Install to the 64-bit Program Files Folder

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Summary

This article discusses how to install to the 64-bit Program Files folder on a 64-bit Windows operating system.

Synopsis

This article discusses how to install to the 64-bit Program Files folder on a 64-bit Windows operating system.

Discussion

A 64-bit MSI installation needs to be created to install files to 64-bit locations and modify registry information in the 64-bit registry. The directory C:\Program Files on a 64-bit machine is a 64-bit location while C:\Program Files (x86) is a 32-bit location on a 64-bit machine.

A 32-bit installation can run on 64-bit machines but cannot install to 64-bit locations or write to the 64-bit registry portion. The installation information gets automatically redirected to 32-bit file locations (C:\Program Files (x86), C:\Windows\SysWow64) or the 32-bit Registry node under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node

Here are some sample steps to create a 64-bit installation that installs to the 64-bit Program Files Folder:

Create a new basic MSI project
Configure the Template Summary property with the appropriate 64-bit value (x64 or Intel64)
Select the Installation Designer tab -> Expand Installation Information -> select General Information -> Summary Information Stream -> Template Summary -> x64;1033

Create a new feature.
- Select the Installation Designer tab -> Expand Organization -> select Setup Design -> Right Click on Setup Design in the middle pane -> Select New Feature
  - Create a new 64-Bit component under that feature.
  - Select the Installation Designer tab -> Expand Organization -> select Setup Design -> Right Click on a feature in the middle pane -> Select New Component -> Change the 64-Bit Component attribute to Yes
    
    Change the Destination of the Component to ProgramFiles64Folder.
    
    If ProgramFiles64Folder is not listed in the dropdown list, select the Application Data -> Files and Folders -> Under Destination Computer?s folders view (bottom left pane) -> Right Click on Destination Computer -> Select Show Predefined Folder -> select the [ProgramFiles64Folder]
    
    Add file/files to the component created earlier.
    
    Select the Installation Designer tab -> Organization -> Components -> Select Component in the middle pane -> Expand the component -> Select Files -> Right Click in the Right pane -> Select Add -> Browse to file
    
    Build and Test

Additional Information

Release flags can be used to build two separate installations (one 32 bit and one 64 bit) from a single project. For additional information on building separate installations from a single project please see the following HelpNet article: Targeting 64-Bit Operating Systems

Install to the 64-bit Program Files Folder