that is a major ball-ache. I have tons of 32 bit software installed. I'll be right-clicking

I'm not interested in the solutions within that thread - (shortcut copies to All Programs folder / searching from the start menu etc)

My sole question is - surely the guys at Windows have made it easier than this to just include the 32bit progs on the list?

Seems a pretty obvious one, as the majority of (at least of mine) software is still 32bit?

Anyone with any ideas on this, I'd be very happy to hear them

Thanks,
Darren.

I suggest making a shortcut to the Program files folder for 32bit programs in :: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

then there should be a folder in start menu that has all the 32bit programs...
and you can search them too ( i hope )

I've never heard of this issue and haven't seen it on 10 systems that are currently running Windows 7 x64 of various versions. I'd be interested in seeing if there's a solution for it as well, in case I come across it.

Hello again,

It just seems that whenever I install a 32 bit program, the default location given for the install is C:\Program Files (x86) - would you say I'm fine to change this default location to just C:\Program Files in future installs?

Thanks,
Darren.

darren13 said:

Hello again,

It just seems that whenever I install a 32 bit program, the default location given for the install is C:\Program Files (x86) - would you say I'm fine to change this default location to just C:\Program Files in future installs?

Thanks,
Darren.

Open Run form startmenu and type Regedit then press enter.


in the registry editor, navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Locate the value named “ProgramFilesDir” and change the default value “C:\Program Files (x86)” to “C:\Program Files”

close registry editor and reboot!

I'm running 7 home premium x64 and to the best of my knowledge I have only had one program, an old game, that I couldn't find in my start menu after installing it. How old are the apps you are missing and how many are missing? Your current problem seems to be an exception to the way it normally works for most people. I'm not trying to down play your problem, that would really annoy me. Sounds like something got broken along the way, a path somewhere or a permission that is out of whack. You could try turning UAC off on your next install, don't forget to turn it back on again. You're not running a RC or beta are you? Or something downloaded off of bit-torrent? I only ask because some PCs don't come with media and some users don't want to use the restore function and load all the crap ware back on. If non of their buddies have a DVD they resort to bit-torrent to get a disk.

darren13 said:

would you say I'm fine to change this default location to just C:\Program Files in future installs?

I've heard people say this won't cause any issues, but since there's zero reason to do so, I wouldn't.

As with most configuration options for Windows 7...the phrase "leave it alone" holds true.