- Change which programs Windows 7 uses by default
- Program Files (x86) и Program Files – что это за папки на компьютере
- Программные файлы
- Program Files и Program Files (x86) что это?
- Можно ли удалить Program Files?
- Видео
- Windows File Association Explained for Desktop Administrators
- Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
- Overview
- Installation
- Using the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Troubleshooting
Change which programs Windows 7 uses by default
A default program is the program that Windows uses when you open a particular type of file, such as a music file, an image, or a webpage. For example, if you have more than one web browser installed on your computer, you can choose one of them to be the default browser.
Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button 
and then clicking Default Programs.
In Default Programs, you can:
Use this option to choose which programs you want Windows to use, by default.
If a program does not show up in the list, you can make the program a default by using Set Associations.
Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button and then clicking Default Programs.
Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
Click the file type or protocol that you want the program to act as the default for.
Click Change program.
Click the program that you want to use as the default for the file type you selected, or click the arrow next to Other Programs to show additional programs. (If you don’t see Other Programs, or your program is not listed, click Browse to find the program you want to use, and then click Open. If no other programs are installed that are able to open the file type or protocol, your choices will be limited.)
If you don’t see the program you want to use as the default, click the arrow next to Other Programs to see a list of programs available on your computer.
Note: You cannot change an association for a file type or protocol and leave it blank or disassociated. You must select a new program.
The options you set here only apply to your user account. Your choices won’t affect other user accounts on this computer.
Use this option to fine-tune default programs based on the file type or protocol. For example, you can have all .jpg image files open using a specific program, and .bmp image files open using a different program.
You can also change which programs to use to start different kinds of media, such as music CDs or DVDs that contain photos.
Set Program Access and Computer Defaults (available in Windows 7) is a tool to set default programs for activities such as browsing the web and sending e‑mail for everyone who uses the computer.
Program Files (x86) и Program Files – что это за папки на компьютере
Если Вы являетесь пользователем операционной системы от компании Microsoft, то в корне системного диска могли заметить следующий элемент — Program Files x86 что это за папка на компьютере Windows? Предлагаю разобраться в теме и получить максимум ответов!
Программные файлы
Именно так дословно переводиться название каталога. Он является стандартным в ОС, начиная с первых версий Виндовс. Изначально в нём содержится лишь несколько вложенных директорий, связанных с предустановленным функционалом «операционки» — антивирусом, почтовым клиентом, медиа проигрывателем, консолью PowerShell и т.д.:
Но со временем количество содержимого увеличивается. Это связано с установкой различных пользовательских приложений, игр. Скорее всего, Вы обращали внимание, что в процессе инсталляции софта нужно указать — куда копировать контент. Выглядит это примерно следующим образом:
В итоге, папка Program Files увеличивается в размере, в ней появляются дополнительные элементы, некоторые из которых занимают десятки гигабайт (если Вы устанавливаете современные игры). То есть, во вложенных папках хранятся практически все данные программ.
Переходим к следующему вопросу.
Program Files и Program Files (x86) что это?
У некоторых пользователей есть только одна из указанных папок, а другие находят у себя вторую, с окончанием «x86». Где логика? От чего зависит ситуация?
Не нужно пугаться, искать проблему там, где её нет. Многие сразу же думают, что в Виндовс проник вирус, который создал дубликат с похожим названием и содержимым, чтобы незаметно «поедать» личную информацию и нагружать процессор.
На самом деле, всё зависит от разрядности Windows (переходите по ссылке и читайте детальный обзор, чтобы мне не пришлось повторяться).
- Если у Вас система 32-х битная, то в корне диска С обнаружите только один каталог «Program Files». И все новые программы по умолчанию будут копироваться туда;
- В 64-х битной ОС создается две директории — та, которая заканчивается на «x86» предназначена для расположения софта, разработанного исключительно для систем x64.
В качестве эксперимента, можете перейти на страницу скачивания архиватора 7-Zip , там есть две ссылки Download» для получения установочного файла версии 32-bit или 64-bit. В зависимости от того, какой выберете и запустите, копирование будет осуществляться в разные каталоги на компьютере. Но это только при условии, что у Вас Windows 64 бит и есть обе папки «Програм_Файлс».
Можно ли удалить Program Files?
Если внимательно читали всё вышеизложенное, то вывод напрашивается сам по себе — ничего трогать не нужно. Иначе установленные утилиты перестанут корректно работать.
Даже если не хватает места на системном накопителе, то следует прибегнуть к более эффективным способам освобождения пространства:
Удалить Program Files (x86) целиком нельзя, а вот вложенные объекты — можно. Но поступать так стоит лишь в том случае, если Вы избавились от ненужного приложения, а папка от него осталась. Такое часто случается, я сам периодически захожу в «Програм-файлс», просматриваю содержимое, подчищаю следы уже неактуальных утилит.
Видео
Надеюсь, что эта инструкция немножко прояснила ситуацию и помогла понять — Program Files x86 что это за папка на компьютере Windows.
Windows File Association Explained for Desktop Administrators
Disclaimer: This article is rather technical and not for the novice user. If you’re looking for simple steps to manually change your file association, check out: https://www.howtogeek.com/223144/how-to-set-your-default-apps-in-windows-10/
Windows file association remains one of the most common and frustrating challenges for any Desktop Administrator. To tackle this challenge, we’re going to take a ground up approach to demystify some of the underlying file association mechanics in a way that will allow you, the administrator, to regain control over your file associations again.
File Association in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (The Windows XP Way)
Within HKCR we have the file extension and the handler registry keys (2):
File Extension key for HKCR\.TIF file extension
Handler key for HKCR\.TIF file extension
The file extension key points to the handler key. In this case, the .TIF extension key points to the TIFImage.Document key as specified in the data for the Default value under the .TIF key pictured in the first image above. The TIFImage.Document key specifies the command to run to open the file. In the second image above you can see TIFImage.Document is specifying the command for Windows Photo Viewer.
There is also a second location for handler keys to be aware of located under HKCR\Applications. The HKCR\Applications key is a location where developers can register their application by creating an entry that can later be referenced as a handler for a file extension (see https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ee872121(v=vs.85).aspx for more information on that). Generally, under the Applications key a subkey structure is created for a given application specifying the application’s executable path, such as this:
Handler key located under HKCR\Applications
This relationship serves as the foundation of file association dating back to Windows XP and earlier. All files have an extension key and a corresponding handler key and this is the mechanism that established basic file association. The shortcoming of this mechanism is that it sets the association for all users.
File Association in HKEY_CURRENT_USER (The Windows 7 Way)
With Windows Vista\Windows 7 we saw the introduction of the HKCU hive playing a role in file association for the first time, allowing users to select their own individual file associations. Within the HKCU hive at HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts there exists a new set of keys:
Default File Extension key for .TIF file extension under HKCU
Notice how there’s not much to this initially, simply a key specifying the file extension, a subkey called OpenWithProgids, and a value under that key specifying a handler for the file extension in question. This specification of a handler is creating a connection for that specific user between that file extension and the handler key mentioned earlier under HKCR. It should be noted that this reference in HKCU supersedes the handler specified under HKCR for a file extension for the logged-on user.
Now look what happens when an application is specified by the user (via Control Panel or Default Programs):
File Extension key under HKCU after user has specified an application to open a particular file extension
Notice that 2 additional keys are created. The most important of these 3 keys are the OpenWithProgids and UserChoice keys as they specify the file association for the currently logged on user and can be set on a per user basis to achieve user-defined file associations. When these keys are created, the UserChoice key will be created with a value called Progid and that value will contain the handler reference for the application the user specified. That handler reference creates a connection to the handler key mentioned above under HKCR and supersedes the handler reference specified under the OpenWithProgids key mentioned above. It should be noted that a Progid value of Applications\ExecutableName is referring to a handler located under HKCR\Applications.
The addition of the HKCU file association keys compliment the underlying HKCR file association and work with those keys to achieve user-specific file association on Windows 7/8/8.1/10. Many of you are saying, “these mechanisms worked great for us on Windows 7 – what’s the issue with Windows 10?”
File Association in a File (The Windows 10 Way)
Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft introduced “tamper protection” into the aforementioned HKCU registry keys to prevent unauthorized changes to file association (changes not made via the Windows API). Unfortunately, this changed how we as Desktop Environment admins approach file association. Direct registry edits to the HKCU hive are no longer viable as they simply result in an app reset notification and the HKCU keys reverting to their original state:
The new method for setting file associations across the environment is a 2 part process. First a default file association XML file must be created. To create the XML file, on a reference Windows 10 machine (built with the most recent build of Windows 10 in your environment), load the apps you need for the desired associations, create the desired file associations manually, and then export that file via a DISM command:
Dism /Online /Export-DefaultAppAssociations:\\Server\Share\AppAssoc.xml
That will yield an XML file with content that looks like this:
What this file actually does is set the HKCU\. \UserChoice key (mentioned earlier in the article) for a specified file extension to the file handler specified in the XML file:
Second, the exported file is specified in group policy, and all client machines that receive that policy will reference the file for their default file associations (for the group policy settings please see https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsinternals/2017/10/25/windows-10-how-to-configure-file-associations-for-it-pros/ ) . It should be noted that the associations set in this file are enforced and file association changes made manually by the user will revert to the associations specified in the file. Therefore, this file supersedes any choice the user may have manually set because it is being applied via group policy during each user login. For detailed information on creating this file please see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/export-or-import-default-application-associations
In Closing…
Based on everything we’ve covered, a quick overview of the file association precedence hierarchy looks like this:
In Windows 10, the XML file is necessary for enterprise administration as it’s a mechanism we can expect Microsoft to build upon. Therefore understanding the relationship between the various part of the registry and the XML file, we can understand how file association can break, and where we can manipulate the keys (*cough* in HKCR *cough*) to get the desired results. I hope this helps someone and thanks for reading!
Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
Overview
When you download Windows from Microsoft Store, you have two options: You can download a collection of compressed files, or you can download an ISO file. An ISO file combines all the Windows installation files into a single uncompressed file.
If you choose to download an ISO file so you can create a bootable file from a DVD or USB drive, copy the Windows ISO file onto your drive and then run the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. Then simply install Windows onto your computer directly from your USB or DVD drive.
When you download the ISO file, you must copy it onto a USB or DVD. When you’re ready to install Windows, insert the USB drive or DVD with the ISO file on it and then run Setup.exe from the root folder on the drive.
This allows you to install Windows onto your machine without having to first run an existing operating system. If you change the boot order of drives in your computer’s BIOS, you can run the Windows installation directly from your USB drive or DVD when you first turn on your computer. Please see the documentation for your computer for information about how to change the BIOS boot order of drives.
Making copies
To install the software, you can make one copy of the ISO file on a disc, USB flash drive, or other media.
After you’ve installed the software and accepted the license terms that accompany the software, those license terms apply to your use of the software. The license terms for Windows permit you to make one copy of the software as a back-up copy for re-installation on the licensed computer. If you do not delete your copy of the ISO file after installing the Windows software, the copy of the ISO file counts as your one back-up copy.
If you need to download the software again, you can go to your Download Purchase History in your Microsoft Store account and access the download there.
Installation
To install the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool:
2. Click Download then Run.
3. Follow the steps in the setup dialogs. You’ll have the option to specify where to install the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.
You must be an administrator on the computer on which you are installing the Windows USB/DVD Download tool. It requires the Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 or higher.
System requirements
Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300MHz is recommended)
50MB of free space on your hard drive
DVD-R drive or 4GB removable USB drive
For Windows XP users
The following applications must be installed prior to installing the tool:
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 must be installed. It can be downloaded here.
Microsoft Image Mastering API v2 must be installed. It can be downloaded here.
Using the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
Before you run the Download Tool, make sure you have purchased the Windows ISO download from Microsoft Store and downloaded the Windows ISO file to your drive. If you have purchased Windows but have not yet downloaded the ISO file, you can download the ISO file from your Microsoft Store Account.
To make a copy of your Windows ISO file:
1. Click the Windows START button, and click WINDOWS USB/DVD DOWNLOAD TOOL in the ALL PROGRAMS list to open the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.
2. In the SOURCE FILE box, type the name and path of your Windows ISO file, or click BROWSE and select the file from the OPEN dialog box. Click NEXT.
3. Select USB DEVICE to create a copy on a USB flash drive or select DVD disk to create a copy on a DVD disk.
4. If you are copying the file to a USB flash drive, select your USB device in the drop-down list and click BEGIN COPYING. If you are copying the file up to a DVD, click BEGIN BURNING.
When your Windows ISO file is copied to your drive, install Windows by moving to the root folder of your DVD or USB drive, and then double-click Setup.exe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download .NET framework 2.0?
The .NET framework can be downloaded here.
Where can I download Image Mastering API 2.0?
The Image Mastering API can be downloaded here.
What size USB drive is required?
You need a USB drive with a minimum of 4GB of free space.
Can I use my newly created USB drive to install Windows on someone else’s computer?
No. The Windows ISO file on the USB drive is only intended to be used to install Windows on the licensed user’s own computer.
Can I back up to a CD-ROM?
No. The Windows ISO file is too large to fit on a CD.
Can I back up to a Blu-ray Disc?
Yes, as long as your DVD drive can write to a Blu-ray Disc.
IfI have other files on the USB drive will the Windows USB/DVD download tool delete them?
This tool requires the USB drive to be completely blank before the Windows files are copied. This helps ensure that the device is bootable after the copying has completed.
Can I backup to an external hard drive or other device with enough free disk space?
Yes, but this is not recommended. The device must be formatted in order for the device to be bootable. A dedicated USB flash drive would be a better option.
Can I use the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool to back up other files?
No. This tool is only for use with the Windows ISO file purchased from Microsoft Store.
Does the tool support dual-layer DVD discs for burning?
No. Currently, the tool does not support dual-layer DVD discs.
Troubleshooting
The tool is asking me to install the .NET framework and Image Mastering API before I install the tool
If you’re running Windows XP, you must install the .NET Framework 2.0 and the Image Mastering API 2.0 before installing the tool. You can download .NET framework here and you can download the Image Mastering API here.
A restart may be required after installing the .NET framework and the Image Mastering API.
When creating a bootable USB device, I am getting an error about bootsect
To make the USB drive bootable, you need to run a tool named bootsect.exe. In some cases, this tool needs to be downloaded from your Microsoft Store account. This may happen if you’re trying to create a 64-bit bootable USB device from a 32-bit version of Windows. To download bootsect:
1. Login to your Microsoft Store account to view your purchase history.
2. Look for your Windows purchase.
3. Next to Windows, there is an Additional download options drop-down menu.
4. In the drop-down menu, select 32-bit ISO.
5. Right-click the link, and then save the bootsect.exe file to the location where you installed the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool (e.g. C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Apps\Windows USB DVD Download Tool).
6. Once the file has been saved, go back to the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool to create your bootable USB device.
My USB drive is not in the list of available devices
If you don’t see your USB drive in the list of available devices, please make sure the drive is inserted in the USB port, and then click the Refresh button beside the list of available drives.
I inserted a blank DVD in my DVD-ROM drive, but the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool doesn’t recognize it
If there are multiple drives on the system, the tool will select the first one that is capable of burning DVDs. If you have multiple DVD-R drives, try inserting the blank DVD into another DVD-R drive. If that doesn’t help, please make sure that your disc isn’t damaged and that your DVD-R drive is operational. Contact Product Support if issues continue to arise.
I inserted a blank DVD in my DVD-ROM drive, but the tool won’t let me burn it
Make sure the disc isn’t a dual-layer DVD disc. Currently, dual-layer discs are not supported within the tool.
