What is Program Files (X86)?

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EmmaBug03

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#1 EmmaBug03
Member since 2006 • 237 Posts
Never seen this. After building my first computer and just loaded windows Vista 64 bit and i start looking around and I see the normal folder "program files" then I see under it "Program files (x86). Both have basically the same folders in them from things I have loaded...
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ajkalan

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#2 ajkalan
Member since 2004 • 399 Posts
The regular Program Files folder is for 64-bit programs, whereas the x86 folder is for the 32-bit programs built for earlier operating systems (i.e. XP).
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Crysis_Pwns

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#3 Crysis_Pwns
Member since 2007 • 806 Posts

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/64bit/russel_x64faq.mspx

Q.Why do some of my programs install into the Program Files Directory, and others into the Program Files (X86) directory?A.

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition redirects the Program Files directory for all programs that are 32-bit during the installation to the Program Files(x86) directory. Programs that 64-bit are installed into the Program Files directory.

I would assume its the same deal on vista 64 bit.