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
    2015-12-26T11:18:22+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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  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-06T01:07:16+00:00

    No, you cannot.  The system would not be able to find them.  It will probably not allow you to do the renaming anyway.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-05T16:44:56+00:00

    Can I change the names of those two folders to names that actually describe what's in them, such as "programs32bit" and "programs64bit"?

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  4. btbt 11,841 Reputation points
    2015-03-11T20:33:45+00:00

    u can switch all features to one folder through regedit, switch everything from program  files to program files (86), some applications need to be manually set from the new location, but everything still works, ur basically bypassing the windows system, also once everything is in one folder programs run quicker, because there not having to constantly load from different file locations, also the fix with E explorer is simple hard delete the file in program files, and leave the other alone, causes no issues. 

    Is the above true?

    No, that is all false. Being in a different folder has no bearing on the access speed to the file.

    The best thing is to just leave the system alone and let it take care of itself.

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