Windows 10: How are x86 shell extensions able to run on ARM64?

So I've just installed WinRAR (an x86 application) on my shiny new Yoga C630 ARM64 laptop and was very surprised to find out that the explorer shell extension (the one that adds the compress context menu options on right click) actually works.


Now I have to say that I'm really curious - how is that even possible? Shell extensions are DLL files loaded by explorer.exe and as far as I know WoW64 is process-wide - a native ARM64 process shouldn't be able to load an x86 DLL (or vice-versa). Even on x64 you can't load 32-bit code into a 64-bit process.


... and yet it still works. What's the magic here? Does the ARM64 version of explorer.exe have its own mini WoW64 layer just for shell extensions? Also, if that is the case is there any performance impact on the explorer shell and/or battery life?

:)

 

What is the compatibility level of traditional Win32 x86 native apps on Windows 10 on ARM64?

What is the compatibility level of traditional Win32 x86 native apps on Windows 10 on ARM64?

Can it attain the similar compatibility level on Windows 10 x64 Edition? (i. e. Almost all
Win32 x86 native apps can run on Windows 10 x64,
except those who need their own 32-bit kernel-mode drivers.)

 

Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files (x86)\user extensions\cliente.exe'

Thank you for the response Anil Madilshetty. I attempted the steps you listed above and restarted my laptop on the "Safe Mode." I attempted the pathway for the error 'C:\Program Files (x86)\user extensions\cliente.exe,' but sadly I still have not been
able to fix this issue, I continue to get the box error ever minute. The common answer for this error on Windows 7 is to delete any file with the word "ROCET" in the file, but I am unable to find that file on Windows 10. Is there perhaps another file name
that is causing the error 'C:\Program Files (x86)\user extensions\cliente.exe'? Thank you for your response.

Al

 

Shell experience not running in Windows 10

Hi,

I appreciate if you could answer few questions to narrow down to the issue.

• 
  What is the exact issue that you are facing?
  
• 
  Does that mean the Start menu Cortana and the Task bar is not responding?
  
• 
  Which is the current build installed on the computer?
  
• 
  Did you install any third party security application?
  
• 
  Where exactly did you find that the shell experience not running?
  

As an initial troubleshooting step, I suggest you to download and install any pending updates that needs to be installed on the computer through Windows update and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

Hope the information helps. Please get back to us with the required information. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.