Merging "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" folders in Windows 7 64-bit

I think some bigger programs might install things into both directories. Like if they had both 32 and 64 bit versions of things. Especially when it comes to common files and various libraries. And you don't want a 32 bit assembly to be overwritten by a 64 bit one or vice-versa. Would probably not work so well the next time that assembly were to be used.

No, there is no way to move an installed application. You'll need to uninstall and try to select installation destination manually when reinstalling.

But my advice is to leave it alone.

PS.
_{Well you could possibly do some advanced registry hacking but that's probably a lot more work than reinstalling an application (and a lot more dangerous)}

I'm not much of a computer wiz, so when I saw that I had two "Program Files" folders, I did try merging them together to keep things tidy.

It allowed me to merge most things, but now I can't use alot of programs as obviously the directory points to the wrong place. I'm now copying all the files back to the original spot using the "previous versions" tab in the folder properties.

Hopefully this fixes my muck up?

So yeah: Don't try merging "program files" and "program files (x86)".

Just reading all the above, and what I believe is that if you uninstall the (x86) file your product ID licence is hijacked meaning your warranty is lost, Microsoft themselves advised me not to try and get rid of this folder as I thought it was quite strange myself with a 64 bit win 7 OS with (x86) program files too.

They did say it would leave my computer very instability and @ high risk of crashing.

Pretty much your best thing to do is to leave the file, when installing new software on your PC make sure it’s just going into your correct program folder, Like really when you think about it what’s it really hurting? You get the best of both worlds with the 32 bit programs and you 64 bit which some applications need that folder to function.

Take adobe master collection for example it runs mostly with the (x86) program folder and a small amount ends up in your new OS. Honestly just leave the program; you’re not going to get back heaps of disk space anyways