How to get 64-bit "program files" directory in 32-bit Application

Question

I have an application compiled in x86 mode (in c#) from which I need to access a certain file that exists in the 64-bit program files folder (of a 64-bit Windows of course). I don't want to just hardcode C:\Program Files as a string in my application because a few target computers may have Windows installed in a different drive, or may be in another languages.

The problem I'm encountering is that using Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ProgramFiles) returns the x86 flavor instead of the desired directory, unless I compile my program in 64-bit mode. Out of curiosity, what can I do to avoid doing such?

Answer 1

There was an option called "prefer 32-bit" in the project properties. Unchecking that option did the trick. I'm still interested in a code solution instead of this, nevertheless.

I actually think disabling Prefer 32bit on the build options is the better way to go. If you don't want your program to be treated like a 32 bit process, why not make it a 64 bit process and save yourself some trouble.

See also this article on the subject by Raymond Chen.

Having said that, the ProgramW6432 environment variable suggested by griddoor worked fine for me when I tried it.

Answer 2

I'm afraid that the WinAPI does not support what you require. Due to virtualization it is not possible for a 32bit application to get the path to 64bit directories.

Refer to: https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/vstudio/en-US/37e798f5-1b9b-42ce-89af-486ee3531c0b/32-bit-app-how-to-get-cprogram-files-directory-using-environmentgetfolderpath?forum=csharpgeneral

Any attempt to "guess" the right path or use the registry could cause an issue in the future...