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3

Is that the original reason, though? Couldn't I just install the app to C:\Program Files\App32 and C:\Program Files\App64?
– Stephen Jennings
Commented Jun 27, 2012 at 17:32
4

@StephenJennings: But that would require you to manually make the decision. The way it now works is that the process is automatic, because Windows knows what folder to provide when an application calls SHGetSpecialFolderPath to determine the install location.
– Oliver Salzburg
Commented Jun 27, 2012 at 17:39
6

@Synetech: Why install into %PROGRAMFILES% in the first place? Why not put the 32bit version on the users desktop and the 64bit into the Recycle Bin? Just because it can be done, doesn't mean it's a good idea. Sorry, I don't follow your reasoning.
– Oliver Salzburg
Commented Jun 27, 2012 at 17:49
4

@Synetech: Yes, you did give a perfectly good example of how it could be done. Another perfectly good example of how it could be done is the way it is actually being done right now. Simply writing a file to %PROGRAMFILES% and being certain that it will end up in the right folder is one thing. Checking for yourself which folder is the correct one is another. If you actually don't see the benefit of the former approach, then I will not be able to convince you. The question was why there are 2 folders. I think my answer is perfectly reasonable in that regard.
– Oliver Salzburg
Commented Jun 27, 2012 at 18:03
3

@OliverSalzburg, No quite. The question is why two folders are required, not why there are. In fact, he even bolded it: why is this even necessary? You did not explain why it is necessary and the example I gave (and even your own sarcastic example) just show that it does not have to be done the way it is.
– Synetech
Commented Jun 27, 2012 at 18:05

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