Programs Files vs Program files (x86)

Anonymous
2010-03-21T08:36:50+00:00

What is the difference between the "Program Files" folder & the "Program Files (x86)" folder, in C Drive? Various programs seem split almost equally between the 2, after I upgraded from Vista to 7, except that Internet Explorer is in both, meaning that when I "Open with" for a text file I get IE listed twice.

Can I move everything to one or other of these & delete the other one? Is one for 64-bit and one for 32-bit programs or something like that?

Thanks very much!

Milton.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-03-22T01:45:18+00:00

Hi Milton,

Yes, the two ‘Program File’ folders that are listed are for 32 bit and 64 bit version of Windows 7. The folder with (x86) is for 32 bit version.

For more information follow the link given below

32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

You may also check the link given below for further clarification.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itprogeneral/thread/7373ff3e-0207-4774-b042-c1324e70f1e5

Hope this information is helpful.

Amrita M

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

67 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2017-08-15T14:49:18+00:00

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-25T09:33:33+00:00

    Vertaling

    Hi, my husband has bought me this for 2nd hands? I put it to do I press enter, then comes a picture in which I need to enter a password in the directory C: is everything in when my computer has crashed, he said everything is on 1 folder, open it, but not use it, otherwise crashed ie at all? I do not know what is for 2014 took part. my knowledge has there windows 10 pro is set up? Now it says at the bottom of activate windows, problem viewfinder showing there is a license but then you download 10 home windows. I would like to the pictures and videos in different folder. Maybe this can help you? Should also always use ctrl alt delete and it is stuck again or page not found. Not know what is going on?

    Alberdina Dalsem

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-08-29T10:32:16+00:00

    It is strange this would come up , by going to where you get information on your computers , it tells you if you are running 86 or 64 . It is running they kept 86 , because  that is what Intel had for there first working chip , and some reason AMD got stuck with the 64 . When I was using IBM 360 , the first ones ran on tubes , then went to transistors , they wade in over 2 to 4 tons . It funny that MAM BELL came up with the code we use, it would only work with the INTEL config .Ther was three imployees that worked on it . I remember seeing a movie about computers , It about a talking voice , and he had girlfriend . The movie had a jolious  computer . We have two movies a long those lines . We would need to think out side the box  and start over !

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2016-08-26T22:31:23+00:00

    Dear Community,

    I think you are doing a great job and helping out people like me, red faced and "about to get fired' for spending significant amount of time just to be sure if my IE is 32 bit or 64 bit.

    All it would take MS would be just put it in "About Internet Explorer" page, to "throw in" if it's running 32 bit or 64 bit. I see lengthy discussions and article just on this small topic, MS still doesn't take any clue, may be these ambiguity keeps the MS partners in business by not letting users fix things themselves. Please "throw in" something for customers, we already paid for OS, Office products.

    Making shortcuts by going to program files is so childish, Taskbar processes would show 32 bit on some programs and some not. I made shortcuts from both program files, none of them show 32 in Taskbar process. Some of my collegues do show 32 bit in their taskbar. So even making shortcuts doesn't give me confidence about 32 versus 64. I am clueless.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments