What is the SysWOW64 folder? What is the difference between SysWOW64 and System32?

If you're running a 64-bit version of Windows, you may have noticed a folder on your hard drive called SysWoW64. This is a new addition if you've used 32-bit versions of Windows before, as it doesn't exist in those versions of the operating system.

There are two relevant folders in this context, System32 and SysWow64. 64-bit files go into the System32 folder, while 32-bit files are placed within SysWow64. Both these folders contain system files for Windows, such as EXE files that belong to Windows and DLL files required by programs. However, sometimes third-party software applications add their own DLL files to these folders.

In this article, we'll delve deeper into SysWOW64 and explain its role in the system.

What is the SysWOW64 folder in Windows?

If you're running a 64-bit version of Windows, you may have noticed a folder on your hard drive called SysWOW64. But do you know what SysWOW64 is actually for?

In general, the SysWOW64 folder is a component of the Windows operating system that allows 32-bit programs to run on 64-bit versions of Windows. So, let's first explain the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows systems.

“32-bit” and “64-bit” typically refer to how a computer system handles information. In general, a 64-bit Windows operating system can manage more random access memory (RAM) than a 32-bit one. A 32-bit system is limited to 4 GB of RAM. However, a 64-bit system can support more RAM and take advantage of that extra RAM more effectively. Software compatibility is another important aspect of the 32-bit and 64-bit systems. 32-bit programs can only run on a 32-bit Windows computer, while 64-bit software can run on either system.

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"Is SysWOW64 a virus?"

SysWOW64 is not a virus. It is a legitimate folder containing system files necessary for running 32-bit applications on Windows 64-bit systems. This process works in conjunction with the System32 directory of Microsoft Windows, which manages 64-bit files. Users often mistake SysWOW64 for a virus since it can consume a significant amount of system RAM (around 40 GB) at times.

If you have serious concerns about the SysWOW64 folder, you can run a scan on your computer again using a trusted antivirus software or the built-in Windows antivirus like Windows Defender.

What happens if you delete SysWOW64?

After getting to know a thing or two about the SysWOW64 folder, some people get interested in whether they can delete it. To make things worse, due to the large amount of system RAM that SysWOW64 takes up, some users even consider it a virus.

However, since this folder enables 32-bit programs to run on 64-bit versions of Windows, it is not recommended to remove it from the system. If you have major concerns about this folder, it is advisable to scan your computer system with a reputable anti-spyware tool to see what might be hiding there. For example, cybercriminals might maliciously choose the SysWOW64 name to hide malware, such as cryptocurrency miners, on their systems.

As the SysWOW64 folder enables you to run 32-bit applications on 64-bit versions of Windows, it is not recommended to delete it. Thus, SysWOW64 is not a virus but a part of the Windows system. Hence, if you remove SysWOW64 without a valid reason, it may affect your computer's functionality.

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Can I reinstall or restore SysWOW64?

If you accidentally deleted the SysWOW64 folder, how can you recover it? You can use tools and options available in the Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating systems to restore lost system data. Running these utilities requires administrator privileges.

Method 1: Using a System Restore Point

System Restore allows Windows to revert all system files to a working state. Here's how to perform a System Restore in Windows 10:

Step 1: Press Win + S to open the Windows Search, then type “Recovery.” When the Recovery option appears in the results, click to open it.

Step 2: Click on "Open System Restore" and then click "Next." In the "Restore" section

Step 3: Select a restore point and follow the wizard to complete the operation, restoring your computer to a working state.

Method 2: Run the System File Checker (SFC)

All current versions of Windows come with a program called the System File Checker (SFC) that you can use to fix corrupted system files in Windows. You can run the System File Checker from within Windows with administrative privileges, or from a Windows recovery medium.

Step 1: Press Win + X and click "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)." Click "Yes" when the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears.

Step 2: Type sfc /scannow in the Terminal, and then press the Enter key.

Step 3: The System File Checker will scan the files and, if necessary, repair them. Restart your computer when it's done.

Method 3: Run “Reset this PC”

When you perform a reset, your data and most of your Windows settings are preserved, allowing for a full Windows reinstall and update. In some cases, this can improve your device's performance, security, browsing experience, and battery life.

Step 1: Press Win + I > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get started.

Step 2: Then choose Keep my files. Choose either Cloud download or Local reinstallation.

Step 3: Tap “Change settings,” then turn off the “Preloaded apps” switch, and tap “Confirm.”

Your computer will begin the reset process.

How to resolve the issue of the SYSWOW64 folder opening at startup

If any programs automatically open when you log into your Windows computer, they are considered startups. You can deal with this issue in one of two ways:

Startup Items in Task Manager

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, and then switch to the "Startup" tab.

Step 2: Look for any suspicious or unwanted items that could be causing this. Any enabled listed applications are set to start up at boot time.

Step 3: You can also disable them to see if the issue goes away.

Task Scheduler

Step 1: Open the Run dialog box (Win+R), type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: Expand the Task Scheduler library and look through the tasks to see if one is set to open the SYSWOW64 folder.

What is the difference between SysWOW64 and System32?

Both are system folders that contain files or dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) used by the entire system. But, owing to hard-coded paths in programs, they are misnamed.

64-bit program storage on 64-bit computers:

• Main files, such as EXE files, in C:\Program Files.
• The C:\Windows\System32 folder contains system-wide 64-bit library files, such as DLLs.

However, 32-bit app storage:

• The main files in C:\Program Files (x86).
• C:\Windows\SysWOW64 is a system-wide folder.

When 32-bit software is installed, and it tries to put a 32-bit DLL into C:\Windows\System32, the system redirects it to C:\Windows\SysWOW64. So System32 now contains only 64-bit libraries. Unfortunately, Microsoft cannot get rid of it, because many applications would break if it did.

To put it simply, 64-bit DLLs are located in the System32 folder on a Windows x64 system. The 32-bit DLLs are in a separate SysWOW64 folder. Native 64-bit processes look for their DLLs in the System32 folder where they belong. The operating system redirects requests from 32-bit processes and shows them the SysWOW64 folder instead.

Conclusions

Thus, from this article, you can understand that the SysWOW64 folder is not malware in most cases, and even though it takes up a significant amount of storage on your computer, it should not be deleted. If you accidentally remove the SysWOW64 folder, the methods mentioned in the article can assist you in restoring or reinstalling it.

In conclusion, this article has explained what SysWOW64 is and whether it can be removed from your computer.