What is the difference between "Program files" and "program files(x86)" ? I noticed, I had a few addon aircraft that installed themselves to the "program files" directory when my FSX is installed under "programfiles (X86)". I did not pay attention when I installed them, so they never showed up in FSX. I just happend to be browsing my hard drive and saw another microsoft games/ microsoft flight simulator X/Simobject directory. It containd a few freeware planes I forgot about. Are there different default install directories depending on OS or regions?Rob

I believe 64 bit apps are located in Program Files while 32 bit ones are put in Program Files (x86). I expect your question indicates that you have a 64 bit OS since the 32 bit versions only have the one Program Files folder.I'm inclined to suggest that Program Files is not a suitable location for any of the apps you intend to tinker with (such as FSX) if you have either version of Vista because UAC will make life difficult for you. Any other location will be much easier to deal with.

I install fs at the root of the disk, usually someghing like C:\Flight Simulator X. Same thing with the utilities I add, like C:\FSUtils\SBuilderX, stuff like that. Not sure how much it helps anymore performance wise, it used to be for photoscenery like Megascenery and stuff, the shorter path made a difference.For Vista and Win7, I believe this does perform a useful function in that it circumvents some security stuff, plus it allows me to share the install over my network so I can work on it from other machines.