How do i determine program files the safe way

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Hey guys,

I need a little bit of help. I need to determine if a file exists in a folder in program files. If the file exists my program deletes it and then copys over the updated file to the folder.

I was using hardcoded paths when testing it and now i need some help in determining the path for 32 bit and 64 bit.

i found this forumla from googling around:

C#

static string ProgramFilesx86()
    {
        if( 8 == IntPtr.Size
            || (!String.IsNullOrEmpty(Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("PROCESSOR_ARCHITEW6432"))))
        {
            return Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ProgramFiles(x86)");
        }

        return Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ProgramFiles");
    }

I was hoping i can get some honest feedback on how reliable this is? This supposedly works for 32 bit 64 bit and 32bit running 64 bit.

And if it is reliable can you please explain how to use the formula?

I actually have a fair few files that will be copied over and if i have to use the above to determine the path everytime its going to take a long time. Is their a safe and quicker way?

Thanks.

Posted 18-Jul-12 16:36pm

burgo855

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Christian Graus · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-18T16:42:00

Solution 1

this[^] is what you should be using

Posted 18-Jul-12 16:42pm

Christian Graus

Comments

burgo855 18-Jul-12 22:53pm

Is their a way to use this in every line of code? im using this:

if (File.Exists(@"C:\PROGRA~1\test\file.txt"))
File.Delete(@"C:\PROGRA~1\test\file.txt");
File.Copy(@"C:\PROGRA~1\new\file.txt", @"C:\PROGRA~1\test\file.txt");

is their a way to use the formula in my first post in the formula above?

Christian Graus 18-Jul-12 22:55pm

You use the method to get the base folder and then use that string to build your paths. If you've stored C:\PROGRA~1 somewhere, do a string replace to replace it with the correct string.

burgo855 18-Jul-12 23:10pm

what string should i replace it with? Thanks.

Christian Graus 18-Jul-12 23:11pm

The string you get back from the function I linked you to, which gets you the path to the special folder.

burgo855 18-Jul-12 23:15pm

Cheers.