Weird issue encounter on installing 64bit application

Salsah · 18 Nov 2009

I have a weird experience when I am installing a 64 bit application on my 64 bit window 7.

It seems that the operating system is treating most of my application as 32 bit. For instance, skype version 3 in 64 bit version has been installed inside program file x86.

I have another 64 bit application (forgot which one is it) and it is install in the 64 bit program folder.

From what I know is the main purpose of having 2 program files in 64 bit OS is to separate the .dll files to avoid system crash. But why a 64 bit application have been install in that folder?

Thus I am curious is there any setting that I miss out or the selection of which version (32 bit or 64 bit) is not accurate in Window 7.

Is there anyone able to provide clear description on how Window 7 handle this or why some 64 bit application is installed in 32 bit area.

Much appreciated for all comments. Cheers.

Airbot · 18 Nov 2009

A lot of programs are just 32 bit. If it says it can work on either x86/x64 system, doesn't necessarily mean the program is going to be 64 bit.
Most 32 bit programs will work on a 64 bit system. If they are just a 32 bit program, they will be installed in the Program Files (x86) folder. If they are native true 64 bit programs, they will install in the Program Files folder.

An easy way to see if a program is really 64 bit, or 32 bit, is when you have that program running, open up the Task Manager, and under the Processes Tab, if it's x64, it will just have the applications name, (example - Rainmeter.exe) If it's 32 bit, it will have Rainmeter.exe *32.

You can learn a little more about a x64 system here.

Dubya · 18 Nov 2009

Exactly! :)

Salsah · 19 Nov 2009

>"<!! Then it will not be true when mentioning support 64bit equal to is a 64bit application.

If I have an application required to run DirectX 9C and detacted Window 7 DirectX11 then stopped running, how can I resolve this issue?