"Program Files" vs. "Program Files (x86)"

It is my understanding that 32-bit programs go in the "Program Files
(x86)" folder and 64-bit programs go in the "Program Files" folder.

What if GOD FORBID I make a mistake and try to run a program from the
"wrong" folder?

Don't ask me to give it a try because I am too great a coward.

Hi, PD.

Don't panic! ;^}

The reason for the separate folders is so that 64-bit Windows 7 (and WinXP
and Vista) can associate the proper 64-bit or 32-bit DLLs and other
supporting files with the program. The Setup or Install process for each
application should detect the proper PF folder during the installation and
put all the files in the right place.

Once installation is complete, all we have to do is click on the EXE file to
run the app. For Internet Explorer, for example, we can run the 64-bit
version by clicking on "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe", or
run the 32-bit version by clicking on "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer
(x86)\iexplore.exe". Of course, we can use all the usual alternative ways
to run the app, such as a shortcut, or pin it to the Start menu or the
Taskbar.

Don't ask me to give it a try because I am too great a coward.

I wouldn't know how to give it a try. All I know is to click one .exe file
or the other .exe file; from there, it's all automatic. ;)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2011 (Build 15.4.3538.0513) in Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1


"PDFrank" wrote in message ...

It is my understanding that 32-bit programs go in the "Program Files
(x86)" folder and 64-bit programs go in the "Program Files" folder.

What if GOD FORBID I make a mistake and try to run a program from the
"wrong" folder?

Don't ask me to give it a try because I am too great a coward.

On Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:13:16 -0500, PDFrank wrote:

It is my understanding that 32-bit programs go in the "Program Files
(x86)" folder and 64-bit programs go in the "Program Files" folder.

What if GOD FORBID I make a mistake and try to run a program from the
"wrong" folder?

I am unable to make sense of your question. You can't "try" to run a
program from the "'wrong' folder" because it's not there. When you
run a program, you run it from the location where it is. (Windows 7
makes this considerably easier than XP, because you can just type the
first few letters of the program name and it will find it for you.)

If you mean, what if you try to *install* a program to the wrong
folder, that at least is a meaningful question. Unfortunately, I'm
not sure what would happen. I would not recommend the experiment,
though. Microsoft just assumes you will do things in the Microsoft
way, and if you try to do things differently you increase your
chances of something going wrong.


--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

On Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:13:16 -0500, PDFrank wrote:

It is my understanding that 32-bit programs go in the "Program Files
(x86)" folder and 64-bit programs go in the "Program Files" folder.

What if GOD FORBID I make a mistake and try to run a program from the
"wrong" folder?

Don't ask me to give it a try because I am too great a coward.


Sorry, but your question makes no sense. Since programs are
automatically put into the correct folder, you have no option to try
to run a program from the wrong folder.

If you mean something else, please explain what.

On Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:13:16 -0500, PDFrank wrote:

It is my understanding that 32-bit programs go in the "Program Files
(x86)" folder and 64-bit programs go in the "Program Files" folder.

What if GOD FORBID I make a mistake and try to run a program from the
"wrong" folder?

Don't ask me to give it a try because I am too great a coward.

Purely for windows reference.
I avoid installing my programs there anyway. Mine get installed on other
partitions. I don't care if it's 64 or 32.

On 12/31/2011 8:52 AM PT, richard typed:

It is my understanding that 32-bit programs go in the "Program Files
(x86)" folder and 64-bit programs go in the "Program Files" folder.

What if GOD FORBID I make a mistake and try to run a program from the
"wrong" folder?

Don't ask me to give it a try because I am too great a coward.

Purely for windows reference.
I avoid installing my programs there anyway. Mine get installed on other
partitions. I don't care if it's 64 or 32.

Ditto. However, some programs like to install their stuff in there.
--
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can use that magnifying glass to light ants on fire, and then perhaps
host a week of shows on the sudden, unexpected, dangerous flaming ant
epidemic. If we amplify everything, we hear nothing..." --Jon Stewart
from Rally to Restore Sanity on 10/30/2010.
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| |o o| |
\ _ / If crediting, then use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.
( ) If e-mailing, then axe ANT from its address if needed.
Ant is currently not listening to any songs on this computer.

Ken Blake wrote:

Sorry, but your question makes no sense. Since programs are
automatically put into the correct folder, you have no option to try
to run a program from the wrong folder.



By what you wrote I suppose that never in your life have you installed a
program that didn't come with a .msi or installation .exe.

My question makes perfect sense.

On 01/01/2012 12:56 PM, PDFrank wrote:
Ken Blake wrote:

Sorry, but your question makes no sense. Since programs are
automatically put into the correct folder, you have no option to try
to run a program from the wrong folder.



By what you wrote I suppose that never in your life have you installed a
program that didn't come with a .msi or installation .exe.

My question makes perfect sense.

If you're referring to zips of self-contained programs (eg, portable
versions), it doesn't matter where you put those programs. Apart from
these, I haven't come across a Windows program without an installer for
so long I can't remember that far back. ;-)

If the program's installer offers Custom Install that includes Browse
for Folder, you could put a 32-bit program in the programs folder. Try
it, and see what happens. Report back and tell us about it.
;-O
Wolf K.

"Evan Platt" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:52:20 -0500, richard
wrote:

Purely for windows reference.

Uhh no. It's more complex than that. By creating two separate folders,
there's a separation if a 32 bit and 64 bit version of the same
program attempt to be installed.

Which could be done under a single "\Program Files" tree by embedding the
"bitness" into the subfolder name (EG: \Application-32 vs \Application-64).

The existence of the 2 "\Program Files" folders as ZERO technical relevance.
I can install 32b apps in the 64 bit folder structure and 64b applications
under (x86) all day long and have zero issues.

Wolf K wrote:
On 01/01/2012 12:56 PM, PDFrank wrote:
Ken Blake wrote:

Sorry, but your question makes no sense. Since programs are
automatically put into the correct folder, you have no option to try
to run a program from the wrong folder.



By what you wrote I suppose that never in your life have you installed a
program that didn't come with a .msi or installation .exe.

My question makes perfect sense.

If you're referring to zips of self-contained programs (eg, portable
versions), it doesn't matter where you put those programs. Apart from
these, I haven't come across a Windows program without an installer for
so long I can't remember that far back. ;-)

If the program's installer offers Custom Install that includes Browse
for Folder, you could put a 32-bit program in the programs folder. Try
it, and see what happens. Report back and tell us about it.
;-O

I would rather YOU do it, see what happens, and report back and tell ME
about it.