Solved Program Files and Program Files (x86)

[t-4-2]

Home Premium Win 7 64-bit OEM

Just curious to understand why.....
Why is it that there is a Program Files and a Program Files (x86) in my system ?
I realize that the former is in reference to 64-bit OS. The latter is 32-bit.
I do notice that all the programs that I installed are in the (x86) file. Except CCleaners which somehow is in Program Files.

But, still don't see why 2 separate program files.
Or, in particular, why a (x86) file at all.

Thank you.

 

[Arc]

Program Files contains the programs which are 64 bit, and Program Files(x86) contains programs those are 32 bit .

As the most of your installed programs are 32 bit (usually... the same for me, too) they almost all are in the x86 folders; but the programs bundled with windows are 64 bit (like DVD maker, Microsoft Games, Windows Media Player, Sidebar etc) are contained in the Program Files folder .

Edit : There are two separate program files folders , to make 64 bit windows compatible to run 32 bit programs successfully .

 

[t-4-2]

Program Files contains the programs which are 64 bit, and Program Files(x86) contains programs those are 32 bit .

As the most of your installed programs are 32 bit (usually... the same for me, too) they almost all are in the x86 folders; but the programs bundled with windows are 64 bit (like DVD maker, Microsoft Games, Windows Media Player, Sidebar etc) are contained in the Program Files folder .

Edit : There are two separate program files folders , to make 64 bit windows compatible to run 32 bit programs successfully .

I still fail to see the reason for a (x86) file.
As mentioned, my CCleaner file is in Program Files....
1. I did not have to select 64-bit version when I installed CCleaner.
2. I opened the CCleaner folder and there are 2 exe files.
CCleaner.exe and CCleaner64.exe
The former must be for 32-bit, and the latter is obvious.

My point : if CCleaner.exe can be stored in Program Files which is for 64-bit, then why not have all 32-bit programs stored there as well ?
Which comes back to my initial question .....
why Program Files (x86) is needed at all ?

 

[Markmental]

If you download lets say firefox 64 bit it would be in program files. If you downloaded 32-bit it would be in program files(x86)

 

[Brink]

I still fail to see the reason for a (x86) file.
As mentioned, my CCleaner file is in Program Files....
1. I did not have to select 64-bit version when I installed CCleaner.
2. I opened the CCleaner folder and there are 2 exe files.
CCleaner.exe and CCleaner64.exe
The former must be for 32-bit, and the latter is obvious.

My point : if CCleaner.exe can be stored in Program Files which is for 64-bit, then why not have all 32-bit programs stored there as well ?
Which comes back to my initial question .....
why Program Files (x86) is needed at all ?

Hello t-4-2,

That's because CCleaner is actually a 64-bit program when installed on a 64-bit Windows 7.

If you look in Task Manager (Shift+CTRL+ESC) under the Processes tab like below, you will notice that .exe files with *32 next to them are 32-bit programs. The ones without this are 64-bit programs.

 

[Arc]

Hi t-4-2 ... have you noticed that you have two versions of windows media player ( 32 bit and 64 bit) installed ?

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Hello there,

Maybe this article might help Windows 64-bit: The 'Program Files (x86)' and 'SysWOW64' folders explained (Technical Article)

 

[t-4-2]

I still fail to see the reason for a (x86) file.
As mentioned, my CCleaner file is in Program Files....
1. I did not have to select 64-bit version when I installed CCleaner.
2. I opened the CCleaner folder and there are 2 exe files.
CCleaner.exe and CCleaner64.exe
The former must be for 32-bit, and the latter is obvious.

My point : if CCleaner.exe can be stored in Program Files which is for 64-bit, then why not have all 32-bit programs stored there as well ?
Which comes back to my initial question .....
why Program Files (x86) is needed at all ?

Hello t-4-2,

That's because CCleaner is actually a 64-bit program when installed on a 64-bit Windows 7.

If you look in Task Manager (Shift+CTRL+ESC) under the Processes tab like below, you will notice that .exe files with *32 next to them are 32-bit programs. The ones without this are 64-bit programs.

View attachment 162303

Thank you.
Yes, I never paid attention. I opened CCleaner, it did say 64-bit.
I have 2 entries with *32 appended.......
wlcomm.exe and wlmail.exe

 

[t-4-2]

Hi t-4-2 ... have you noticed that you have two versions of windows media player ( 32 bit and 64 bit) installed ?

Yes, I have 2 wmplayer.exe files, one in each program files.
The one in 64-bit files has 164 KB.
The one in 32-bit files has 161 KB.

 

[logicearth]

The two Program Files location is only there for organization nothing more. You do not need to put 32-bit programs into Program Files (x86) or put 64-bit programs into the other. Its just there to help you differentiate between the two if you want to.

 

[t-4-2]

The two Program Files location is only there for organization nothing more. You do not need to put 32-bit programs into Program Files (x86) or put 64-bit programs into the other. Its just there to help you differentiate between the two if you want to.

Thank you.
Logical.

 

[DeaconFrost]

While I haven't heard of any issues by altering the default install path, there's really no reason to not let the apps install to their defaults. Given the way Windows 7 works, you there's little reason to be entering the system folders, so you honestly won't see the paths much, aside from when installing software.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

While I haven't heard of any issues by altering the default install path, there's really no reason to not let the apps install to their defaults. Given the way Windows 7 works, you there's little reason to be entering the system folders, so you honestly won't see the paths much, aside from when installing software.

Some files go under Common Folder on Program files and Program files (x86) which makes it a little harder to change the location.