SHGetFolderPath() 32 bit vs 64 bit

Question

What happens if I use SHGetFolderPath api call in a 32 bit system with CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILESx86 folder id instead of the CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES id?

Theoretically CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILESx86 should map to C:\program files (x86) in a 64 bit system but what does it map to in a 32 bit system where this path doesn't exist?

Answer 1

The different scenarios are described in this article on MSDN.

Scroll down to remarks, "FOLDERID_ProgramFiles"

OS    Application KNOWNFOLDERID            Default Path                   CSIDL Equivalent  
32 bit    32 bit  FOLDERID_ProgramFiles    %SystemDrive%\Program Files    CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES  
32 bit    32 bit  FOLDERID_ProgramFilesX86 %SystemDrive%\Program Files    CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILESX86  
32 bit    32 bit  FOLDERID_ProgramFilesX64 (undefined)    Not applicable  Not applicable

Summary: It will point to %SystemDrive%\Program Files

Answer 2

Try this:

GetEnvironmentVariable("ProgramW6432", szBuffer, nBufferSize);

YMMV