Program files x86 missing driver#

Unfortunately, switching from 32-bit to 64-bit applications and operating systems is not as simple as Microsoft would like. The x86 portion of the folder name refers to the x86 32-bit architecture upon which the first 32-bit processors were developed such as the 386, 486, and Pentium CPUs.

In a sense, it is a folder designed for legacy software that is left over from the days of 32-bit operating systems. The second folder labeled Program Files (x86) is the default location for all of your 32-bit applications. It does not have an extra label at the end because as a 64-bit operating system, it is assumed that the 64-bit applications will go into this folder. The first folder is the default location for all of your 64-bit programs. One is simply labeled Program Files and the other is labeled Program Files (x86). If you have the 64-bit version of Windows, you may have noticed that there are two Program Files folders on your hard drive.

Program files x86 missing driver#

This is why hardware (such as a sound card) needs a completely different driver to work in 64-bit Windows. It is a change to a completely different method of keeping track of data. Moving from a 32-bit to a 64-bit operating system is more than just a jump in addressable memory.