Solved A question regarding installation on win7 64bit

[notlikeyou]

Hello everybody. So far I have been using 32 bit version of windows 7 but today I switched to 64 bit version. now when it comes to installing software I am a bit doubtful because ,on my system partition (c, there are two Program Files directories. One is Program Files x86 andother one is just called Program Files. I did a bit of study on that topic and did realize that x86 one is for older 32 bit apps and non-x86 one is for 64bit apps. The size of my system partition is around 35 gigs plus i have two more partitions for data and games which are 120 gigs and 310 gigs respectively. Since on those two drives I do not have separate folders for 32bit and 64 bit apps like i have on C drive, should I install all games under one directory or should i separate them ? For example, I want to install Max Payne 1 from early 2000s and Call of Duty Ghosts from 2013. My question is shall these two games which are quite contrast be installed under one same folder or shall i separate them so there won't be any conflict on some level ? I ask this because my HD is formatted like that and I can't install both programs and games under the same ''roof'' which is system partition C . Thanks in advance .If there are any questions regarding my thread feel free to post in reply. One more thing to ask while I'm here. If one application doesn't have separate installer for 32 and 64 bit versions, would it matter whether to install it under Program Files or Program Files x86 folder? Example is GOM player .

 

[Brink]

Hello notlikeyou, and welcome to Seven Forums.

When you run the game's installer and select where you want to install it at, it will be installed in it's own folder at that location by default, so there's nothing to worry about for that.

You can select to install it wherever you like. It doesn't have to be in one of the Program Files folders. If you choose to install a program in Program Files, it doesn't matter which one, but would be best to select the same 32-bit or 64-bit as the program just for pure organization purposes to have all 32-bit programs in the x86 folder and such.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[notlikeyou]

Thanks for the answer in such a short period of time. So, according to your answer I can keep programs and windows on C and install games on other larger partition ? And if one program installer offers me one directory and other installer offers another shall I do the way it's suggested ? One last thing regarding games I'd like to ask. So basically I can install all my games in one random folder (non program Files) ?
I will keep this thread open in case there are more answers. Thanks again it sure helps.

 

[Brink]

Yes, you can install them anywhere you like if the installer gives you the option to select where.

Yep, you can say create a "Games" folder on a hard drive, and install all your games into it if you like.

 

[LMiller7]

There are a number of reasons why there are both "program files(x86)" and "program files" folders. One being that Windows itself has both 32 and 64 bit versions of some applications and support files. Internet Explorer being just one example. Windows Explorer does not make this clear but the files in these folders are actually very different. When updating such an application it is very important that you use the correct folder or you would overwrite the wrong version. Having separate folders for 32 and 64 bit applications solves this problem quite neatly and at the same time aids organization. It isn't necessary for you to do this for your own installation folders but the reasons are equally valid.

One might ask what would happen when installing an old application that knew nothing of 64 bit Windows. Would it not incorrectly install to the "Program files" folder where 64 bit applications are normally installed? Even then it would do the right thing. A 32 bit application or installer attempting to access the "Program files" folder will be silently redirected to the "Program files(x86)" folder that it should be using.

 

[notlikeyou]

thanks

Thanks for all the answers. Cheers .

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Glad we could help.

 

[AstaLaVista]

Personally, I like to keep all my game install on default so when there is a patch I don't have to look again, the only difference is that I usually change the drive but to do that, sometimes you have to do a custom install, once you get to where it will say (as an example) C:\Progam Files X86\?? you change the "C" to "E" (where "E" is the letter of your Data or Games drive) and then let the installation run like that.

If in the immediate future, there are patches for it, all you do is right click on the patch, run with admin rights and it will find the initial version of the game all on its own.