Subscribe to Windows IT Pro

 

Get Newsletters

  • Get the Latest News
  • Product Updates
  • Helpful Tricks
  • Productivity Tips

Subscribe Now!

July 22, 2002 12:00 AM

What's the Wow6432Node under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE registry subkey?

John Savill
Windows IT Pro
InstantDoc ID #25995
Rating: (33)

A. The Wow6432 registry entry indicates that you're running a 64-bit version of Windows. The OS uses this key to present a separate view of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE for 32-bit applications that run on a 64-bit version of Windows. When a 32-bit application queries a value under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\<company>\<product> subkey, the application reads from the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\<company>\<product> subkey. The figure below shows the structure under Wow6432Node that 32-bit applications will see. A "registry reflector" copies certain values between the 32-bit and 64-bit registry views (e.g., mainly for COM registration) and resolves any conflicts using a last-writer-wins approach.

Click here to view image

Related Content:

ARTICLE TOOLS


Want to use this article? Click here for options!

Comments
Add A Comment
  • Christensen
    2 years ago
    Sep 15, 2010

    Just another excellent argument for sticking to good old ini-files :o)

  • Manish Kumar Garg
    8 years ago
    Jun 21, 2004

    So my question is how can i read 32 bit registry from my application i.e. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\\\ subkey on a 64 bit version of windows from within installshield code.

You must log on before posting a comment.

Are you a new visitor? Register Here

advertisement

advertisement

White Papers

Get your Windows 7 deployment off to the right start by implementing PC lockdown. A locked-down environment is easier and cheaper to support since users are less likely to make unnecessary changes to the core system configuration - read more here!

Essential Guides

Is your iSCSI "lossy"? The reality is that most off-the-shelf Ethernet hardware deployed for iSCSI can lose packets, resulting in slow performance or application downtime. Learn how to assess your current iSCSI infrastructure and engineer an advanced iSCSI SAN infrastructure.

Web Seminars

What's the best way to keep your network safe from malware? In this web seminar, security expert Greg Shields suggests an alternative method to the traditional blacklisting approach that is common with anti-virus and anti-malware solutions.

eLearning Series

We bring the experts direct to you to share their real-world perspective and expertise. During each event, three sessions stream in real time, so you can learn, ask questions, and get solutions.
Upcoming event: Getting the Most with Exchange 2010 with Paul Robichaux

Subscribe to Windows IT Pro!

Cloud IT Pro DevProConnections Left-Brain Mobile Dev Pro SharePoint Pro SQL Server Pro SuperSite for Windows Windows IT Pro

© 2012 Penton Media, Inc.

Home About Us Advertise Customer Service Privacy Statement Subscribe/Renew Terms Of Use

Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies. Windows IT Pro is used by Penton Media Inc. under license from owner.