Fichiers de programme (x86)
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Duno59 Posted messages 876 Registration date Status Membre Last intervention -
Duno59 Posted messages 876 Registration date Status Membre Last intervention -
Hello. I just discovered (after using Windows 10 for 3 years) that I have placed the vast majority (almost all) of my downloaded applications in the Program Files (x86) folder while most of them are 64-bit, I think (without any certainty), just like my operating system is. Everything seems to be working anyway (with some doubt about performance), but the fact is that I never manage to download applications directly into the corresponding folder automatically, meaning I always have to drop them in the "Downloads" folder first and then manually move them to the "Programs" or "Programs (x86)" folder. This creates a puzzle since I never know where to store them. Out of ignorance and pragmatism, I opted for x86. So my question is twofold:
How can I make this download automatic so that they sort themselves into the right places upon downloading? And should I now move my applications (almost all of them) into the other folder one by one, checking their operation mode (32 or 64 bit)? If yes, then I'm promised a real headache and a busy schedule! So I hope not and that I can continue to organize them as I want without causing any operational issues or that there’s an easier way to do it. It would be kind of you to explain all this to me, please. Thank you in advance.
How can I make this download automatic so that they sort themselves into the right places upon downloading? And should I now move my applications (almost all of them) into the other folder one by one, checking their operation mode (32 or 64 bit)? If yes, then I'm promised a real headache and a busy schedule! So I hope not and that I can continue to organize them as I want without causing any operational issues or that there’s an easier way to do it. It would be kind of you to explain all this to me, please. Thank you in advance.
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Hi,
So every time you want to download a software, you place the setup (.exe) in the Program Files (x86) folder, right?
Then you reopen it to install it, and it doesn't install automatically either in (x86) or in Programs!!?
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The stone and the pebble fall at the same speed (an ancient Chinese proverb)
So every time you want to download a software, you place the setup (.exe) in the Program Files (x86) folder, right?
Then you reopen it to install it, and it doesn't install automatically either in (x86) or in Programs!!?
--
The stone and the pebble fall at the same speed (an ancient Chinese proverb)
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Hello Jean, and thank you for getting back to me. I do have to place it myself (manually, that is) in the folder, and I indeed choose the Program Files (x86) since I'm not sure where else to put it. However, once it's installed there, I can always open it, and I never open it before moving it to that folder. Does that answer your question? What do you think, please? What should I do to make this sorting automatic, and ensure that my applications are organized in the right folder (between x86 and the other)? Also: can all my applications that are already sorted this way stay there without facing future issues?
Hello.
Indeed, whether we leave the downloaded software in the Downloads folder or move it to Program Files (Program Files has disappeared in Windows 10. Only Program Files and Program Files (x86) remain) to launch the Setup to install the software, it makes no difference: if the software is 64-bit, it will automatically install in Program Files. If it is 32-bit, it will install in Program Files (x86). The only difference is that by leaving the downloaded software in the Downloads folder when we want to install it, we can delete this download, which is no longer of any use, after installation. On the other hand, if we place it in Program Files (x86) and install it from there, the Program Files (x86) directory will become cluttered with a lot of useless files.
In general, when we download software, the site detects whether the computer is 32 or 64-bit and automatically offers the appropriate version, unless the software is only available in 32-bit.
Indeed, whether we leave the downloaded software in the Downloads folder or move it to Program Files (Program Files has disappeared in Windows 10. Only Program Files and Program Files (x86) remain) to launch the Setup to install the software, it makes no difference: if the software is 64-bit, it will automatically install in Program Files. If it is 32-bit, it will install in Program Files (x86). The only difference is that by leaving the downloaded software in the Downloads folder when we want to install it, we can delete this download, which is no longer of any use, after installation. On the other hand, if we place it in Program Files (x86) and install it from there, the Program Files (x86) directory will become cluttered with a lot of useless files.
In general, when we download software, the site detects whether the computer is 32 or 64-bit and automatically offers the appropriate version, unless the software is only available in 32-bit.
Ah? So yes, I confirm that my Program Files (x86) folder is cluttered with folders and subfolders. What should I do to declutter it? Unless this clutter doesn't really interfere with the operation. It's worth noting that my PC is quite slow to begin with. Does this make it slower? Also, how can I make sure that it offers me this folder selection detection? It suggests it, but it refuses my choice whether it's Program Files or Program Files (x86); it only accepts the "Downloads" folder. What steps should I take to regain this option, please?
Hello.
When downloading a program to install, it is always the Downloads folder that will be used. It is from this folder that the program installation will take place. This folder contains all the parameters for the program to install correctly in the right place. Once installed, the downloaded program becomes unnecessary and can be deleted.
In principle, unnecessary files in the Program Files (x86) directory shouldn't specifically slow down the computer. They just take up unnecessary space on the disk. However, distinguishing properly installed files from unnecessary files is another problem. I see only one solution: uninstall all software while noting their names. When everything is uninstalled, if there are directories remaining with the same name as any of those recently uninstalled, they are installation programs. Move them to the Downloads folder (Ctrl + X on the folder name to cut it and then Ctrl + V to paste it into Downloads). All that’s left is to reinstall the deleted programs from the Downloads folder.
What can slow down the computer are programs that load automatically at startup. These take up memory space to the detriment of Windows' proper functioning. If these programs are not loaded into memory, they will start in 1 second instead of half a second, but they will no longer take up memory space. There are certainly several programs that are loaded automatically and do not need to be. The only essential ones are security programs (antivirus and firewall) and machine components (sound card or touchpad, for example). For others, their usefulness being loaded at startup is questionable and for most, unnecessary.
To see the list of programs loaded at startup, click on Start > Settings > Apps > Startup. Here you will find the list of programs that automatically load at computer startup. Disabling certain programs will not prevent them from functioning correctly, but it will free up memory for the proper functioning of Windows.
When downloading a program to install, it is always the Downloads folder that will be used. It is from this folder that the program installation will take place. This folder contains all the parameters for the program to install correctly in the right place. Once installed, the downloaded program becomes unnecessary and can be deleted.
In principle, unnecessary files in the Program Files (x86) directory shouldn't specifically slow down the computer. They just take up unnecessary space on the disk. However, distinguishing properly installed files from unnecessary files is another problem. I see only one solution: uninstall all software while noting their names. When everything is uninstalled, if there are directories remaining with the same name as any of those recently uninstalled, they are installation programs. Move them to the Downloads folder (Ctrl + X on the folder name to cut it and then Ctrl + V to paste it into Downloads). All that’s left is to reinstall the deleted programs from the Downloads folder.
What can slow down the computer are programs that load automatically at startup. These take up memory space to the detriment of Windows' proper functioning. If these programs are not loaded into memory, they will start in 1 second instead of half a second, but they will no longer take up memory space. There are certainly several programs that are loaded automatically and do not need to be. The only essential ones are security programs (antivirus and firewall) and machine components (sound card or touchpad, for example). For others, their usefulness being loaded at startup is questionable and for most, unnecessary.
To see the list of programs loaded at startup, click on Start > Settings > Apps > Startup. Here you will find the list of programs that automatically load at computer startup. Disabling certain programs will not prevent them from functioning correctly, but it will free up memory for the proper functioning of Windows.
In addition, it would be interesting to clean up unnecessary files on the computer: button Start, in the list of programs Windows Administrative Tools then Disk Cleanup. Once cleaned, perform a defragmentation. Access to the tool is also in Windows Administrative Tools and is called Defragment and Optimize Drives. To be done after the cleanup.
Thank you very much for all these explanations. I will try to proceed with all of this now that I have reset my Windows after a daily barrage of nasty viruses that I could no longer get rid of permanently. It seems to be resolved (for now), but I am now burdened with files in the x86 folders and programs. Would you say that the cleaning offered by CCleaner (the paid, professional version) is equivalent to the one from Windows that you mentioned, or is it more effective or less? I'm just a little afraid of deleting useful files during my cleaning because I really can't see myself uninstalling the default Windows software and searching for it again. I am way too clumsy to accomplish that feat. One last little piece of advice to help me avoid the worst, please? And I'm really sorry to come so late (to be honest, I didn't quite understand the steps to take).
Hello.
I would simply reply that they are equally effective. One is paid and intrusive, the other is free. It's up to you to choose. If you install CCleaner, be sure to disable it from the programs starting up with Windows.
The cleaning by Windows is explained in more detail here: https://www.commentcamarche.net/informatique/windows/25299-nettoyage-de-disque-windows/?utm_source=MagNews&utm_campaign=CommentCaMarche+High+Tech_2020-04-22&utm_medium=email
I would simply reply that they are equally effective. One is paid and intrusive, the other is free. It's up to you to choose. If you install CCleaner, be sure to disable it from the programs starting up with Windows.
The cleaning by Windows is explained in more detail here: https://www.commentcamarche.net/informatique/windows/25299-nettoyage-de-disque-windows/?utm_source=MagNews&utm_campaign=CommentCaMarche+High+Tech_2020-04-22&utm_medium=email