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

The following code will return the correct system directory (system32\syswow64):

[DllImport("shell32.dll")]
public static extern bool SHGetSpecialFolderPath(
    IntPtr hwndOwner, [Out]StringBuilder lpszPath, int nFolder, bool fCreate
);

public static string GetSystemDirectory()
{
    StringBuilder path = new StringBuilder(260);
    NativeMethods.SHGetSpecialFolderPath(IntPtr.Zero, path, 0x0029, false);
    return path.ToString();
}

On x86 you'll get %windir%\System32 On X64 you'll get %windir%\SysWow64

Hope this is helpful

Answer 2

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

Answer 3

if I understood it correctly, you can use SHGetSpecialFolderPath passing CSIDL_SYSTEMX86 to the csidl parameter. The documentation for the valid csidl's states that a 32 bit process will get:

• %windir%\system32 on a 32 bits OS
• %windir%\syswow64 on a 64 bits OS

Best regards