Solved Installing Apps in Program Files or Program Files *x86)


MrWho

MrWho

Well-known member
Local time
6:59 PM
Posts
38
Location
Israel
OS
Windows 11
I have wondered, for many a moon, why some programs are installed in " Program Files" while the majority are installed in " Program Files (x86)".
Just old-fashioned curiosity.
Thanks for reading
MrWho
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700F @ 2.50GH
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    Memory
    Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows
It's rather simple and been around awhile, the Program Files folder is for 64-bit/x64 programs while the Program Files (x86) is for 32-bit/x86 programs. A 64-bit install of Windows can run 32-bit programs but a 32-bit install of Windows cannot run 64-bit programs. Win10 and Win11 generally cannot run the older 16-bit programs. For Windows the first use of 64-bit pretty much was with WinXP Pro, still have a CD in my 'library' of programs. WinVista and later were either 32-bit or 64-bit but Win11 is only 64-bit.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Big thanks for the very rapid and very clear reply. 😊
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700F @ 2.50GH
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    Memory
    Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows
You're welcome.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

64-bit apps in Program Files x86 directory
2
Replies
26
Views
984
x BlueRobot
x BlueRobot
Revo Uninstaller ques
Replies
13
Views
724
Wisewiz
Wisewiz
Solved Rights issue within the Program Files / Program Files (x86) folders
Replies
12
Views
828
Bree
Bree
Program to mass convert .htm files to .html
Replies
1
Views
1K
Bree
Bree
Looking for a program for making a new homepage / Web-design program... as i have forgotten HTML coding. :-)
2 3
Replies
52
Views
2K
Marie SWE
Marie SWE

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom