What is the difference between SysWOW64 and System32?
System32 is the 64-bit Windows system directory and SysWOW64 is the 32-bit Windows system directory — entirely the opposite way around to what the directory names would suggest. In Windows, there is a “Windows” directory and a “System” directory, and this has been true all of the way back to when Windows was 16-bit.
What is SysWOW64 used for?
SysWOW64 is a folder created by Microsoft for storing 32-bit . dll files. WOW64 is the x86 emulator that allows 32-bit Windows-based applications to run on 64-bit Windows. This means SysWOW64 equates to “Windows 32-bit on Windows 64-bit”.
What is system and System32?
The system32 directory contains Windows system files and software program files, vital to the operation of the Windows operating system and software programs running in Windows. The most common types of files found in the system32 directory are DLL (Dynamic Link Library) and EXE (executable) files.
Is SysWOW64 folder a virus?
No, SysWOW64 folder is not a virus.
What happens if I delete SysWOW64?
However, it is not recommended to remove the SysWOW64 folder because it enables you to run 32-bit applications on 64-bit Windows version. So, the SysWOW64 is a part of Windows system and not a virus. All in all, the SysWOW64 folder is an essential part of the operating system and it can’t be removed.
What happens if u delete System32?
The only way to really delete System32 completely is to boot into another operating system (most easily by booting from a DVD or other external source). After you do so, your machine will no longer boot from its hard drive, since you’ve deleted 90% of the operating system.
Why is System32 called that?
When Windows became a 32-bit operating system, there were still a large number of 16-bit applications that needed the old system files. So, They kept the 16-bit versions of operating system files in c:\windows\system, and put the 32-bit files in c:\windows\system32.
How do I clean up SysWOW64?
Open Disk Cleanup by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Disk Cleanup, and then, in the list of results, select Disk Cleanup. If prompted, select the drive that you want to clean up, and then select OK. In the Disk Cleanup dialog box in the Description section, select Clean up system files.
Why is it called SysWOW64?
The way they solved this, so that 32bit applications could still run, was to create a 32bit windows subsystem called Windows32 On Windows64. As such, the acronym SysWOW64 was created for the System directory of the 32bit subsystem. The Sys is short for System, and WOW64 is short for Windows32OnWindows64.
What does Syswow stand for?
Instead of naming it as System64, Microsoft named this folder as SysWOW64. WOW stands for Windows (32-bit) on Windows (64-bit). 32-bit applications were able to run on 64-bit applications, and that’s how it got its name. Microsoft did not see it coming for sure else System32 folder would not have never got its name.
Does deleting System32 make your computer faster?
Now you have already guessed that deleting System32 is a pretty bad idea. This nonsense prank ‘removing System32 directory will make PC faster’ was popular since the early 2000s. So, if anyone tells you to do something like that then please ignore them otherwise you will be the victim of this dangerous prank.
What can I delete from SysWOW64 folder?
All in all, the SysWOW64 folder is an essential part of the operating system and it can’t be removed. Otherwise, some programs cannot run properly on your computer.
What is the difference between System32 and SysWOW64?
System32 is the 64-bit Windows system directory and SysWOW64 is the 32-bit Windows system directory — entirely the opposite way around to what the directory names would suggest. In Windows, there is a “Windows” directory and a “System” directory, and this has been true all of the way back to when Windows was 16-bit.
What is System 32 DLLs?
System32 is the Windows 32 bit version of the System DLLs. System is the 16 bit version. The same company that gave us Windows 8 gave us SysWow64 for 32 bit DLLs and System32 for the 64bit DLLs when running on a 64bit OS.
What is the SysWOW64 directory?
A second directory, SysWOW64, contains the 32-bit DLLs. The file system redirector does the magic of hiding the real System32 directory for 32-bit processes and showing SysWOW64 under the name of System32.” Please refer to the link below about File System and Registry Redirection, Registry Reflection.
What is SYSTEM32 folder in Windows 10?
The System32 directory contains Windows system files, both .DLL library files used by programs and .EXE program utilities which are a part of Windows. While most of the files you find in here are part of the Windows operating system, third-party software programs sometimes install their own DLL files to this folder as well.