[Josllyne]

I posted a couple weeks ago regarding spilling coffee on my laptop. Tried everything suggested but nothing worked so I bought a new ACER computer. Acer 17.3" LCD Dual Core, 3GB RAM, 320GB HDD Laptop with Windows 7 Home Premium. I'm enjoying lots of the features with Windows 7 but its taking some time to get used to. My question for the community: I have been installing my programs - fast/easy BUT when I was reviewing the installs; I found that I now have two Program Files folders on the machine. One has everything that came with the machine and is the default name Program Files; the other has all those programs plus the newest ones and is called Program Files (x86). I've never seen this happen before on any other version of Windows I've used... is this something specific to Windows 7 .. is it supposed to be this way? What am I missing? I feel really stupid asking the question but .. stupidity is NOT asking the question I guess .. so ... help help Thanks everyone

[oremor_a1]

There are two Program Files folder, because one is for the 64-bit applications while the other one is for the 32-bit (x86) applications.

[TheOutcaste]

This new laptop has a 64 bit OS, so two Program Files folders as oremor_a1 has explained. Win 7 32 bit would still only have the one you are are used to.

[Josllyne]

Thanks oremore_a1 and TheOutcaste for your help. I'm totally clueless about Windows 7 still - guess I'm gonna have to 'read the instructions' eh?