What is the difference between Program Files (x86) and Program Files

"Program Files" is a mandatory folder on all operating systems Windows. He was present just before Windows XP and is still running on Microsoft's new operating systems.

What's in the "Program Files" folder

This folder is located by default on the system partition, being typical systems and applications with 32-bit architecture. "C: \ Program Files" Most often.
If you enter this folder, you will see that there are application folders installed on the operating system. Besides these, there may be folders in which they are saved settings and other common data / modules of installed applications. "Common Files". It is not a good idea under any circumstances to delete the "Program Files" folder or other folders and files inside it. Deleting some data from this folder inevitably leads to errors in the installed applications and instability of the operating system Windows.

What is the difference between "Program Files"And"Program Files (x86)"

On many computers, next to "C:\Program Files" we find the folder "C:\Program Files (x86)". And in this directory we will find folders also of the applications installed on the operating system Windows, but this time here they will be stored only those dedicated to architecture on 64-bits. Program Files (x86) being a typical folder for operating systems Windows on NEVER-bits.

Due to Microsoft's desire not to install 32-bit and 64-bit applications in the same folder, along with "Program Files" it appeared "Program Files (x86)".
Operating System Windows 64-bit can run applications designed for 32-bit architecture through "WOW64". "Windows NO ONE-bit Windows 64-bit". Then if we launch a 32-bit application on a 64-bit system, WOW64 will emulate and redirect the files from "C:\Program Files" to "C:\Program Files (x86)". Moreover, in the folder Windows, where the system folder is located "System32", We find a second very important system folder, which deals with these operations. "SysWOW64".

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