Windows cannot find ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Wireshark\Wireshark.exe’

Are you using the 64-bit version or the 32-bit version of Wireshark?

Windows is using the following scheme to store applications:

32-bit systems

On 32-bit systems all applications will be stored in a subdirectory of C:\Program Files

64-bit systems

On 64-bit systems the destination folder depends on the architecture, for which is was build:

• 64-bit applications will be stored in C:\Program Files
• 32-bit applications running on a 64-bit system will be stored in C:\Program Files (x86)

Your error message ...

... might be the result of a version mixup. Wireshark is available as 32-bit and 64-bit version.

If you were using 32-bit version of Wireshark an created a desktop icon, this would launch the application. When updating to a 64-bit version without changing the icon properties you might get an error message.

... and how to get around it

The are multiple ways to launch Wireshark:

• Use the Windows explorer to navigate to the correct folder and doubleclick Wireshark.exe
• Right-click the Wireshark icon that triggers the error message, select properties and update the target to point to the correct destination
• Trust in the Wireshark installer and let the installer create a desktop icon
• Use the application link from the start button.

Good hunting