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What does WOW64 mean for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, ... the MS operating systems?


In any case, the WOW64 in Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, ... and Server 2019, 2016, ... has nothing to do with "World of Warcraft".



1.) ... WOW64 in MS Windows
2.) ... WOW64 and program performance
3.) ... Limitations for WOW64 subsystems
4.) ... 32-bit drivers and WOW64
5.) ... Learn more about Wow64





Preliminary information about WOW64:

Wow64 is used under all x64 Windows operating systems , not only in Win 10, 8.1, seven, but also in older Windows operating systems, Windows on Windows was already available under Windows XP x64 2005, which hardly anyone knows. The new Windows Web Server 2019 and 2016 continue to use the WOW64, because the number of 32 bit / x86 / x32 applications is very large and there are sometimes no x64 versions of some programs. Many files are in the Windows folder winsxs! 

See also: ►► Do I have Windows 10 x86, x32, or x64 !

1.) WOW64 in MS Windows




WOW64 is a subsystem of the Windows operating system. This enables 32-bit applications to work on a 64-bit operating system.

However, this is not new, or not an innovation, in Win-7, or Windows-8/10, it is already in use from Windows 2000 and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition 2005.

WOW64 can be seen as a bridge between 32-bit Introduce Windows and 64-bit Windows. WOW64 comes from English and stands for Windows On Windows 64 .

2.) WOW64 and program performance



Because the WOW64 subsystem is an artificial 32-bit environment under the x64 Windows versions, the x32 / x86 applications may run slower under these operating systems than under the 32-bit versions (x86 / x32) of Windows. But it may also be that the performance of some 32-bit programs with very high memory requirements under x64 Windows in WOW64 may be even better and faster.

The reason for this performance improvement is that the x64 versions of Windows support a larger amount of physical memory than the 32-bit versions of Windows.

3.) Limitations in WOW64 subsystems



The WOW64 subsystem does not support programs that have been compiled for 16-bit operating systems, nor does it support kernel-mode programs that have been compiled for 32-bit operating systems .

Some of the 32-bit programs may require 16-bit components to function properly. These cannot be run on x64 versions of Windows either. Contact the manufacturer of the 32-bit program and ask for a possible update that is compatible with the x64 versions or edition of Windows.

4.) 32-bit driver and WOW64



The x64 versions of Windows do not support 32-bit drivers. All hardware device drivers and program drivers must be compiled by the manufacturer specifically for the x64 version . If a 32-bit program tries to install a 32-bit driver on a computer that is running an x64 version of Windows, the driver installation fails. Contact the manufacturer of the program or driver.

5.) More information about Wow64



For more information and the differences between the 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows in terms of memory management, see the "Virtual Address Space" topic in the "About Memory Management" section of the documentation to the Microsoft platform SDK. This document is located on the following Microsoft website:

...WOW64 Implementation Details





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»»

  My question is not there in the FAQ
Asked questions on this answer:
  1. How can a 64-bit Windows 10 also run 32-bit programs?
  2. Install WOW64 32Bit driver?
  3. What does wow64 mean?
  4. Are there limitations with WOW64 subsystems?
  5. Wow64 windows 8 or 10 / 11?
  6. Wow64 start without if and but under Windows 11/10?
  7. WOW64 what is it?
  8. I always wanted to know what is the SysWOW64 folder in Windows?
  9. Can't find Wow64, I just can't install it on Windows 11, 10, 8.1?
  10. Am I wondering 64-bit versions because I can also start programs from Windows 32-bit versions without error messages that there are 64-bit systems and 32-bit programs work, why is that?
  11. Install and de-install Wow64?
  12. Wow64 start without ifs and buts under Windows 10?
  13. Wow64 repair windows 10?
  14. Are there any performance losses with 32-bit programs when they are run on x64?
  15. WOW64 and Windows 11/10 and MS Server 2019/2022?
  16. WoW64 scares me on Windows 11, 10 and 8.1?
  17. Does the SysWOW64 folder exist on all MS 64-bit Windows systems, and what does it contain?
  18. Wow64?
  19. What's all in the folder SysWOW64 is there a Windows system under 32?
  20. Are there any performance losses with 32-bit programs when they are operated on x64?
  21. Wow64 download free install?
  22. Play Wow 64, Wow64 edition?
  23. Wow64 download?
  24. Wow64 windows 11, 10, 8.1 or 7?
  25. Windows 10, 8.1, 7 64 bit WoW64?
  26. Can I start real 32-bit versions of programs on 64-bit Windows, does Windows no longer work properly?
  27. Wow 64 bit?
  28. Wow 64 is missing from my x32 Windows Starter 10, why?
  29. Wow64 what kind of part is that
  30. Download win where?
  31. Can't find the wow64, can't I just install it on Windows 10?
  32. Windows 10 wowo64?
  33. Download win wOw as freeware?
  34. Windows 10 64 bit WoW64
  35. Search fo best Windows 11, 10 wow64?
  36. Windows 11, 10, 8.1 ud find the wow64 !?
  37. WOW64 and Windows 10?
  38. WOW64 subsystem?
  39. Win 11 installer wow 64?
  40. Give wow 64 bit for other operating systems?
  41. Wow 128 bit operating system?
  42. Is Windows 10 compatible with 32-bit programs, does it have a 32-bit environment in which 32-bit programs can start without problems?
  43. Are there any restrictions on WOW64 subsystems in Windows 10 and Server 2019?
  44. Why do you need 32-bit programs to run with a 64-bit version of Windows?
  45. Install Wow64?
  46. Wow64 repair tool windows 10, 8.1?
  47. Restart WOW64?
  48. WOW64 what is that?
  49. How do I make Windows compatible with wow 64 bit?
  50. How to make windows compatible with wow 64 bit?
  51. 128 bit operating system?
  52. Win 10 installer wow 64?
  53. Wow 64 bit windows 10 / 11 download?
  54. WoW64 windows 10?
  55. WoW64 windows 11?
  56. Where can i download the wow64?
  57. Windows and wow64?
  58. WoW64 scares me under Windows 11/10 and MS Server?
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