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Program Files or Program Files (x86)?
Curt:
Intro:
I am new to 64-bit Windows 7. I am also new to Waterfox, which is a 64-bit-only version of Firefox. I don't have Firefox installed. One of my favourite programs is Bulk Image Downloader [BID] which usually integrates with Firefox. But trying to make it work with Waterfox has made me realize some problems:
Problem:
Some of my program have installed into C:/Program Files/, while others have installed into C:/Program Files (x86)/ - and they cannot figure out how to work together!
Question:
Should they all install into "...(x86)", or is it normal that they install into two different directories? :tellme:
When I first noticed the two installation places, I thought it was something like "oh, 32-bit programs goes into "Program Folders", and 64-bit programs will go into "Program Folders (x86)", but now I am in doubt, because they don't work as they should. As an example, the named "BID" has an extension for Firefox, but the extension cannot find the mother-program, probably because they are localized in two different directories.
Is it normal with this kind of problems on 64-bit? :-\
Ath:
Quite simple:
64 bit software should go into the "Program Files" folder.
32 bit software should go into the "Program Files (x86)" folder.
This is specified by Microsoft, as enlightened in this MS community thread (and there are more, if you need them ;))
vlastimil:
... - and they cannot figure out how to work together!
-Curt (March 08, 2012, 10:16 AM)
--- End quote ---
Cooperation between 32-bit and 64-bit code is very tricky. It is not just about different folders, a 32-bit dll cannot be loaded and used by a 64-bit process (and a 64-bit dll cannot be used by a 32-bit process). If BID is integrated into Waterfox via a plug-in dll, you would need to get a 64-bit version of BID.
BTW why use a 64-bit version of FF? Do you expect FF would need more than 2GB of memory? If not, I would stick with standard FF and save myself these problems.
J-Mac:
I have been using a new 'puter running Windows 7 64-bit since January and I notice that the majority of the programs I have installed are in the (86) folder. Doesn’t much matter to me as long as they all work fine.
Jim
Innuendo:
Curt, Program Files is where 64-bit programs are installed by default. Program Files (x86) are where 32-bit programs are installed by default. This is just cosmetic for organizational purposes (Windows x64 likes to separate the 32-bit 'stuff' from the 64-bit 'stuff'), but vlastimil has your answer.
64-bit programs cannot use 32-bit plugins. This is one of the main reasons Microsoft recommends people install the 32-bit version of Office rather than the 64-bit one else people wouldn't be able to use the wealth of Office plugins that are available. This is also a reason why the 64-bit version of Total Commander is having a hard time gaining traction. People would have to leave the bajillion useful 32-bit plugins behind.
I don't think there's any real reason yet to use a 64-bit browser...and this is coming from someone who routinely has 100+ tabs open every day. :)
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