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- What Is SysWOW64 Folder and Should I Delete It?
By Tina |
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What is the SysWOW64? Whether can it be deleted? Where does the SysWOW64 folder locate? We analyzed several posts and what we have learned is listed in this post. This post from MiniTool will show what the SysWOW64 is.
What Is the SysWOW64 Folder?
If you use the 64-bit version of Windows, you may have noticed that there is a folder called SysWOW64 on your hard drive. Then do you know what the SysWOW64 folder is?
Related article: What Version of Windows Do I Have? Check Version and Build Number
In general, the SysWOW64 folder is a subsystem of the Windows operating system capable of running 32-bit applications on 64-bit Windows. So, in the beginning, we will begin to explain the differences between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows systems.
The terms of 32-bit and 64-bit usually refer to the way computer processor handles information. In general, the 64-bit version of Windows handles more random access memory than a 32-bit system. The 32-bit version system is limited to 4GB, but only around 3GB RAM can be used. However, the 64-bit version system can hold more RAM, and allows you to use more RAM effectively. Another big feature of a 32-bit and 64-bit system is software compatibility. Both 32-bit and 64-bit software can be run on a 64-bit version system, while 32-bit programs can only be on 32-bit Windows systems.
Referring to the 32-bit and 64-bit version, there will be two associated folders, which are System32 and SysWOW64. System32 is a very important part of every Windows version since Windows 2000 and it is located at C:\Windows\System32 that stores all critical and vital files to keep Windows running properly. The System32 folder is for 64-bit files.
The SysWOW64 folder is located on C:\Windows\SysWOW64. It is a legitimate folder filled with system files used to make the use of 32-bit programs on Windows 64-bit version possible. This process goes along with System32 Microsoft Windows directory which is responsible for managing 64-bit files.
Besides, WoW64 stands for Windows 32-bit on Windows 64-bit – a subsystem of the Windows operating system capable of running 32-bit applications that are included in all 64-bit versions of Windows. SysWOW64 aims to take care of many of the differences between 32-bit Windows and 64-bit Windows systems, particularly involving structural changes to Windows itself.
Should I Delete SysWOW64 Folder?
After knowing some basic information of SysWOW64 folder, some people want to know whether they can delete it. Worse, some people have regarded the SysWOW64 as a virus since it takes up a lot of system memory.
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.
On the other hand, if you have serious doubts about the SysWOW64 folder, you can double check your computer with reliable anti-virus software or Windows built-in antivirus software, such as Windows Defender.
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.
Final Words
To sum up, this post has introduced what the SysWOW64 is and whether it can be removed from your computer. If you have any different idea of SysWOW64, you can share it in the comment zone.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Tina is a technology enthusiast and joined MiniTool in 2018. As an editor of MiniTool, she is keeping on sharing computer tips and providing reliable solutions, especially specializing in Windows and files backup and restore. Besides, she is expanding her knowledge and skills in data recovery, disk space optimizations, etc. On her spare time, Tina likes to watch movies, go shopping or chat with friends and enjoy her life.
To keep up with the evolution of technology, the architecture of the processors shifted from 32 bit to 64 bit, as did the operating systems.Due to the rapid technological advancements, the logic in the registry and file system changed as well.
If we open the Registry Editor, we can see that on a 64-bit operating system, the 32 bit registries are included under the WOW6432 location.
In this article, we will cover:
- What File System changes were introduced by 64-bit Windows?
- What is the SysWOW64 Folder?
- What happens if you delete the SysWOW64 folder?
- SysWOW64 vs System32
- Installing files in SysWOW64
What File System changes were introduced by 64-bit Windows?
Let’s have a look at the system structure of a freshly installed 64-bit Windows Operating system.
As you can see in the image above, there are two Program Files folders.
Why?
That’s because not all applications are built on a 64-bit architecture. Some are still built to operate and use only 32-bit resources.
In a 64-bit OS, those 32-bit applications will be installed in C:\Program Files(x86), while only 64-bit apps will be installed in C:\Program Files.
In a 32-bit OS, you can only install 32-bit apps, therefore, the install location is by default C:\Program Files.
This means that C:\Program Files is the install location of the apps with an architecture that matches the OS architecture, while C:\Program Files(x86) is the additional install location of the 32-bit apps on a 64-bit operating system.
Let’s move on and see how a 64-bit Windows folder is impacted by this change.
In a 64-bit Windows folder, you have both System32 and SysWOW64. Similar to Program files, we also have two System folders that include 32 and 64 bit resources.
However, in this case:
- the System32 is the folder with the 64-bit resources, and
- the SysWOW64, is the folder with the 32bit resources – despite having the 64 in the name.
What is the SysWOW64 Folder?
SysWOW64 is a folder that is present exclusively on 64-bit operating systems. It’s located under C:\Windows, and it contains the 32-bit file components and resources that the operating system needs.
This is what the SysWOW64 folder structure looks like:
Inside the SysWOW64 folder, you will find the 32-bit resources that the operating system needs to work properly. There, you may also find 32-bit shared components required for 32-bit applications.
What happens if you delete the SysWOW64 folder?
If you’re asking whether this is a valid folder, the answer is definitely yes.
Should you delete it? NO!
Why?
By deleting the SysWOW64 folder, you are removing vital Windows components and resources. It’s like removing the breaks in a car.
So, if you delete the SysWOW64, it will most likely crash and will not be operable.
SysWOW64 vs System32
When we compare the SysWOW64 and System32 folders, they almost have the same structure. That’s because SysWOW64 is similar to a 32-bit System32 on a 64-bit operating system.
System32 has the components with the bitness of the operating system where it is present and SysWOW64, despite its name, contains the 32-bit components on a 64-bit operating system.
Here’s a quick example.
Access System32 and locate the notepad.exe. (You can also find notepad.exe inside SysWOW64)
When you open the applications, they appear identical. However, if you look closely at the processes, you can see that one uses a 64-bit architecture and the other a 32-bit architecture.
Installing files in SysWOW64
You can easily add files to SysWOW64 location using Advanced Installer by dragging and dropping the file into the specific location.
Here’s how to achieve this:
1. From the left pane, navigate to the Files and Folders page.
2. From there, add your files.
- System is the 32-bit folder location aka the SysWOW64
- System 64 is the 64-bit folder location
To learn more about install paths using Advanced Installer, check out our Paths of the folders in the «Files and Folders» Page.
If you are new to Advanced Installer, make sure to check out the 30-day full feature trial.
Conclusion
We hope this article provided you with a better understanding of the SysWOW64 folder, its structure, and how it works.
Please let us know if you have any further questions or topics you’d like us to cover.
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Popular Articles
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Что это за папка ?
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Зачем нужна
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Можно ли удалить?
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Как восстановить
Наверняка вы замечали папку Syswow64 в директории System на своем компьютере, если читаете данную статью. Многих пользователей интересует что это за папка Windows 7 и можно ее ли ее удалять. Давайте рассмотрим детальнее, зачем она нужна.
Что это за папка ?
Эта системная папка есть только на 64-разрядных версиях Windows 7, 8, 10. Но в отличии от других системных файлов, она не скрыта. Так что это не вирус и можно не беспокоиться о безопасности.
Совет! Проводите проверку системы на наличие зловреда регулярно. А определиться с выбором подходящего антивируса поможет статья «Лучший антивирус для Windows 10».
Зачем нужна
Главное предназначение – хранить файлы, которые необходимы для запуска 32-битных приложений. Такие программы используют специальные библиотеки, находящиеся внутри данной папки. При отсутствии этих файлов будут появляться системные ошибки.
Можно ли удалить?
Содержимое папки нельзя трогать вообще, хотя занимает она достаточно много места. Удаление даже одного файла может привести к нарушению работы системы. Как минимум перестанут запускаться 32-разрядные приложения. А в худшем случае придется полностью переустанавливать ОС.
Если вам не хватает памяти, то выполните очистку остаточных и бесполезных файлов. В статье «Очищаем компьютер без переустановки Windows» подробно рассказано как это сделать.
Как восстановить
Обратите внимание! Действия показаны на примере Windows 7.
Если вы удалили папку Syswow64 и перестали запускаться некоторые приложения, то можно попытаться восстановить файлы.
- Через меню “Пуск” в строке поиска напишите “Восстановление системы”.
- “Восстановление системы”.
- Нажмите “Далее” в открывшемся окне.
- Выберите точку восстановления (сделанную до удаления папки) и нажмите “Далее”.
- Кликнув в новом окне “Готово” дождитесь завершения процесса.
Компьютер перезагрузится после всех процессов. Это означает, что система готова к работе.
Если данные действия не помогли (либо нет точки восстановления), то выполните полную перестановку Windows. В статье «Как установить Windows 10 в UEFI BIOS на диски со структурой MBR или GPT» подробно рассказано как это сделать.
What Is SysWoW64 in Windows 10, and Is It Safe?
If you have the 64-bit version of Windows installed on your computer, you may have discovered that there is a folder called SysWoW64 on the hard drive. If you previously used the 32-bit version of Windows, the file will be a new addition since it does not exist on the 32-bit version of the operating system. In this article, we provide details about this folder and why it exists on the system.
There are two folders associated with this topic: System32 and SysWow64. The System32 folder is for 64-bit files, while SysWOW64 is for 32-bit. Both folders contain Windows system files, including DLL files used by programs and EXE files that are a part of Windows. However, third-party software programs sometimes install their own DLL files in these folders.
WoW64 stands for Windows 32-bit on Windows 64-bit — a subsystem of the Windows operating system capable of running 32-bit applications on all 64-bit versions of Windows. WoW64 aims to handle the many differences between 32-bit Windows and 64-bit Windows systems, particularly involving structural changes to Windows itself.
Now you know what the SysWow64 folder is and why it is on your computer. Many people think it’s a virus when they first see it. As stated earlier, it is a part of the Windows operating system — not a virus.
Although the system folder itself is definitely not a virus, it is possible that a virus can infect it, or there could be an infected file with a similar name to SysWow6 (for example, SySWOW64).
If you are unsure if your system is infected, we suggest you scan the system for viruses using the built-in Windows Defender software or any other reliable third-party anti-virus scanner.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Scan Your System for Malware
Download Computer Malware Repair Tool
It is recommended to run a free scan with Combo Cleaner — a tool to detect viruses and malware on your device. You will need to purchase the full version to remove infections. Free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Scan Your System for Malware
To scan the system using Windows Defender, type «virus» in Search and click the «Virus & threat protection result».
Then, click «Advanced scan».
Select «Full scan» and click «Scan now». This will start scanning your system for malware and other viruses. See if Windows Defender finds any viruses related to the SySWOW64 virus and delete it.
If you wish, you can choose another virus and malware scanner from our Top anti-malware list. The list consists of well-known top spyware removers and will help you select the best software for system protection. Find the list by clicking this link.
We hope that this article was helpful. You should now know what the SysWoW64 folder is, why it is on your Windows system. If there is anything else you would like to add to this article, do not hesitate to leave a note in our comments section below.
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