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: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-10-26T19:05:43+00:00

    I am installing a program which adds a button to an explorer bar in IE.  I have not been able to get this feature working.  I am wondering if this is because my IE is opening in the wrong version.  The details are:

    Running Windows 7 and IE8 and installing MasterCook 11 (also have the problem with MasterCook9).  All other features of the MasterCook work except for the Web Import Bar.  The directions are to load the software, open IE, open View on the menu bar, open Explorer Bars.  The Web Import is supposed to show in the Explorer Bars.  It doesn't. 

    Can you help?

     

    Welcome to the forum Diana_Mcf.

    Perhaps you are new and don't know how to post new questions.  Generally people post their own questions in a new post or thread related to whatever they're asking.  There are a few reasons why should not be continuing this thread. It's already marked as solved by the original poster and secondly, your question of Master cook software has nothing to do with 32-bit & 64-bit windows - which was the original topic.

    Post your own question in a new topic.  At the top of the page you will see the bright green bar, just below that there's a link that says "Ask a question".

    Finally, there are several subcategories within Windows 7 forums.  You want to post in the forum that best fits your problem. (Internet explorer related problems).  Good luck.

    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/InternetExplorer/threads

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-10-26T18:24:31+00:00

    I am installing a program which adds a button to an explorer bar in IE.  I have not been able to get this feature working.  I am wondering if this is because my IE is opening in the wrong version.  The details are:

    Running Windows 7 and IE8 and installing MasterCook 11 (also have the problem with MasterCook9).  All other features of the MasterCook work except for the Web Import Bar.  The directions are to load the software, open IE, open View on the menu bar, open Explorer Bars.  The Web Import is supposed to show in the Explorer Bars.  It doesn't. 

    Can you help?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-09-09T11:21:09+00:00

    The differences between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Internet Explorer can affect toolbar add-ins and Microsoft ActiveX controls. For example, 32-bit toolbar add-ins does not work in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer. These add-ins include the MSN toolbar, the AOL toolbar, the eBay toolbar, and the Google toolbar. You can install 32-bit toolbars in the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer. However, the 32-bit toolbars will not appear in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer.

     

    For example, when you start the Setup program for the 32-bit Google toolbar in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer, the Google Setup program closes the 64-bit Internet Explorer window. The Google Setup program opens a new 32-bit Internet Explorer window when setup is completed. The Google toolbar appears in the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer, and the toolbar works correctly. The 32-bit Google toolbar is not installed in the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer.

     

    By design, the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer cannot host 32-bit ActiveX controls. Additionally, the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer cannot host 64-bit ActiveX controls.

    When I started the 64-bit version, I do agree and confirm that Windows Live Toolbar (MSN or Bing) does not appear in my IE8, but the Google Toolbar was showing up there.  I had a problem with the Google Toolbar using 50% of CPU resources and finally uninstalled it.  It was about May of this year that they fixed that problem and so I reinstalled the toolbar.

    I have never seen anything about Google's Toolbar being 32-bit.  So my question still remains as I asked it at the bottom of this thread.  I have a Google Toolbar in my 64-bit browser.  Is that a problem?


    We are All ONE!

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-04-05T19:12:03+00:00

    I will have to do some checking on my own, but when My Google Toolbar is updated does it update both 64-bit and 32-bit?

    Another way to ask this is: I have a Google Toolbar in my 64-bit browser.  Is that a problem?


    We are All ONE!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments