How to install 32 bit program?

A

AsG

I have Vista Ultimate and running in 64 bit system (shown in the system
panel). How do I install program to run ONLY in 32 bits?

I notice when I install programs, it goes into "c:\program files (x86)\"
folder?. But there is another "c:\program files" folder too.

I also notice in the control panel, there is a "View 32 bits Control Panel".
What does this do?

Thank you.
 
N

Nicholas Hanson

Just install the program normally. A program only runs one way or the
other, you can't switch them yourself. When you install the program Vista
detects if it's 32bit of 64bit. 32bit programs will install in "c:\program
files (x86)\" automatically for you. 64bit programs will install in
"c:\program files\" (again automatically.) It may look like some things are
both because they are listed in both but that's just because Microsoft
included both versions with the OS (like there is a 32 and 64 bit version of
IE). This is NOT one program running both ways, it's two entirely different
installs. The 32bit versions were included typically because the programs
support plug-ins and 32bit plug-ins don't work in 64bit programs. So for
example there STILL isn't a 64bit version of flash. So if you want flash in
your web browser you have to use the 32bit version of IE.

The control panel is similar. Everything in the main control panel is
64bit. If you install anything that has a control panel app though and is
32 bit it goes into the "View 32bit Control Panel." Again it's only one or
the other though you can't switch them yourselves. For example right now
one of the things I have in the 32bit Control Panel is QuickTime, this is
because there isn't a 64 bit version of QuickTime yet. However if at some
point Apple does release one the icon will go into the main control panel
because it's 64bit.

I hope this clears things up for you.

Nick
 

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