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
    2015-12-28T14:27:29+00:00

    Yes if you want to  ,most of the time it all ready does .

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-12-28T14:24:19+00:00

    For your answer , 86 is  32 bit , you would have a 64 or 86 ,64 is for a 64 bit system , and 86 is 32  bit system , and most of the time you would install bouth as , because not gone full  64 yet . It is abac word compadabillity yet as a lot programs ,main ones are still in 32 , that is why the government paid MICROSOFT 6 mill , to keep XP for them only , they put keys in to some what block , not fully working , can not go in to details . But should put both in , 86 & 64 .

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-26T13:50:50+00:00

    Hello ,if that helps i little .I play on facebook an   game landleven.nl.Its so slow.They say you need flash player.

    I try that an view times .has it delete an starded an new flash player.

    if you can make an other in two ,i agree.thanks

    have an nice Christmas.

    Alberdina

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-12-26T11:18:22+00:00

    Good afternoon, I have a question about installing applications. Do I have to install 64-bit applications in Program Files (x86) and 32-bit in Program Files? If not, is it at least good practise to sort programs this way?

    If any program has both versions, does it install to both folders itself?

    And the last one, why is that folder called x86 when it is folder for 64-bit applications? Is there any relationship?

    Thank you very much for answers.

    Tomáš123

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