WOW64 is the x86 emulator that allows 32-bit Windows-based applications to run on 64-bit Windows.
WOW64 launches and runs 32-bit applications seamlessly. The system isolates 32-bit applications from 64-bit applications, which includes preventing file and registry collisions. Console, GUI, and service applications are supported. The system provides interoperability across the 32/64 boundary for scenarios such as cut and paste and COM. However, 32-bit processes cannot load 64-bit DLLs, and 64-bit processes cannot load 32-bit DLLs.