Solved Program Files and Program Files x86?

M4dn3ss

New member
I've noticed that the 64 bit of Windows has two Program Files folders, one with x86 on it.
What happens if I install a 64 bit program into the x86 folder? Or install a 32 bit program into Program Files?

Also - I use two partitions, on the second partition would I have to make two program files folders, one with "x86" and one without? Or can I just make a single folder called Program Files? (Or even something like just "Programs"...)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
Intel Core i5 4690K
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z97X Gaming-3
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3-1600
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X OC
Sound Card
ONBOARD SOUND :D
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung S24A450BW
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 (16:10 forever)
Hard Drives
250GB Samsung 840 EVO + 2TB Seagate Barracudea
PSU
Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Case
Corsair Graphite 230T
Cooling
Cooler Master Hyper 212X
Keyboard
Logitech G710+, CM Storm TK
Mouse
Steelseries Rival
Internet Speed
Australian
Antivirus
Avast, because I'm cheap
Browser
All the browsers!
I've noticed that the 64 bit of Windows has two Program Files folders, one with x86 on it.
What happens if I install a 64 bit program into the x86 folder? Or install a 32 bit program into Program Files?

I can't answer this question.

Also - I use two partitions, on the second partition would I have to make two program files folders, one with "x86" and one without? Or can I just make a single folder called Program Files? (Or even something like just "Programs"...)

You can install whatever you want on a partition you've made.

I have a separate partition for programs and I install everything I can on it (32 and 64 bit programs).
I haven't noticed any problems (I've used that method for about 10 years).
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
n/a
OS
W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II x6 1100T, 3.3 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS M4A88T-M/USB3 (AM3)
Memory
12GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill (4GB x 2), G-Skill (2GB x 2)
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660
Sound Card
Realtek?
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung S23B350
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
WD Green 2TB (SATA), WD Green 3TB (SATA), WD Blue 4TB (SATA), WD Blue 6TB (SATA)
PSU
Cooler Master
Case
Antec GX300 Tower
Cooling
3x Antec TRICOOL 120mm Fans
Mouse
Wired Optical
Internet Speed
DSL
Antivirus
Avast
Browser
Pale Moon (64 bit)
Other Info
2018-12-27 Upgraded HDDs
2015-12-10 Upgraded case, graphics card, storage
2015-08-15 Upgraded motherboard & RAM
2015-07-15 Upgraded LM17.1 to LM17.2
What happens if I install a 64 bit program into the x86 folder? Or install a 32 bit program into Program Files?

Nothing. The two program directories are only for organization, or to keep programs that have two version a 32-bit and 64-bit version separate, like Internet Explorer. But you can install a 32-bit program in "Program Files" and a 64-bit program in "Program Files x86" and nothing will happen the program will run the same.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Alienware Aurora ALX R4
OS
Windows 10 Pro (x64)
CPU
Intel Core i7-3930K (3.2GHz - 4.5GHz)
Motherboard
Alienware Aurora-R4 x79
Memory
4x Samsung 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (16GB 1600MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Geforce GTX 690
Sound Card
SteelSeries Siberia Elite
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp U3011
Screen Resolution
2560x1600
Hard Drives
Samsung 850 Pro 256 GB, Seagate 1TB Desktop Hybrid HDD, 2x Western Digital 4TB Green HDD
PSU
875W Some Dell PSU <.<
Case
Alienware Aurora ALX
Cooling
Custom Liquid Cooling (EK CPU & GPU blocks) dual EK 480RAD
Keyboard
Logitech G710+ Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G700s
Internet Speed
Verizon Fios (50 mbps average)
Other Info
Server: Intel NUC D54250WYK: i5-4250U, 16GB, 256 GB mSATA, Windows Server 2012 R2
Okay thanks!
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
Intel Core i5 4690K
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z97X Gaming-3
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3-1600
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X OC
Sound Card
ONBOARD SOUND :D
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung S24A450BW
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 (16:10 forever)
Hard Drives
250GB Samsung 840 EVO + 2TB Seagate Barracudea
PSU
Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Case
Corsair Graphite 230T
Cooling
Cooler Master Hyper 212X
Keyboard
Logitech G710+, CM Storm TK
Mouse
Steelseries Rival
Internet Speed
Australian
Antivirus
Avast, because I'm cheap
Browser
All the browsers!
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