程序文件也称为可执行文件，是包含在计算机系统中运行软件所需的二进制代码的应用程序。随之而来的问题是，为什么我们在 64 位操作系统中有两个不同的程序文件。C盘里面有程序文件和程序文件（x86）两个文件夹，里面存放的文件夹数量几乎相等。那么让我们看看Windows 10中的(Windows 10)Program Files (x86)和Program Files 文件(Program Files)夹之间的区别以及它们之间的区别。
Program Files ( x86 ) 和Program Files 文件(Program Files)夹之间的区别
这两个不同的程序文件仅在 64 位操作系统中可用。32 位操作系统将只有一个程序文件夹。
主要区别在于文件路径为“ C:\Program Files ”的程序文件夹用于执行 64 位应用程序，而文件路径为“ C:\Program Files (x86) ”的程序文件 (x86) 文件夹用于执行32 位应用程序。
32 位程序无法加载 64 位库，两个文件夹重叠会导致功能错误。Microsoft开发人员巧妙地创建了两个不同的文件夹，让我们可以更仔细地查看这两个文件夹。
如果某个程序同时提供 32 位和 64 位版本（例如Microsoft Office ），则将这两个文件夹合并到一个文件夹中可能会产生问题。为避免可能的冲突和兼容性问题，Windows有两个Program files 文件夹。
32 位与 64 位
顾名思义，与 64 位操作系统相比， 32 位操作系统存储的数据更少。(32-bit operating system)另一方面，如果您的计算机上有大量可用RAM ，则 64 位操作系统会更加明显。(RAM)
如果您仍在使用 32 位Microsoft操作系统，您会发现您的计算机系统中只有一个“程序文件”文件夹。而流行的 64 位版本的操作系统Microsoft包含两个不同的文件夹，一个支持 64 位程序，另一个支持 32 位程序。
已创建文件夹分离以避免在 32 位程序尝试由 64 位组件执行时可能出现的问题和问题。因此，这些文件夹的设计方式是Program Files存储 64 位程序，而Program Files (x86) 存储 32 位程序。
为什么使用名为“x86”的 32 位文件夹
它一定让你想到为什么一个名为“x86”的 32 位程序文件夹而 64 位只是“x64”。较早的 16 位版本的操作系统包含Intel -8086芯片。后来，版本更新为 32 位，因此 32 位文件夹以Intel 8086芯片命名，即程序文件（x86）。64 位版本包含 64 位架构，这又称为 (x64)。处理器类型为Pentium 286、386、486(Pentium 286)和 586。
Program Files ( x86 )”和“ Program Files都可以在 64 位上运行
程序文件是安装在计算机上的第三方应用软件的目录。32 位和 64 位软件程序(32-bit and 64-bit software programs)都可以在 64 位Windows操作系统上运行。它是在 64 位Windows中用于向后兼容的仿真层的帮助下发生的。而(Whereas)64 位程序无法在 32 位操作系统上运行。因此，在这样的操作系统中可以找到一个可以在 32 位程序上运行的程序文件夹。
自动安装
正如我们之前解释的，这两个程序文件都可以在 64 位操作系统上运行，而不会对任何程序造成任何损害。该过程自行进行，不受人工干预。32 位模拟器在 64 位Windows上运行 32 位程序时执行。64 位仿真器执行相同的操作。
在手动安装或受恶意软件影响的程序的情况下可能会发生错误。硬盘驱动器中的某些程序仅与 32 位或 64 位仿真器兼容，因此错误的安装可能会妨碍程序的正常运行。
相关(Related)：System32 和 SysWOW64 文件夹之间的区别。
Difference between Program Files (x86) and Program Files folders
Program files also known as executable fileѕ are the application programs that contain the binary codes required to run the software in the computer system. Alоng with this arises a question that why do we have two different program files in the 64-bit operating system. Inside the C drive, there are two folders namely prоgram files and program files (x86), with an almoѕt equal number of folders stored in it. So let us see what is the difference between Program Files (x86) and Program Files folders in Windows 10 and how they differ from each other.
Difference between Program Files (x86) and Program Files folders
The two different program files are available only in the 64-bit operating system. The 32-bit operating system will have only a single program file folder.
The main difference is that the program file folder with file path “C:\Program Files” is used to execute 64-bit applications while the program files (x86) folder with file path “C:\Program Files (x86)” is used to execute 32-bit applications.
A 32-bit program cannot load 64-bit libraries, the overlap of two folders can result in a functional error. The Microsoft developers smartly created two distinct folders, to let us have a closer view of both the folders.
Combining both folders into one could create problems if a program was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, like say, Microsoft Office. To avoid possible conflicts and compatibility issues, Windows has two Program files folders.
32-bit vs 64-bit
As the name indicates, the 32-bit operating system stores a fewer data as compared to 64 bit OS. Looking at the other hand, the 64-bit operating system is more apparent if a large amount of RAM available on your computer.
If you are still using a 32-bit Microsoft operating system, you will find only a single “program file” folder in your computer system. Whereas, the popular 64-bit version of operating systems Microsoft contains two different folders one to support 64-bits programs and another for 32-bit programs.
The separation of folders has been created to avoid the problems and issues that can occur when a 32-bit program tries to be executed by a 64-bit component. therefore, the folders are designed in such a way that Program Files store 64-bit programs, and Program Files (x86) store 32-bit programs.
Why a 32-bit folder named “x86”
It must have triggered your mind that why a 32-bit program folder named “x86” whereas, a 64-bit is simply “x64”. The earlier 16-bit version of the operating system contained Intel -8086 chip. Later, the version was updated to 32-bit and therefore the 32-bit folder is named against Intel 8086 chip i.e., program files(x86). The 64-bit version contained 64-bit architecture which in turn is called (x64). The type of processors is Pentium 286, 386, 486, and 586.
Both Program Files (x86)” and “Program Files can run on 64-bit
Program files are a directory of the third-party application software installed on the computer. Both 32-bit and 64-bit software programs can run on 64-bit Windows operating systems. It happens with the help of the emulation layer used in 64-bit Windows for backward compatibility. Whereas, a 64-bit program cannot run on a 32-bit operating system. Therefore, a single program folder is found in such an operating system that can run on 32-bit programs.
Automatic installation
As we explained earlier, both the program files can run on a 64-bit OS without any harm to any of the programs. The process takes place on its own, irrespective of manual interference. The 32-bit emulator performs when a 32-bit program is run on a 64-bit Windows. The same action is taken by the 64-bit emulator.
The error may occur in the case of a manual installation or programs affected by malware. Some of the programs in the hard drive are compatible only with 32 -bit or 64-bit emulators therefore a wrong installation can hamper the working of programs correctly.
Related: Difference between System32 and SysWOW64 folders.
