Solved programme files

[maurylen]

from computer - local disk C - Program files - Program files (x86) - different programmes in each, is there a good reason for this? - why aren't all program files in Program files? - probably a simple answer but some us are a little bit, thanks in anticipation

 

[archer]

Hi, Welcome to Seven forums.

If you have Win 7 you will see these 2 folders. As Win 7 comes as 32 and 64 bit. Folder with (x86) is for those programs which are 32 bit compatible. And the other folder will contain all those programs which are available in 64 bit.
This is normal.

Hope this helps.

 

[maurylen]

thanks Archer, system W7 64 bit, i understand your reply so no worries - I knew it would be simple!! cheers Maurylen

 

[archer]

Glad I was able to help.

 

[UsernameIssues]

thanks Archer, system W7 64 bit, i understand your reply so no worries - I knew it would be simple!! cheers Maurylen

You have your answer - so I hope that I don't make things worse with a bit more info:

If the operating system is 64bit, then:
Program Files usually* holds 64bit programs
and
Program Files (x86) usually* holds 32bit programs.


If the operating system is 32bit, then:
Program Files holds 32bit programs.

This "Program Files / Program Files (x86)" folder scheme has been used since XP.

*I said usually since those writing programs can mess up and cause a 64bit app it install into the Program Files (x86) folder and/or the user can force the install to go into the wrong folder. I do not think that I've ever seen it matter if a 64bit app ends up in the Program Files (x86) folder.

 

[UsernameIssues]

from computer - local disk C - Program files - Program files (x86) - different programmes in each, is there a good reason for this? - why aren't all program files in Program files? - probably a simple answer but some us are a little bit, thanks in anticipation

You might have more than one computer or your System Spec info might need to be updated to indicate W7 64bit.



You can update your system specs via this link:
http://www.sevenforums.com/profile.php?do=extra

 

[maurylen]

program files

username issues - I never noticed that 32bit entry??? - info from control panel - system - system type - 64bit OS - so i assumed it was 64 bit

 

[UsernameIssues]

The computer where you see that system type info is 64bit. I was just suggesting that you manually update the info in the forum so that members will not give you the wrong advice someday.

You can use this link http://www.sevenforums.com/profile.php?do=extra to change then save that forum info.

 

[maurylen]

program files

thanks for that, updated, till next time, cheers from "Down Under"

 

[Alejandro85]

I would just make a guess, not sure at all, but that separation may be only due to a convention only, but I don't think there is any technical limitation for such a thing. Programs may even install to any of those two folders and still they work happily. Just as a way to differentiate 32 and 64 bits programs.

The only "good" reason for that separation to exist that I can think is to easily allow a side-by-side installation of both versions of a program at the same time. In a few cases, it may be desirable to have both at the same time, and use one or another when needed. A prime example of that is the built-in IE (due to add-ins not loading in the wrong version). A media player for example might be another good candidate, since codecs need to be 32/64 bits specific too. Those cases are trivial to make with that folder separation.