Install to Program Files or Program Files (x86)

[TheAceMan1]

Howdy All! . . .

I'm trying to get resolution on application installations to the subject folders. There appears to be some [blue]security involved[/blue] as far as writing to [blue]Program Files (x86)[/blue] is concerned! Just one of my examples follows.

The software is [blue]TreePadPlus[/blue]. It allows you to save setings to the registry or an Ini file. Savinging settings to an Ini file is great [blue]for using treepad as a stand alone application[/blue] ... truly portable! ... I can plug my memory stick in anywhere (wih the Ini on board) and volia!

I've noticed ... if I install to the default dir (Program Files (x86)) [blue]the Ini file never gets created.[/blue] If I install to Program Files ... [green]no problemo![/green]

I"ve uninstalled the application and installed to the different subject folders 3 times! In all this ... [purple]only installing to Program Files was the Ini file created.[/purple]

The above has left me [blue]limpid[/blue] as far as application installation to the default folder (Program Files (x86)) is concerned. [purple]I now have to give clear consideration as to where I install an application![/purple]

Any/All thoughts on this welcome ... If necessary, I can quote other examples.

[blue]Your Thoughts? . . .[/blue]

See Ya! . . . . . .

Be sure to see thread181-473997 [blue]Worthy Reading![/blue]
Also faq181-2886 [blue]Worthy Reading![/blue]

 

[rclarke250]

It appears you are using Vista x64. The program files x86 is for the 32 bit applications, and the 64 bit will default to Program Files. This doesn't sound like an OS issue so much as poor programming of the application. Is it a 32 or 64 bit application?

It sounds like the issue is the application is having a problem with the naming of the 2 program folders and the save path for the .INI file. If you let the program install normally and then check for the .ini file and see that it isn't in the folder, if you check the program files and look to see if the folder and .ini file was placed there. And the program just might not be able to find the .ini file in that place.

 

[dilettante]

I have a sneaking suspicion that UAC has been disabled here too, otherwise the program should be abruptly aborted when it tries to create/update the INI file in Program Files.

 

[linney]

Does it make any difference if when you install this program you try right-clicking on the Setup.exe, and selecting the "Run As Administrator" option?


Is something like the following coming into play?


Vista Virtual Store or “Where did my files go?”

http://www.windyweather.net/wp/2008/09/29/vista-virtual-store/

Vista - same file name, different file contents
thread1583-1435573

 

[dilettante]

I believe that under 64-bit Vista/Win7 "Program Files" is not virtualized, instead "Program Files (x86)" is. When properly installed into the latter the INI wuld go into the virtual store.

As I suggested UAC must be disabled or else the program should fail when running out of the former directory since it is a protected location.