Programs vs. Programs X86

shakur100

New Member
In Vista, when I need to add software manually, I'm unsure whether to place it in Programs, or Programs X86. A local retailer tells me that Windows 7 doesn't have the programs divided into these two sections, and doesn't know what 'X86' means. I've looked through the contents of both and can't discern a pattern that offers any clues. What's this about? Thanks.
 

My Computer

My computer has the "Programs" and "Programs X86" folders. My computer is also a 64bit version of Vista, I would presume that is the case for you. All of my program files are located in the "Programs X86" folder.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Elite
    CPU
    AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Some Amount of Motherness
    Memory
    6.O GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA nVIDIA GeForce GT 240 512MB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Some Amount of Soundness
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two Monitors: HP w1907 & Acer P191w
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 & 1440x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Blue 500GB
    PSU
    Some Amount of Voltageness
    Case
    Hp Pavilion Elite Case
    Cooling
    Some Amount of Coolingness
    Keyboard
    HP: Model Number: KB0911
    Mouse
    HP: M/N:M-SBQ133
    Internet Speed
    Comcast: 20 MB/S
    Other Info
    I have two monitors! I play Call of Duty: Black Ops & Modern Warfare II - Both on PC. Contact me through my website: ChaseKurry.com
32 bit programs go into the x86 folder and 64 bit programs go into the programs folder.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
Americano! I'm so jazzed about your Avatar! best one I've ever seem. Gotta get one for myself (different purpose, yeah) that'll run on FFox.
Response to both you, and to mansrm81: Thanks for the clarification, and yes, I'm 64bit. I imagine that most (??) software designers for Windows know how to configure the install code so that it will seek & find it's way to the correct of the 2 sections...I have plenty that show up in both. But now & then I dwnld. something that I have to put there myself, the way it behaves-- w/ no instructions and no automation. --Shakur100
 

My Computer

A local retailer tells me that Windows 7 doesn't have the programs divided into these two sections, and doesn't know what 'X86' means
If I were you, I would switch retailers. You don't want to be stuck with one that does not know Computer 101.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Q6600
    Memory
    4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Hard Drives
    2x250GB HDDs
    1x60GB OCZ SSD
    6 external disks 60 to 640GBs
    Other Info
    Also 1xHP desktop, 1xHP laptop, 1xGateway laptop
Yes it is true that if you must install anything manually then it will most likely belong to the x86 folder..... anything 64bit should automatically install by default to "programs" without the x86 as the instaler should be indexed to install to that location for system references and indexing

you may install any program to any director without cause for alarm or risk killing your system, it is just more logical to index installs to pre given directories for better house keeping and performance

On my personal system i have 4 directories
2 preset (programs & programsx86) for every day essentials e.g antivirus ect
2 custom built directories (D://Installed programs\software | D://Installed programs\ Games) software is for bloatware and untrusted installs and Games is for Game installs

so yes you can install you programs to the 64bit preset programs directory but it has no beneficial factor
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Me :P
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Abit IN9 32X MAX
    Memory
    8 GB OCZ PC2-6400 nVIDIA SLI-Ready Edition (4X2GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMP! GeForce GTX 260² 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 (650MHz/2100MHz
    Sound Card
    Realtek 7.1 CH HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Fujitsu siemens TFT + 32" LG HD LCD TV
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 + 1360x768
    Hard Drives
    150GB Raptor HDD
    500GB Caviar HDD
    PSU
    Thermaltake W0133RB 1200W PSU
    Case
    Antec 900
    Cooling
    Stock + Antec 900 case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 (full layout)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Revolution
Americano! I'm so jazzed about your Avatar! best one I've ever seem. Gotta get one for myself (different purpose, yeah) that'll run on FFox.

:D Thanks. I love the stick figure animations!

Yes it is true that if you must install anything manually then it will most likely belong to the x86 folder..... anything 64bit should automatically install by default to "programs" without the x86 as the instaler should be indexed to install to that location for system references and indexing

you may install any program to any director without cause for alarm or risk killing your system, it is just more logical to index installs to pre given directories for better house keeping and performance

On my personal system i have 4 directories
2 preset (programs & programsx86) for every day essentials e.g antivirus ect
2 custom built directories (D://Installed programs\software | D://Installed programs\ Games) software is for bloatware and untrusted installs and Games is for Game installs

so yes you can install you programs to the 64bit preset programs directory but it has no beneficial factor

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to make two custom directories? Would that prevent possible nasty programs/files from corrupting others in the directory?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Elite
    CPU
    AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Some Amount of Motherness
    Memory
    6.O GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA nVIDIA GeForce GT 240 512MB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Some Amount of Soundness
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two Monitors: HP w1907 & Acer P191w
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 & 1440x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Blue 500GB
    PSU
    Some Amount of Voltageness
    Case
    Hp Pavilion Elite Case
    Cooling
    Some Amount of Coolingness
    Keyboard
    HP: Model Number: KB0911
    Mouse
    HP: M/N:M-SBQ133
    Internet Speed
    Comcast: 20 MB/S
    Other Info
    I have two monitors! I play Call of Duty: Black Ops & Modern Warfare II - Both on PC. Contact me through my website: ChaseKurry.com
Just out of curiosity, why would you want to make two custom directories? Would that prevent possible nasty programs/files from corrupting others in the directory?

Nope not at all, though it can help in some cases, it just helps trace,track and troubleshoot problems
at least in my case anyway....


If a program has a set directory then it will in most cases also install parts to another directory without your knowledge.... by placing an untrusted install in a custom directory i can monitor its behaviors by locating part files in unspecified locations
so even if you install on disc D:// it may very well place parts on C:// regardless of your specified location

An install that requires by default a manual input directory will tend to only install to that set location..... anything by this means will be1 of 2.... 1 very old / 2 badly programed and thus rising suspicions to its safety
Id just say in this case it would be safer to place in an user defined location to be able to monitor the programs behavior
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Me :P
    CPU
    Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Abit IN9 32X MAX
    Memory
    8 GB OCZ PC2-6400 nVIDIA SLI-Ready Edition (4X2GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMP! GeForce GTX 260² 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 (650MHz/2100MHz
    Sound Card
    Realtek 7.1 CH HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Fujitsu siemens TFT + 32" LG HD LCD TV
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 + 1360x768
    Hard Drives
    150GB Raptor HDD
    500GB Caviar HDD
    PSU
    Thermaltake W0133RB 1200W PSU
    Case
    Antec 900
    Cooling
    Stock + Antec 900 case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 (full layout)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Revolution
Just out of curiosity, why would you want to make two custom directories? Would that prevent possible nasty programs/files from corrupting others in the directory?

Nope not at all, though it can help in some cases, it just helps trace,track and troubleshoot problems
at least in my case anyway....


If a program has a set directory then it will in most cases also install parts to another directory without your knowledge.... by placing an untrusted install in a custom directory i can monitor its behaviors by locating part files in unspecified locations
so even if you install on disc D:// it may very well place parts on C:// regardless of your specified location

An install that requires by default a manual input directory will tend to only install to that set location..... anything by this means will be1 of 2.... 1 very old / 2 badly programed and thus rising suspicions to its safety
Id just say in this case it would be safer to place in an user defined location to be able to monitor the programs behavior

I see, well thanks for the info. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Elite
    CPU
    AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Some Amount of Motherness
    Memory
    6.O GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA nVIDIA GeForce GT 240 512MB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Some Amount of Soundness
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two Monitors: HP w1907 & Acer P191w
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 & 1440x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Blue 500GB
    PSU
    Some Amount of Voltageness
    Case
    Hp Pavilion Elite Case
    Cooling
    Some Amount of Coolingness
    Keyboard
    HP: Model Number: KB0911
    Mouse
    HP: M/N:M-SBQ133
    Internet Speed
    Comcast: 20 MB/S
    Other Info
    I have two monitors! I play Call of Duty: Black Ops & Modern Warfare II - Both on PC. Contact me through my website: ChaseKurry.com
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