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

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-04-05T18:23:16+00:00

    On Mon, 5 Apr 2010 16:55:15 +0000, KC-Jenner wrote:

    > I see. Thankyou. 1 last question then... if I'm running 64-bit IE and these 32-bit only programs are out there, will i have to close and open the 32-bit version of IE,

    No.

    > or do they both work together?

    Yes. In 64-bit Windows, you can run 64-bit programs (IE or others) and

    32-bit programs simultaneously.

    Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003

    Ken Blake

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-05T16:55:15+00:00

    I see. Thankyou. 1 last question then... if I'm running 64-bit IE and these 32-bit only programs are out there, will i have to close and open the 32-bit version of IE, or do they both work together?

     

    I appreciate everyones answers, thankyou!

    Milton.

    I have a 64-bit machine and have both IE8 versions, but don't run it in 64-bit becuase of flash.  I did have to install Java in a special way because of having both, but it appears to update both automatically.  Prior to the installation of both versions of Java the information given was that it would automatically know which version to use.  I am guessing that would be based on which version of IE I started.  I ran the 64-bit IE8 maybe once.  But since I visit YouTube a lot I got the message that I needed to install flash.  And that was not available in 64-bit.  So I guess when that becomes available I'll be using the 32-bit mode most of the time.

    More specifically to reply to your latest question at this time it is possible to have 32 bit mode Windows Explorer and 64-bit mode Windows Explorer running at the same time.  And I just ran the 64-bit IE while finishing this message (that is being composed from the 32-bit IE).

    Some kind of destination has to be decided upon initially, but it is the journey that is of most importance really and perhaps this is why we have heard it said, "Good Journey!"

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-03-24T01:12:50+00:00

    I see. Thankyou. 1 last question then... if I'm running 64-bit IE and these 32-bit only programs are out there, will i have to close and open the 32-bit version of IE, or do they both work together?

    I appreciate everyones answers, thankyou!

    Milton.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-03-23T13:04:57+00:00

    OK, but my question is, if I have a 64-bit OS, why do I still need the 32-bit Internet Explorer, instead of just the 64-bit Internet Explorer?

     

    Thankyou,

    Milton.

    Because some internet programs, notably Flash, are only available as 32-Bit versions - if you didn't have IE8 32-Bit you would potentially miss out on a huge amount of web content.

    All answers and suggestions are provided by an enthusiastic amateur and are therefore without warranty either explicit or implicit. Basically you use my suggestions at your own risk.

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