I have downloaded the 32 bit version of 7-zip to test. The attach picture shows a change I made and applied which was transferred to the registry. You can use the location to check yours.
If you change settings, does the change ever show up in the registry, or does it go away afterward? Do you have the UAC turned on so you can see messages?
Do you show any error or warning messages in the event viewer concerning any of these programs?
Are you running any security programs that might be blocking the change, which was asked before?
Have you tried running the programs by clicking on "Run As Administrator"?
Are all of your problem programs Linux types?
The x64 install comes as a .msi file, but the 32 bit comes as an .exe. Don't...