Program Files

[Daq32]

Recently built a computer and have a question regarding how Windows 7 organizes programs. When I look in explorer at the how files are organized, why is there a "Program Files" file and a "Program Files (x86)" file? Im kind of OCD about how things are organized on my computer, and I dont understand why there are two places for Programs.

 

[0___________0]

"Program Files" is the folder for 64 bit programs, while "Program Files (x86) is the folder for 32 bit programs.

 

[lxskllr]

Program Files is for 64bit programs, and Program Files (x86) is for 32bit.

 

[Daq32]

Will the system allow up to install programs to the Program Files folder that arent 64-bit? Does windows automatically determine what goes where?

 

[cl-scott]

There's no real particular reason why one has to go in one place or the other, it's really just to help keep things separate. Typically the program installer will default to the "(x86)" directory for a 32-bit program.

 

[Aluvus]

Does windows automatically determine what goes where?

Basically, yes.

 

[ViRGE]

Will the system allow up to install programs to the Program Files folder that arent 64-bit? Does windows automatically determine what goes where?

To be specific, it depends a bit on what the installer is doing. Windows isn't that smart and doesn't actively keep 32bit programs out of Program Files, but it will try to make sure everything installs to the right location in the first place.

For a simple 3rd party installers (e.g. NSIS), the installer will just read the environment variables Windows passes out and act accordingly. And since those installers are 32bit, they will get the variables for 32bit applications.

Meanwhile a more complex package will be using the Windows Installer service, where the package will have a manifest listing the application as being 32bit or 64bit. Windows Installer will take it from there based on the manifest.