Strike X Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I am confuse. Why do I have two Program Files folders? Also both folders have 'Internet Explorer', 'Windows Mail', 'Windows Sidebar' and so son.. On the start menu I have: 'Internet Explorer (64-bit)' and 'Internet Explorer' Huh? :cry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reacon Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 You're using 64 bit Windows. Don't worry about it. Just let the applications decide what folder when they install. Also use IE reg since I think flash or java doesn't work on the 64 bit version. basically the two PF folders are to separate your applications for organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.KICK Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 You installed Windows 7 64bit so it creates two folders. The x86 is for 32bit programs and the other is for 64bit. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strike X Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 Ah I see, thanks. So why 'Windows Mail', 'Windows Media Player', 'Windows Defender', 'Windows Sidebar', 'Internet Explorer' are in C:\Program Files (x86) as well? What the points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreadBoat89 Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Ah I see, thanks.So why 'Windows Mail', 'Windows Media Player', 'Windows Defender', 'Windows Sidebar', 'Internet Explorer' are in C:\Program Files (x86) as well? What the points? well logically speaking... those programs are 32-bit if they are in that folder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Veteran Posted May 15, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 15, 2009 Those are all 32-bit applications because they need them to be compatible with the x86 Windows and there is no need to recompile them. (There are x64 versions of Media Player and Internet Explorer, they're just not the default ones.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdood Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Ah I see, thanks.So why 'Windows Mail', 'Windows Media Player', 'Windows Defender', 'Windows Sidebar', 'Internet Explorer' are in C:\Program Files (x86) as well? What the points? The reason is to be compatible with third-party extensions (like the Flash plugin for IE, or a video codec for Windows Media Player), as these tend to be 32-bit only and thus can't be loaded by a 64-bit program. In other words, Windows includes both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of certain programs so that you can pick the one you prefer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strike X Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 Interesting.. Why many Microsoft programs are 32-bit as default? I just checked the shortcuts on the start menu. Many Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIVIsectVI Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Compatibility reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AltecXP Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Interesting..Why many Microsoft programs are 32-bit as default? I just checked the shortcuts on the start menu. Many TO ensure that many plug-ins still work that don't have x64 versions available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdood Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Interesting..Why many Microsoft programs are 32-bit as default? I just checked the shortcuts on the start menu. Many Virtually all browser plugins and multimedia codecs are 32-bit. If the 64-bit version of the programs were set as default, things would just stop working and users would have no clue what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GusValentine Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Microsoft has provided 2 versions of some programs for compatibility purposes, the 32-bit versions are used by default, but you have the choice to run the 64-bit versions. Like Recon415 said, Flash and Silverlight don't work in the 64-bit version of IE8; and some third party codecs and plugins may not work with the 64-bit version of WMP. But eventually all 64-bit apps will be supported so you will have the choice to use the 64-bit versions. I've been using 32-bit IE8, but using 64-bit WMP without a problem so far... To tell which version of a program is running, right-click the taskbar, Start Task Manager, Processes tab, those that are 32-bit will show *32 next to them, all others would be 64-bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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