Program Files (x86) be gone

[Nastius]

I'm aware of it's purpose. The separation of 64/32 bit software. However, to my knowledge, it should not matter where they are located. What I want to know is how to change the default directory where 32 bit apps are installed to Program Files. I don't like having 2 different directories for my programs. 'Tis so pointless.

It should just be a simple registry change, but I do not want to do this by trial and error. Any information on this would be great, so far i've been pretty unsuccessful on finding out how.

Thanks,
Nathan

 

[PMcGarr]

Not pointless when you install a 64bit and 32 bit version of the same program. I don't have an example, but something to think about if you haven't already thought about it.

Paul

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hi Nastius

You might want to give
this thread a look.

http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/139250-brink-clarifaction-one-your-posts.html

Hope it helps

 

[Nastius]

Not pointless when you install a 64bit and 32 bit version of the same program. I don't have an example, but something to think about if you haven't already thought about it.

Paul

This is true, however, I most likely won't be using a 64 and a 32 bit version of the same program. I use Firefox so IE won't be used.

 

[Nastius]

Hi Nastius

You might want to give
this thread a look.

http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/139250-brink-clarifaction-one-your-posts.html

Hope it helps

They were talking about dual booting OSes, i'm using solely Vista Ultimate x64.

BTW, love the sig. Keep it up :D

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hey Nastius

Here is the original thread

http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/138849-argggg-drive-corruption.html

What Brink is saying is that x86 & x64 apps. - progs.
don't coexist well together.

Is that what you are asking?

Ted

 

[Nastius]

Well, not really. I just want all my programs to install into program files by default. I've been installing every program into Program Files by changing it during installation. So far there hasn't been an issue. But sometimes Windows will write some data to both directories. I just want Windows to, by default, install every program into Program Files. Instead of 32 bit in the x86 folder and 64 bit into Program Files. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal, it's not really. It just bothers me having two directories for programs.

It shouldn't affect how the programs run, where there installed that is. When I load an application, say iTunes 64 bit, Windows isn't going to look in the Adobe Photoshop directory(as an example) for data. So why should it matter if they are sharing the Program Files directory?

As far as dual booting a 64 bit and a 32 bit OS, I can understand how that would cause some problems. I'm only running one OS though, so that wont' be a problem.

 

[Archpope]

Some programs use both folders, such as Vista Codec Pack.

 

[Chappy]

That's hard coded in 64bit Windows to write 32bit program files to the (x86) folder and not a settings change I believe.
As for programs using both, WMP in Vista 64bit comes in both a 32 & 64bit flavor as does Calendar and they need to be in seperate folders AFAIK.

I think it's trouble looking for a place/time to happen if the two folders are totally combined and one deleted. Things like the Common Folder that holds shares may mix up certain things/programs if they're looking for a "Program Files (x86)\Common files\xx" path and can't find it.
I can visualize numerous issues here, so I would suggest to leave things be since they're obviously set up that way for a reason in 64bit.

 

[MonsterMaxx]

I don't know about your install, but it doesn't matter here if I delete the (x86) from the install directory or not, Vista will still install in the (x86) even if I've specifically changed the path so that it doesn't.

It's kinda like,
Q: "why would I hit the 'start menu' to shut down"? that's dumb.
A: who knows, it's M$'s way, live with it.

 

[Nastius]

Well thanks for the help everyone. Chappy pretty much hit exactly what I wanted, thanks.