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Error Message When You Run Regsvr32.exe on 64-Bit Windows

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Symptoms

When you attempt to run Regsvr32.exe to register a 32-bit dynamic-link library (DLL) on a 64-bit version of Windows, you receive the following error message:
Filename.dll is not an executable file and no registration helper is registered for this file type.

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Cause

This behavior occurs because the Regsvr32.exe file in the System32 folder is a 64-bit version. When you run Regsvr32 to register a DLL, you are using the 64-bit version by default.

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Resolution

To resolve this issue, run Regsvr32.exe from the %SystemRoot%\Syswow64 folder. For example, type the following commands to register the DLL:
cd \windows\syswow64
regsvr32 c:\filename.dll

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Status

This behavior is by design.

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More information

The Syswow64 folder contains the 32-bit versions of Windows program files and DLLs.

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Article Info
Article ID : 282747
Revision : 5
Created on : 12/1/2007
Published on : 12/1/2007
Exists online : False
Views : 355