LOGO Mobile menu
Download SpyShelter
Open Book

Discover our Resources →

Learn how to protect your Windows PC from malware and other threats.

Application Control

Control your PC apps and their behaviors.

What’s that .exe?

Is that executable safe, or a threat?

SpyShelter PC Protection

Learn how to protect your PC from bad apps.

Registry Protection

Protect your Windows Registry from harm.

How to prevent Screenshots

Learn how to prevent unauthorized Screenshots.

Executable Directory

Our ultimate directory of Windows PC executables.

What’s wowreg32.exe (SetupAPI 32-bit Surrogate)? Is it safe or a virus?

Wowreg32.exe is a legitimate Windows system file associated with the SetupAPI, acting as a 32-bit surrogate process for managing certain installation or configuration tasks on 64-bit versions of Windows. It facilitates compatibility between 32-bit installer components or processes and the 64-bit Windows architecture, enabling smooth execution of legacy software or installation routines. This surrogate environment ensures that installers or applications depending on 32-bit SetupAPI functions can operate correctly, maintaining system stability and compatibility. It is part of the Windows core components and is not a program directly interacted with by users but runs as needed by the system.

Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the wowreg32.exe process is safe or malware.

  1. Scan the executable with Microsoft's built-in tech
  2. Find wowreg32.exe's publisher
  3. Search the executable's hash with VirusTotal
  4. Monitor the executable's behavior

Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs

Recently Detected Threats

A Trojan is a harmful software that pretends to be a legitimate program or file to deceive users into downloading it. It can steal personal information, damage files, or give hackers control over the infected device.

Download SpyShelter to see detailed safety information about every .exe on your PC.

Check your PC for threats
Recently Viewed Executables

More about wowreg32.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes wowreg32.exe (SetupAPI 32-bit Surrogate)?

We’ve found Microsoft Windows should be the publisher of wowreg32.exe.

How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.

What does it mean if someone is the publisher of a PC .exe (executable or process)?

The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.

Last updated: March 10, 2025

Curious about other processes on your PC?
Try SpyShelter or search below.

Or browse the process directory by name:

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ#

Why should you trust us?

Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.

Have any questions? Please join our free public SpyShelter PC Security Forum and talk cybersecurity with our USA-based team. We love talking about PC Security and we’d like to get to know you.

Join our PC security forum →