Two program files folders x86

When bit processors were introduced, they were referred to as x64 to distinguish them from the older processor lines. In theory, there's no reason why a bit program won't work if you manually install it to your Program Files folder, and vice versa — bit programs should work fine if you install them to the Program Files x86 folder.

It's a better idea to leave them right where Windows wants them, however. If you're having trouble locating a program in the Program Files folder, try looking in the Program Files x86 folder as well.

Why do I have two Program Files folders? Tip If you're having trouble locating a program in the Program Files folder, try looking in the Program Files x86 folder as well. This is why hardware such as a sound card needs a completely different driver to work in bit Windows. If you have the bit version of Windows, you may have noticed that there are two Program Files folders on your hard drive. One is simply labeled Program Files and the other is labeled Program Files x The first folder is the default location for all of your bit programs.

It does not have an extra label at the end because as a bit operating system, it is assumed that the bit applications will go into this folder. The second folder labeled Program Files x86 is the default location for all of your bit applications.

In a sense, it is a folder designed for legacy software that is left over from the days of bit operating systems.

The x86 portion of the folder name refers to the x86 bit architecture upon which the first bit processors were developed such as the , , and Pentium CPUs.

Unfortunately, switching from bit to bit applications and operating systems is not as simple as Microsoft would like. To make the switch, every software vendor, hardware manufacturer, and user would suddenly have to stop making and using anything built on a bit architecture and begin using bit.

This is entirely impractical because most people are not willing to just junk their investment in hardware and software and buy everything new again. In other words, most bit applications will function in the bit operating environment. To help make the transition easier, Microsoft has designated that all bit application should, by default, be loaded into the Program Files x86 folder rather than getting mixed in with true bit applications in the regular Program Files folder.

Windows uses an emulator of sorts to run bit applications in bit Windows. You may have seen some folders on your system that have the term WOW Windows will automatically recognize where the program files should be stored. Have any questions? Search for:. Tags: productivity Technology Windows Latest Updates.