Wowexec.exe

[Arpan]

Does Windows 2000 Professional make use a file named wowexec.exe? I found it today accidently in C:\Windows\System32. The size of this file is 11 KB. I hope it not a worm or a virus though my anti-virus software (AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus) doesn't give any such indication! It is also listed in the 'Processes' tab in the Windows Task Manager. Surprisingly, it is listed as wowexec.exe but with a space preceding the 1st 'w' in wowexec - it is displayed as ' wowexec.exe' (without the quotes)!

Thanks,

Arpan

 

[Brett Baisley]

I just formatted my computer recently and I did a seach and that file comes
up. I doubt if I picked up a worm that fast, but if I did, then I guess I
got it too. I think you are save tho. Mines the same 11KB, and is dated
1999. I think it is safe.


Does Windows 2000 Professional make use a file named wowexec.exe? I found it
today accidently in C:\Windows\System32. The size of this file is 11 KB. I
hope it not a worm or a virus though my anti-virus software (AVG 6.0
Anti-Virus) doesn't give any such indication! It is also listed in the
'Processes' tab in the Windows Task Manager. Surprisingly, it is listed as
wowexec.exe but with a space preceding the 1st 'w' in wowexec - it is
displayed as ' wowexec.exe' (without the quotes)!

Thanks,

Arpan

 

[Dave Patrick]

NTVDM (NT Virtual Dos Machine)
WOW (Windows on Windows) subsystem

This link may help.
http://kb.indiana.edu/data/acxn.html

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]

:
Does Windows 2000 Professional make use a file named wowexec.exe? I found it
today accidently in C:\Windows\System32. The size of this file is 11 KB. I
hope it not a worm or a virus though my anti-virus software (AVG 6.0
Anti-Virus) doesn't give any such indication! It is also listed in the
'Processes' tab in the Windows Task Manager. Surprisingly, it is listed as
wowexec.exe but with a space preceding the 1st 'w' in wowexec - it is
displayed as ' wowexec.exe' (without the quotes)!

Thanks,

Arpan

 

[Gary Smith]

Does Windows 2000 Professional make use a file named wowexec.exe? I found it today accidently in C:\Windows\System32. The size of this file is 11 KB. I hope it not a worm or a virus though my anti-virus software (AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus) doesn't give any such indication! It is also listed in the 'Processes' tab in the Windows Task Manager. Surprisingly, it is listed as wowexec.exe but with a space preceding the 1st 'w' in wowexec - it is displayed as ' wowexec.exe' (without the quotes)!

Yes, Win 2000 does use that file. What you describe is normal.

 

[DaveA]

I've heard that this .exe allows 16-bit programs to run on
32-bit OS'es, but I might be wrong!

 

[Dave Patrick]

Yepper, check the link for some details.

 

[Arpan]

Thanks Brett, Gary & Dave for your inputs & suggestions. I guess I don't have to worry about it any longer!! Thanks once again!!!

Regards,

Arpan

Does Windows 2000 Professional make use a file named wowexec.exe? I found it today accidently in C:\Windows\System32. The size of this file is 11 KB. I hope it not a worm or a virus though my anti-virus software (AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus) doesn't give any such indication! It is also listed in the 'Processes' tab in the Windows Task Manager. Surprisingly, it is listed as wowexec.exe but with a space preceding the 1st 'w' in wowexec - it is displayed as ' wowexec.exe' (without the quotes)!

Yes, Win 2000 does use that file. What you describe is normal.