How to retrieve correct path of either system32 or SysWOW64?

Question

I have a 32-bit process that can run either in 32-bit or 64-bit Windows. So, naturally, if the process tried to access the file c:\\windows\\system32\\file.ext,

Answer 1

System32 C:\Windows\System32 Windows System folder (system directory) for 64-bit files SysWOW64 C:\Windows\SysWOW64 Windows System folder (system directory) for 32-bit files Program Files C:\Program Files Folder for 64-bit program files Program Files (x86) C:\Program Files (x86) Folder for 32-bit program files