You've probably seen the "C:\Program Files" and "C:\Program Files (x86)" folders on your computer. And you probably noticed that programs are installed both in one package and in another. Let's figure out why this is so.
32-bit and 64-bit Windows
Initially, Windows was only available in 32-bit versions. In these versions we only see the “C:\Program Files” folder, which is the recommended location for installed programs.
On 64-bit versions of Windows, 64-bit applications are installed in the Program Files folder. However, 64-bit versions of Windows also support 32-bit programs, and Microsoft doesn't want 32-bit and 64-bit software mixed in the same place. So, 32-bit programs are installed to the "C:\Program Files (x86)" folder by default.
Windows runs 32-bit applications on 64-bit versions of Windows using WOW64. When you run a 32-bit program on a 64-bit version of Windows, the WOW64 emulation layer seamlessly redirects file access from "C:\Program Files" to "C:\Program Files (x86)".
What's in each folder?
So on 32-bit Windows, you only have a "C:\Program Files" folder that contains all the installed 32-bit programs.
On 64-bit Windows, 64-bit programs are stored in the "C:\Program Files" folder, and 32-bit programs are stored in the "C:\Program Files (x86)" folder.
This is why different programs are installed in different folders.
Why are they separated?
A compatibility feature designed for older 32-bit programs that may not know that 64-bit Windows even exists, so Windows prevents them from talking to 64-bit code directly.
32-bit programs cannot load 64-bit libraries (DLL files) and may crash if they try to load a particular DLL file and encounter a 64-bit version instead of a 32-bit one. The same goes for 64-bit programs. Having independent program files for different processor architectures prevents such errors.
For example, let's say Windows would simply use a single Program Files folder. The 32-bit application will look for the Microsoft Office DLL file found in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office and try to load it. However, if you have a 64-bit version of Microsoft Office installed, the application will crash and will not work properly because... it won't be able to find the DLL at all because the 64-bit version of Microsoft Office will be located at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office, and the 32-bit application will look at C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office.
It also helps when a developer creates both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of an application, especially if they need to be installed at once in some situations. The 32-bit version is automatically installed in C:\Program Files (x86), and the 64-bit version is automatically installed in C:\Program Files. If Windows used one folder, the application developer would have to set the 64-bit folder to another folder to separate them. And there probably wouldn't be a real standard where developers set different versions.
Why is the 32-bit folder called (x86)?
You won't always see "32-bit" and "64-bit". Instead, you sometimes see "x86" and "x64" to refer to these two different architectures. This is because early computers used the Intel 8086 chip. The original chips were 16-bit, but newer versions have become 32-bit. "X86" now refers to all "versions" up to 64-bit architecture - be it 16-bit or 32-bit. The new 64-bit architecture is also called “x64”.
The "Program Files (x86)" folder is a folder for programs using the old x86 processor architecture. Note, however, that 64-bit versions of Windows cannot run 16-bit code.
It usually doesn't matter
It usually doesn't matter whether program files are stored in Program Files or Program Files (x86). Windows automatically installs programs in the correct folder, so you don't have to think about it. Programs appear in the Start menu and function normally no matter where they are installed. Both 32-bit and 64-bit programs should store your data in folders like AppData and ProgramData and not in any Program Files folder. Just let your programs automatically decide which Program Files folder to use.
Sometimes you need to know where a program is stored. Let's say you want to go into your Steam directory to backup some files. You'll find it in C:\Program Files (x86) since Steam is a 32-bit program.
If you do not know which version of the program you have installed, 32 or 64 bit, then you can look in the Windows task manager.
On 64-bit versions of Windows, 32-bit programs are marked with additional "(32-bit)" text, giving you a hint that you'll find them in C:\Program Files (x86).
When you start looking at your drive on which the operating system is installed, you can find a lot of things. For example, some time ago I talked about. Today we’ll talk about a folder called Program Files (x86): what’s in it and can it be deleted?
You can find a folder called Program Files (x86) in the root of the system drive, usually drive C. You probably know that the Program Files folder itself is necessary for installing various programs - by default, programs are installed in it. But this is a folder without any annotations, but here we are talking about a folder with the additional name x86. Moreover, if you have a folder with this name, then in the root you will find the Program Files folder without any additional additions.
The casket, as they say, opens simply. There are two versions of the Windows operating system - . In short, the difference between them is that in one clock cycle of processor time the system can process a command of 32 or 64 bits, respectively. In addition, a 64-bit operating system supports a much larger amount of RAM, while a 32-bit operating system supports no more than 4 GB (in fact, even less).
If we talk about the 32-bit version of Windows, then it only supports 32-bit programs. Accordingly, if you want to run a 64-bit program on a 32-bit system, you will receive an error. True, in many cases such an application can still be launched, but only by “dancing with a tambourine.” The 64-bit operating system supports both 32-bit and 64-bit programs and applications. Accordingly, 32-bit programs and applications are installed in the Program Files (x86) folder, and 64-bit ones are installed in the Program Files folder. It is for this reason that you see two folders with virtually identical names in the root of the folder. And this is not a bug or a system glitch, as some users believe. By the way, the Program Files (x86) folder takes its name from early Intel processors: 8086, 80186, 80286, etc. So, in any case, it is believed.
How to delete the Program Files (x86) folder?
This folder can be deleted just as easily as other folders. Administrator rights may be required. Another question is why do this if 32-bit applications are installed in this folder? In addition, already installed applications will be deleted along with the folder. Why do you need all this?
I believe that this folder should not be touched at all. After all, she doesn't bother anyone.
Remember, not so long ago I wrote an article - “Do you still save documents and programs on the system drive?” Well, this particular note will be a continuation of the first! So let's begin.
You can read the first note (if you haven’t read it) several times below on my blog to keep up to date with events. There I told you that you do not need to install programs on the system drive in the Program Files folder. The system drive is where the operating system is installed. However, there are programs that are installed only on the system drive, and it is impossible to reassign their installation path manually. What to do then? And everything is very simple, we will use the system registry of the operating system. To put it simply, the system registry is a kind of database that stores the parameters of the entire computer, operating system and installed programs. For example, even when we change the screensaver on the desktop, all changes to the change of this screensaver occur in the system registry. It’s just that the operating system provides us with a convenient graphical interface for its convenient and fine-tuning.
Here is the system registry itself. It has a tree structure, with each heading expanding.
So, let's move on to reassigning the program installation folder. All this works in both Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Attention, strictly follow the instructions described below! Do not change any other registry settings. This can lead to the operating system crashing.
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By default, the Windows operating system installs all programs in the “Program Files” folder located on the system drive (where the system is located). If you want programs to be installed in a different folder, for example the “Programs” folder located on a nearby drive where there is no operating system. So, three steps.
Step 1. Open the registry editor (“Start” – “Run” – “regedit”). That is, sequentially - first Start, then click Run and enter “regedit” in a special field and OK.
P.S If the “Run” command is not displayed, then right-click on the “Start” button, go to properties and on the “Start Menu” tab, click the “Customize” button.
Then check the box next to “Run Command”
All settings are identical to both Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Step 2. Go to the branch - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE then SOFTWARE then Microsoft then Windows then CurrentVersion
Step 3. Open the “ProgramFileDir” key (double click), in the “Value” field there will be an entry “your drive:\Program Files” (for example, your drive H:\ is the system one. Enter in this field the address of the desired folder for installing programs, for example – “D :\Programs". Click "Ok" and restart the computer. It is better to give the name of the folder for the programs in English.
Now all programs will be installed in a new folder by default! All of the above settings work in Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Strong knowledge to you with respect Artyom Yushchenko!