![]() This allows Windows to run 32-bit programs on a 64-bit version of Windows. The “WOW64” part of the name here refers to Microsoft’s “Windows 32-bit on Windows 64-bit” software, which is a part of the operating system. ![]() RELATED: Why Are Most Programs Still 32-bit on a 64-bit Version of Windows? However, if you ever need to manually install a DLL file in the correct location or find where one is installed-which is very rare-you’ll need to know which is which. The Windows operating system and programs you use automatically place their files in the correct location and use the correct folder. And, despite the 64 in the name, the SysWOW64 folder contains 32-bit libraries-at least on 64-bit versions of Windows. Despite the “32” in the name, the System32 folder contains 64-bit libraries. 32-bit programs store their files in C:\Program Files (x86), and the system-wide folder is C:\Windows\SysWOW64. On a 64-bit computer, 64-bit programs store their files in C:\Program Files, and the system-wide C:\Windows\System32 folder contains 64-bit libraries. On a 32-bit computer, all 32-bit programs store their files in C:\Program Files, and the system-wide library location is C:\System32. So, just as Windows has separate 32-bit and 64-bit Program Files folders, it also has separate 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the System32 folder. Many system-wide libraries included with Windows are stored in C:\System32, and some programs also dump their own library files here. However, not all DLL files are stored in Program Files. By separating 64-bit and 32-bit software into two different Program Files folders, Windows ensures that they won’t get mixed up and caused problems. If a 32-bit program goes to load a DLL file it needs, finds a 64-bit version, and tries to load it, it will crash. It’s helpful for these files to be separated because 64-bit programs need 64-bit DLL files, and 32-bit programs need 32-bit DLL files. On a 64-bit version of Windows, you have a C:\Program Files folder containing 64-bit programs and their files, and a C:\Program Files (x86) folder containing 32-bit programs and their files. RELATED: What's the Difference Between the "Program Files (x86)" and "Program Files" Folders in 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.Īpplications running on your system may be installed in your Program Files folder or elsewhere, but they often load system-wide libraries from the System32 folder. EXE program utilities which are a part of Windows. ![]() The System32 directory contains Windows system files, both. ![]() RELATED: What Are DLL Files, and Why Is One Missing From My PC? ![]()
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