Redundant Program Files?


  1. raphytaffy
    Posts : 41
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       New #1

    Redundant Program Files?


    My installation of Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) has two folders listed under my C: drive for Program Files:

    Program Files
    Program Files (x86)

    I realize that the x86 refers to 32-bit programs, but looking inside each folder I come across some redundancy. Here are a list of folders found within both Program Files folders:

    Common Files
    Internet Explorer
    MSBuild
    Reference Assemblies
    Windows Defender
    Windows Mail
    Windows Media Player
    Windows NT
    Windows Photo Viewer
    Windows Portable Devices
    Windows Sidebar

    I was wondering if other users with Windows 7 64-bit have the same redundancies? Tempted to delete the x86, any harm in doing so?
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  3. ratePV
    Posts : 524
    Windows 7 SP1 x64
       New #2

    They are here because of compatibility reasons:

    For example most of codec's are x86bit and cannot be used in a x64
    system, and to solve it microsoft "installed" both versions so you
    could do so...

    Same for IE (in this case it's not abt codec's its about Adobe flash, etc,...)

    So no they are not doubles, and YOU SHOULDN'T DELETE IT!
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  4. raphytaffy
    Posts : 41
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Great help! Thanks!
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