Why is Java installed in (x86) folder?

Question

I installed new Java from https://www.java.com/en/ but I am little confused about where installer store the java folder. It is stored in Program Files (x86). I don't understand what it means. I would like to to use 64-bit architecture. Why is it installed in (x86) program folder? Is that mean I am using 32-bit java?

Answer 1

Yes, it appears that you have installed the 32 bit version of Java. You can verify this by opening a Command Prompt, changing to the bin directory of the Java install, and typing:

java -version

If you are running 64 bit Java 8 you would see something like this:

java version "1.8.0_40"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_40-b26)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.40-b25, mixed mode)

You want to download the Windows version which is labelled Windows x64.

Here is a link where you can download it.