Embark on a journey of knowledge! Take the quiz and earn valuable credits.
Take A QuizChallenge yourself and boost your learning! Start the quiz now to earn credits.
Take A QuizUnlock your potential! Begin the quiz, answer questions, and accumulate credits along the way.
Take A Quiz
Program files may refer to any of the following:
1. When used as a singular noun, an application file or program file describes a file which stores the code to run a program. This type of file is commonly referred to as an executable file. When REFERRING to more than one file, program files are all of the different files that allow a software program to run on your computer. Most PROGRAMS have different types of files (e.g., DLL files, data files, etc.) used in conjunction with the executable file.
2. Program Files is a folder first found in Microsoft Windows 95 and included in all later versions of Microsoft Windows that stores the software programs installed on the computer.
By default, the Program Files folder is found on the root directory of the primary hard drive, with the C:\Program Files path. To open this folder on your computer, FOLLOW the steps below.
The Program Files folder and Program Files (x86) folders should contain the folders of the software programs that are installed on the computer.
Can I delete Program Files or Program Files (x86)?No. While it may be possible to delete these folders they are both part of Windows and default locations where Windows installs your program files. If you delete either of these folders, all installed programs contained in the folder are also deleted.
TipIf you want to delete these folders to recover hard drive SPACE, we suggest uninstalling programs and not deleting these folders. For help with uninstalling programs, see: How to uninstall software in Windows.
With early versions of MS-DOS and Windows that only supported the 8.3 file naming format, the "Program Files" directory was too LONG. For backward compatibility, the "Programs Files" directory would appear as "progra~1" (a maximum of eight characters). Today, because all operating systems support long files this directory name is rarely seen.
Program Files translationsIf you're using a version of Windows that isn't English, this directory may be translated into a different name, as shown in the examples below.
Danish = ProgrammerTurn Your Knowledge into Earnings.
Ever curious about what any word really means? Dictionary has got them all listed out for you to explore. Simply,Choose a subject/topic and get started on a self-paced learning journey in a world of word meanings and translations.
Write Your Comments or Explanations to Help Others