Vista 64 [Program files]

So I’ve had Vista-64 for over a year now and still don’t understand the program folders.
C:\Program Files
C:\Program Files (x86)
So afew noob questions;
1) Do I always need to download the 64bit version of a program over the 32bit?
2) What does (x86) mean and why does everything install to that route?, rather than the normal one.
Cheers
Answer #1
1)32bit programs can run on 32bit
2)x86 means 32bit.Maybe 32bit programs install to this route
i am 32bit user so don’t know this so well.
Answer #2
1). No. If there’s a 64-bit version of a program, get ONLY that.
2)What said.
Answer #3
64 Bit versions of windows have 2 different folders
of program Files.
Program Files = Where 64 bit programs get installed to
Program Files (x86) = Where 32 bit programs get installed to
The vast majority of programs are 32 bit so most of em
will go into the x86 folder and yeah if there’s a 64 bit
version of the specific app then download that,It’d
perform a little better.
Answer #4
Thanks guys
Answer #5
yep and sometimes if your really lucky you will get 3 folders