32bit program in Program Files win7 64, issues?

[Blanchimont]

I have Win7 64, and while excavating my old system (winxp32) and moving a few things to the new one, accidentally installed some games (translated vns) into Program Files instead of Program Files (x86) when letting the installers choose default paths.

Also, a few other vns got installed outside either program folders on c:\.

They all run fine when tested and played (so far at least, when played occasionally over the previous week). So, as a search on google doesn't want to give a definite answer, should I leave them be, or will they mess up something if not reinstalled in the correct folder? How robust is Win7 in this regard?

[Sosseres]

The only issue you could have is with where the save games and other content is located. Depending on your UAC settings that could cause some minor problems. As long as you run the games as administrator or have UAC disabled you should have no problems.

[Bob2004]

Yeah, there's no problem really. I'd be tempted to move the ones installed in Program Files to somewhere else just for organisational purposes (so you know that all 64-bit software is in that folder, and 32-bit software is elsewhere), but there should be no problems caused by leaving them there.

And Windows 7 is very good at requesting elevation when needed, even with older programs, so you shouldn't need to worry about running as administrator in most cases - and you definitely shouldn't disable UAC.

[krumm]

You can install most software anywhere you want without adverse effects.  I like to keep my programs organized so I made a separate folder for games C:/Games.  But I give all users full ntfs folder rights to prevent file permission issues when needed.  Some developers still take programing short cuts that require admin rights, but changing folder options usually fix it.

Short answer, it does not matter where you save programs but you may need to change file permissions.

[vuzedome]

Everything should be fine.
But I tend to install entertainment contents outside of the system partition.

[kitamesume]

i install games and other programs on a different hard drive entirely and pretty much have no problems except one, i'm running out of space! lol...