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)
      

CodePudding user response：

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.