Can I run 32-bit version of Explorer on 64-bit Windows?

Question

For compatibility and testing, I would like to run a 32-bit version of Windows Explorer on 64-bit Windows Vista. Is this even possible? And if so, how do I do that?

I looked into the System32 folder and it contains the explorer.exe but it appears to be the 64-bit version. Is there another EXE stored in some other location that I can run, one that is 32-bit?

Correction:

The explorer.exe is stored in C:\Windows and not in C:\Windows\System32. That's what I meant.

Update:

Apparently the /separate switch is undocumented. But the /e switch may not be relevant for Windows Vista, only for Windows XP.

Here's what I found:

For Windows Vista this should be enough:

%systemroot%\syswow64\explorer.exe /separate

The /separate switch is required to start explorer.exe as a separate process. Otherwise the 64-bit version is started.

just to be sure, you are talking about the file explorer, not internet explorer? — Keltari, Jun 03 '13 at 18:15
I did say explorer.exe and not iexplore.exe. It's called Windows Explorer for a reason. But it's also called File Explorer officially now in Windows 7 or 8 I think. Just rule out Internet Explorer. — Samir, Jun 03 '13 at 18:34
Can someone please explain or give me a link to some TechNet article or something where /separete and /e switches are explained. — Samir, Jun 03 '13 at 19:11
If you are still interested about the switches, here is a explanation of them. — Scott Chamberlain, Jun 03 '13 at 20:31

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 03 '13 at 18:50

3

Although I have not personally tested this, it looks like it may be possible:

On my install, I do not have a Explore.exe in System32, only in sysWow64. Perhaps a third party download is required to make sure the application is 32bit in your system32 folder.

answered Jun 03 '13 at 18:50

Austin T French

10,571

Okay, this worked. But I am given the code %Systemroot%\SysWOW64\explorer.exe /separate /e, {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D} and I know that %systemroot% is my Windows install directory, and explorer.exe is the program. And this is actually the 32-bit version of it. But what do the separate and e switches do? And what's that last number? – Samir Jun 03 '13 at 19:03
That's wrong name. It's called explorer.exe and not explore.exe. But yes, you are right about the location. It's in C:\Windows and not in the sub-directory C:\Windows\System32. Also make sure you type it in correctly if you are using the Run prompt, otherwise it will fail and give you an error. – Samir Jun 03 '13 at 19:05
2

To point some things out, SysWoW64 contains 32-bit executables and libraries, for use with Windows-on-Windows (the technology that allows 32-bit apps to run on 64-bit windows). System32 is a generic system folder, and despite the name, should contain executables and libraries that match the system architecture: 64-bit on W7 x64, and 32-bit on W7 x86. – Darth Android Jun 03 '13 at 19:36

Can I run 32-bit version of Explorer on 64-bit Windows?

1 Answers1