Ripping Out WOW64

I have been experimenting to see how much I can remove of the WOW64 emulator from XP x64.

Here is what I have got up to:

Removed all x86 and WOW64 files from the WinSxS folder
Removed all files from SysWOW64
Removed the 3 WOW64 DLL's from System32
Removed all WOW64, WOW, and X64 entries from the registry
Removed WOW KS thunk driver files

With this I can still boot and seem to have only access to 64 bit code.  However there are some more things I want to do:

Remove or disable registry reflection to the WOW6432Node keys
Remove the WOW6432Node completely
Remove the SysWOW64 folder (I get a blue screen if this is removed, even when empty.  If the entry to the folder is removed from KnownDLLs key in the registry I also get the blue screen.)

So guys, how much more of the emulator can I 'rip out', without modifying any system files directly?  Has anyone tried this before and got far?

Thanks.

So guys, how much more of the emulator can I 'rip out', without modifying any system files directly?  Has anyone tried this before and got far?

May I ask what is the "scope" of the exercise?

 

I mean, like:

1. reducing XP 64 installation size
2. increasing security by removing the possibility of execution of Win32 Malware/Viruses/Whatever 
3. making it faster/more responsive
4. for the fun of it
5. just because it can be done

A WinPE 3.x (and 4.x) 64 bit has all the WOW64 stuff removed, and there is a list of things that people re-adds to it (in order to add the 32 bit compatibility), maybe those files could represent a reference:

http://reboot.pro/to...ession-winpe-4/

http://reboot.pro/topic/16214-wow64/

 

Wonko

May I ask what is the "scope" of the exercise?
 
I mean, like:

• reducing XP 64 installation size
  
• increasing security by removing the possibility of execution of Win32 Malware/Viruses/Whatever 
  
• making it faster/more responsive
  
• for the fun of it
  
• just because it can be done

A WinPE 3.x (and 4.x) 64 bit has all the WOW64 stuff removed, and there is a list of things that people re-adds to it (in order to add the 32 bit compatibility), maybe those files could represent a reference:
http://reboot.pro/to...ession-winpe-4/
http://reboot.pro/topic/16214-wow64/
 

Wonko

Hi, thanks for the reply.

The reasons are more for number 4 and 5 of your reasons, it's just a hobby really to see how far I can remove WOW64.

I reckon there are some more files related to WOW64 I can remove from the system32 directly, and hope it's as easy as just removing the files without Windows punishing me with a blue screen for it.

I will look into the preinstall environments you mentioned for any clues, thank you.