Hi, JK.
Because of differences in the hardware infrastructures, 64-bit and 32-bit
OSes and apps need to use different DLLs, drivers, etc. Windows x64
versions (WinXP X64, Vista X64, Win7 X64, etc.) use the two separate program
files folders, as Parko said. This way, Windows can associate the proper
drivers with each application.
While it is not strictly necessary to have them in those folders, I don't
know of any good reason to not follow that convention MOST of the time. For
example, I've continued to install annual updates of Quicken into
E
Quicken, rather than into C
Program Files - or into Program Files (x86)
since it is a 32-bit app running on Win7 X64. Now, when (if?) Intuit ever
produces a 64-bit Quicken, I may need to reconsider my practice.
The transition to 64-bit computing is still in progress, as I'm sure you
know, and the progress is slow. Very few apps, even from Microsoft, come as
64-bit-only programs. Even the new Microsoft Office 2010 is available in
both 32-bit and 64-bit versions - and Microsoft recommends the 32-bit
version for most users. (I'm using the 64-bit Office 2010, but for no good
reason except to be on the "bleeding edge", and my use of Office components
is minimal now, unlike when I was in active practice several years ago.)
And Adobe has not yet updated their popular Flash Player to work with 64-bit
browsers; when I want to see a video that uses Flash, I have to run the
32-bit edition of IE8. Microsoft includes both 32-bit and 64-bit editions
of IE in every Windows X64 since WinXP X64, but they set the default to the
32-bit edition.
My plan is to adopt 64-bit versions of programs as they become available and
to suffer the growing pains of the transition for the good of humanity. ;^}
RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@grandecom.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2010 (15.3.2804.0607) in Win7 Ultimate x64)
"JKConey" wrote in message news:i35p9v$k0u$1@news.eternal-september.org...
"Parko" <nothere@nowhere.invalid> wrote in message
news:i35mob$3tj$5@news.eternal-september.org...
> On Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:27:00 -0400, JKConey scrawled:
>
>> Can someone point me to a link the explains when one is better than the
>> other to use when there's a prog that offers a choice? Do we have to
>> segregate the program locations? Thanks!
>
> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows-vista/32-bit-and-64-bit-
> Windows-frequently-asked-questions
>
> or:
>
> http://bit.ly/9lq3CD
>
> 32 and 64 bit applications are placed in different Program Files
> directories. I use the 64 bit applications whenever they're available.
>
> --
> Computer says: "No"
They don't need to be in different directories, correct?
--
JK Sinrod
www.myconeyislandmemories.com