I am a Linux user spending some time in Windows and I'm trying to understand some of the Windows paradigms instead of fighting them. I notice that each program installed in the traditional manner (i.e. via orgasmic installers: Yes, Yes, Yes, Finish) adds the executables to C:/Program Files/foo/bar.exe and then adds a shortcut to the Desktop / Start Menu containing the entire path. However, there is no common directory with links to the software, i.e. C:/bin/bar.exe which would link to C:/Program Files/foo/bar.exe. Therefore, after installing an application the only way to use the application is via the clicky-clicky menus or by navigating to the executable in the filesystem. One cannot simply Win-R to open the run dialogue and then type bar or bar.exe as is possible with notepad or mspaint. I realize that Windows 8 improves on this with the otherwise horrendous Start Screen which does support typing the name of the app, but again this depends on the app having registered itself for such.

Would I be doing any harm by adding C:/Program Files recursively to the Windows path? I do realize that there will be name collisions (i.e. uninstall.exe) but could there be other issues?