Redundant Program Files?

[raphytaffy]

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?

 

[ratePV]

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!

 

[raphytaffy]

Great help! Thanks!