Author: Chris Hoffman / Source: howtogeek.com
The C:\Windows\System32 directory is a critical part of the Windows operating system where important system files are stored. Some pranksters online may tell you to delete it, but you shouldn’t—and we’ll show exactly what happens if you try.
What is the System32 Folder?
The System32 folder located at C:\Windows\System32 is part of all modern versions of Windows. It contains important operating system files that Windows needs in order to function properly.=
This directory contains many different types of files, but DLL and EXE are some of the most common types you’ll find if you start digging through the folder. Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files are shared library files used by Windows programs—both utilities built into Windows and third-party programs you install—to perform various functions.
RELATED: What Are DLL Files, and Why Is One Missing From My PC?
The EXE files in the System32 folder represent various Windows system utilities. For example, when you launch the Task Manager, Windows opens the Taskmgr.exe program file located inside the System32 folder.
Many more important system files are located here, too. For example, the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers folder contains the SYS files associated with hardware drivers, which your system needs to properly communicate with its hardware. Even the system-wide Windows Registry files are stored here, in the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder.
Despite its name, the System32 folder is important even on 64-bit versions of Windows, where it still contains important system libraries and executables in 64-bit form.
RELATED: What’s the Difference Between the “System32” and “SysWOW64” Folders in Windows?
What Happens If You Try to Delete Your System32 Folder
There’s a dumb prank that’s been floating around the Internet for a long time, where jokers try to trick people into deleting their System32 folder. You shouldn’t do this, since the System32 folder is important. If you actually did delete your System32 folder, this would…
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