Program file folders

[Maxpet]

Hey,

I just won an HP TouchSmart PC and as I'm transfering files from my old comp to my new one, I saw two Program File folders:

Program Files
Program Files (x86)

My question is, does it matter which Program File folder i put my stuff in?

-Jen

 

[Airbot]

Hey,

I just won an HP TouchSmart PC and as I'm transfering files from my old comp to my new one, I saw two Program File folders:

Program Files
Program Files (x86)

My question is, does it matter which Program File folder i put my stuff in?

-Jen

Hi Jen,

You must have won a 64 bit version of the Vista OS. The program files folder is for 64 bit applications and the program files (x86) is for 32 bit apps that need to be emulated to work in the 64 bit environment. 32 bit is (x86) and 64 bit is (x64).
I suggest you learn more about 64 bit if you don't know anything about it.

Here's a little start. And congratulations on your win.

32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions - Windows Vista Help

 

[SIW2]

Hi Maxpet,

I wouldn't transfer anything into those folders if I were you.They are not just another folder for putting data in , like for example the Documents folder.

That is where the files for the programs should automatically go when you run their program installer - i.e. when you install them.

As Airbot says, 32bit ones will appear under Program Files x86, and the 64 bit programs will appear under Program Files.

Welcome to the Forum and Happy New Year, Jen.

SIW2

 

[johngalt]

Indeed - if you have never used Vista before, it is nothing like XP - you do ***not*** want to be storing settings and documents in those two folders - they are named Program Files for a reason - it is where the programs go.

Have you used Vista before?