🧠 Sysnative Usage in 32-bit Scripts on 64-bit Windows
This script demonstrates how to correctly call 64-bit system executables from a 32-bit process, using the special Windows path alias: Sysnative.
🧩 Why Use Sysnative?
When a 32-bit process runs on a 64-bit Windows system, Windows redirects calls to System32 to SysWOW64, which contains 32-bit versions of executables.
To access the actual 64-bit system files from a 32-bit context (like in a 32-bit CMD or installer), you must use Sysnative.
⚙️ What This Script Does
It checks if the script is running in a 32-bit context on a 64-bit system:
if defined PROCESSOR_ARCHITEW6432
Set cmdreg=%SystemRoot%\sysnative\reg.exe
Set cmdpowershell=%SystemRoot%\sysnative\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
Set cmddism=%SystemRoot%\Sysnative\cmd.exe /c Dism
...
These variables are then used to:
- Modify registry keys with 64-bit reg.exe
- Run 64-bit PowerShell scripts
- Install drivers with 64-bit DISM
- Change power settings, run wusa, etc.
📘 Tip
Only use Sysnative when running 32-bit scripts on 64-bit Windows.
If your script runs in a 64-bit context, System32 already points to the correct location.