Duplicate Windows files.


  1. Frona
    Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       New #1

    Duplicate Windows files.


    We have just purghased a new laptop which supports Windows 7 64bit. The windows code was installed on the drive, and we followed the instructions to activate the Windows system. It appears to be functioning properly.
    The question we have is this: When we check the hard drive we can see two sets of Program Files. One is just 'Program Files', the other is 'Program Files(x86). A cursory examination shows that they both seem to contain the same sub files. Why are there 2 sets and if we are satisfied with Windows 7 64bit, can the second set of Program files(x86) be safely deleted?
    Thank you for any help you can give us.
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  3. otis lehawk
    Posts : 64
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       New #2

    All 64bit computers have both the Program Files and the Program Files(x86) folders. the x86 one is because not all programs will run 64bit. and it separates the programs during the installation into its specified folder. long story short, i would advise not deleting. although i don't know the outcome because I've never tried. hope this helped
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  4. richc46
    Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       New #3

    Welcome
    I would say outright dont delete those files. If you are short of space, buy an external hard drive to store your stuff.
    Good luck.
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  6. NoelDP
    Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       New #4

    Frona said:
    We have just purghased a new laptop which supports Windows 7 64bit. The windows code was installed on the drive, and we followed the instructions to activate the Windows system. It appears to be functioning properly.
    The question we have is this: When we check the hard drive we can see two sets of Program Files. One is just 'Program Files', the other is 'Program Files(x86). A cursory examination shows that they both seem to contain the same sub files. Why are there 2 sets and if we are satisfied with Windows 7 64bit, can the second set of Program files(x86) be safely deleted?
    Thank you for any help you can give us.

    DO NOT delete those folder or their contents!
    The reason for 'duplicates' is that the x86 folder contains 32-bit programs, while the 'ordinary' folder contains 64-bit programs. Many programs install both 32- and 64-bit versions (IE for example) so that you have the option. The Installation routine checks the bitness of the installation and routes it to the appropriate folder, and then the system has pre-warning of what bitness the program it wants to run is, so that it can shunt hte appropite parts of the OS into play as early in teh process of starting a program as possible.

    If you remove either folder you WILL cripple the machine.
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