How to get Program Files on Windows 64 bit in vb.net

Question

Environment.SpecialFolder.ProgramFiles and Environment.SpecialFolder.ProgramFilesX86 returning x86 my pc is 64 bit

so how to get Program Files on Windows 64 in vb.net or #c

 Dim ProgramFiles As String = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ProgramFiles)
 Dim ProgramFilesX86 As String = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ProgramFilesX86)
      

Answer 1

ProgramFilesX86 will always return the Program Files (x86) folder path while ProgramFiles will return the same path if your app is running in a 32-bit process and the Program Files folder path if your app is running in a 64-bit process.

If you target the x86 platform then your app will always run in a 32-bit process, meaning that it won't run on an OS that doesn't support 32-bit processes.

If you target the x64 platform then your app will always run in a 64-bit process, meaning that it won't run on an OS that doesn't support 64-bit processes.

If you target the AnyCPU platform and check the Prefer 32-bit box then your app will run in a 32-bit process if it can, otherwise it will run in a 64-bit process.

If you target the AnyCPU platform and uncheck the Prefer 32-bit box then your app will run in a 64-bit process if it can, otherwise it will run in a 32-bit process.

Your app would have been running in a 32-bit process because you checked the Prefer 32-bit box - note that it is checked by default - so your app could only see the Program Files (x86) folder, regardless of the OS. It doesn't make sense for 32-bit apps to do anything related to 64-bit processes.