The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Program Files & Program Files (x86)

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by iph03n1xi, Sep 6, 2008.

  1. iph03n1xi

    iph03n1xi Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    465
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey guys, I'm wondering why my C drive has two folders, both a "Program Files" and a "Program Files (x86)". This is on a 64-bit version of Vista Home Premium. When I was running 32-bit Home Premium there was nothing like this, but now I'm confused.

    Thanks.
     
    iph03n1xi, Sep 6, 2008
    #1
  2. livesoft

    livesoft BUSTED

    Reputations:
    337
    Messages:
    1,411
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The Program Files (x86) is for the 32bits applications while the Program Files folder is for 64bits applications.

    The detailed anwser is:

     
    livesoft, Sep 6, 2008
    #2
  3. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,133
    Messages:
    6,399
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    206
    The programs that are coded for 64-Bit systems, and are recognised as MS as 64-Bit, go into the Program Files folder. The programs that are coded for 32-bit systems, or are not recognised at 64-bit by MS, go into the Program Files (x86) folder.
    Its done by Vista, so that the user can easily distinguish b/w 32-bit and 64-bit applications. There location really doesn't matter, as you can install programs anywhere suitable on the drive (other than Program Files).
     
    Andy, Sep 6, 2008
    #3
  4. madoon

    madoon Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    267
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    in vista 64, the program files are the 64bit programs, and the program filesx86 are the 32-bit programs..
     
    madoon, Sep 6, 2008
    #4