![]() Normally reading was wide open, so if that's all the program did, it'd be fine. By default users were not admins, and if the program ran by a user tried to write to or delete things from the Program Files folder, (or inside a folder in there), they'd get denied and may not work right. XP, (maybe 2000) changed this and had a default administrator account and locked those folders so that basic users couldn't delete things or write to them, (that broke a LOT of programs). Oooops, the computer won't boot for some reason. There were a large number of users that saw the Program Files folder, (as well as the Windows folder) taking up a ton of space, and would delete them since they didn't think they were needed. So basically anyone could write to the Program Files folder. ![]() When it was first introduced, 95 kinda made all users administrators by default since there was normally only one account, at least for consumer systems. Yes, other security layers can heavily influence a program's actions. Maybe UAC/delegation/other security layers are involved? Or its just a place to hold 3rd party application and that's all. It all depends on the next part of your question. It is possible to apply the same security policies to any other folder if desired.ĭoes an executable running from the Windows “Program Files” folder behave differently when executing a program from C:\SomeFolderįrom a user's perspective, maybe. However, those presets are just a default. This stops security vulnerabilities that change the program permanently and enforces the practice that programs write any persistent data they need to %appdata%. Further, programs are no longer able to write to their own directory (which was common practice during the 32bit era). This prevents malicious programs from modifying other programs and it prevents users without admin rights from installing non-trusted programs. That means that you need admin rights (or need to run a trusted installer) to place a program in "Program Files", but once its placed there, anyone can run those programs. "Trusted Installers" and administrators have full control.Applications can read and execute other programs, but not make changes to them (or even to themselves). ![]() ![]() Regular users can execute programs, but not make changes.These are the permissions of Program Files: These are the permissions for a regular folder created in C: This makes it possible to have 32-bit and 64-bit versions of a program.īy default, Windows (10) sets certain permissions to the Program Files folder. If a 32-bit executable looks to \Program Files (which is historically the location of all program files before 64-bit editions of Windows were available) then WOW64 will redirct the 32-bit executable to look under \Program Files (x86) for other 32-bit binaries it needs. \Program Files on a 64-bit install holds 64-bit copies of the binaries whereas \Program Files (x86) holds 32-bit copies. Think of it as painting lines in aĪn exception to this, however, is a 32-bit executable running in a 64-bit installation. Program Files was introduced in anĪttempt to bring order to chaos. Some installed into the Windowsĭirectory. Some installed into the root of your C: drive. Where applications should install by default. The excerpt of interest from that link is Note that I have never seen any definitive reference to support this other than things like this post, which I don't hold to be absolutely conclusive (even from Raymond Chen). There is generally no technical difference between it and any other folder from an execution standpoint. Storing installed programs under a common folder adds the benefit of organization so they can be quickly identified visually and with which security and other policies can be quickly and easily applied. ![]() Technically, programs can be installed or reside anywhere. ![]()
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