The hitchhiker’s guide to Windows Secrets 2.0

System folder hogging 60 percent of drive!

Healthy 64-bit Windows setups have modest SysWOW64 folder sizes; but system errors can cause it to balloon to ridiculous proportions. Here’s the fix.

Plus: What to do when a missing product key stymies a reinstall/upgrade, and info about next week’s end of support for Windows 8.0.

SysWOW64 is largest folder on his system

Windows Secrets reader Rob wanted to clean up his 64-bit Win10 system, but a massive SysWOW64 folder has resisted all efforts to cut it down to a proper size.

• “[The data on] my Windows C: drive seems overly large to me (25GB), especially because I have few programs installed and the Downloads, Documents, Videos, Pictures, etc. folders are all on a separate partition.

  “I searched through the Windows folder and found that the SysWOW64 folder was 15GB! I followed Fred’s advice to use Disk Cleanup tool, but it didn’t make much difference.

  “Can you tell me what the function of the SysWOW64 folder and how it can be reduced in size?”

Let’s start with a bit of background. The SysWOW64 folder appears only on 64-bit Windows systems, usually at C:\Windows\SysWOW64.

Despite what the name might imply, SysWOW64 mostly contains 32-bit .dlls plus symlinks (symbolic links; more info), which connect objects in the SysWOW64 folder with related objects in the 64-bit system folder (which for reasons of compatibility is still called system32).

Yes, that sounds counter-intuitive: The SysWOW64 folder contains 32-bit software and the System32 folder contains 64-bit software!

Confusing names aside, this setup lets the main 64-bit OS access and use 32-bit .dlls as needed. (“WOW” is short for “Windows on Windows,” meaning “32-bit Windows software running on a 64-bit Windows system.”

SysWOW64 folder sizes vary enormously, especially if your setup is using symlinks. Somewhat like Windows shortcuts, symlinked objects can be virtual files that appear to be in SysWOW64 but actually reside elsewhere — or vice versa. Not all systems use symlinks, but on those that do, the symlinked items can make the SysWOW64 folder appear much larger than it actually is.

(Users can create their own symlinks, but the topic is far too complex to cover here. To quickly see all the symlinks on your PC, type this command — dir /AL /S C:\ — into an admin-level command window. For more info on the uses of symbolic links, see the relevant TechNet page.)

On a new, installed-from-scratch, unmodified copy of Win10 Pro x64 (not an upgrade), a normal SysWOW64 folder should be around 1GB in size. (See Figure 1.)

Typically, the SysWOW64 folder will be larger on upgraded systems because older .dll files can be carried over from earlier Windows versions. This is especially the case with systems that have undergone multiple upgrades — say, from Vista to Win7 to Win8 to Win10. (64-bit systems with numerous 32-bit applications installed can also have inflated SysWOW64 folders.)

For example, in various online discussion groups, users of upgraded systems (and/or who have many 32-bit apps) report SysWOW64 folders of 15GB to 25GB. But, again, the size of SysWOW64 folders varies widely; one unlucky user reported a gigantic, 182GB folder!

If the size of your PC’s SysWOW64 is causing a space crunch, try the system-file cleanup techniques given in the following:

• “Clean out obsolete, space-consuming update files” – Jan. 9, 2014, LangaList Plus
• “Huge WinSxS folder stymies PC cleanup” – July 23, 2015, LangaList Plus
• “Start the new year with a clean Windows PC” – Jan. 1, 2015, Top Story

If the preceding advice doesn’t help — or doesn’t help enough — your best bet for cleaning out the Win10 SysWOW64 folder is probably this:

• Make a complete backup or system image, using the tool of your choice.
• Open Control Panel and use the uninstall option in Programs and Features to remove older software you no longer need or use. In particular, get rid of as much 32-bit software as you can. Reboot your system.
• Run a good system/Registry cleaner to remove any pieces and settings left behind from the old software. Reboot again.
• Now, use Win10’s Reset option (Settings/Update & security/Reset this PC/Get started). Select the Keep my files option first. (Note: You’ll have to reinstall any apps you added to the system, once the reset process is done. See the related MS page for more info.) When the operation has completed, check the size of the SysWOW64 folder. If it’s a reasonable size, you’re good!
• If SysWOW64 is still too large, rerun the Win10 Reset using the Remove everything option. You’ll have to restore your personal files and apps from backups. Reinstall as little 32-bit software as possible, sticking instead to the 64-bit versions where you can.

When you’re done, the unnecessary 32-bit software that was bulking up the SysWOW64 folder should now be gone — for good!

Missing product keys prevent reinstall/upgrade

Al K. is trying to rehab a Win7 PC but is stuck in a deep rabbit hole.

• “A club I belong to was given a used but still-good Win7 notebook to replace an aging system. The donated system came with Office 2010. All software updates were installed.

  “Prior to donating the system to us, the previous owner deleted the original user accounts and files.

  “After a cleanup and prep (which included creating standard-user and admin-level accounts), I copied over the user files from the old PC. I then renamed the new PC to reflect its new home; I also deleted the remaining legacy accounts, including the original admin account and its files.

  “But now, backups fail with a variety of errors — 0x80070002, 0x80070003, and others — regardless of whether I use Win7’s own backup tool or third-party tools such as EaseUS Todo Backup.

  “I’ve tried numerous fixes for these errors but have had no luck.

  “I believe I could resolve the problem by doing a clean reinstall, but then I won’t have access to the original product key for Office 2010. And, of course, there’s no system image with which to recover files.

  “Upgrading to Win 10 might bring the problem into the new OS. I’ve run into a brick wall. What do you recommend?”

I agree that it would be a gamble to try to upgrade a setup known to have problems.

Because the system has deep-seated errors, I also agree that a clean install of the OS is the way to go. It should give you a fresh start and let you set up — or later upgrade — the system as you wish.

If a missing Office product key is what’s holding you back, the solution is easy: Use a tool such as Nirsoft’s free Produkey (site) to recover the existing key(s). For other key-recovery tools, run an online search using “recover office 2010 key.”

(Note: To download and run tools such as Produkey, you might have to disable your anti-malware software or create an exemption. These tools are often flagged as potentially unwanted programs. But in this case, because you’re deliberately downloading it and want it for the express purpose of finding your own product keys, it’s not ‘unwanted’ and should be allowed to run.)

Another alternative is simply to abandon the installed Office. Uninstall it completely (solving your reinstall/upgrade problem) and replace it with an Office 365 subscription or one of the excellent, free, full-blown office-suite alternatives such as OpenOffice or LibreOffice. Search online using “office suite free” for other options.

Or, if you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a full-blown office suite — that is, if you need only the basics for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and so on — you can use the free online versions of MS Office (site), Google Docs (site), etc.

With a fresh OS install, plus a reinstalled or replaced office suite, you should be able to get your club’s new PC working the way you want.

Microsoft ends support for Windows 8.0!

Official support for the original version of the much-maligned Windows 8 ended this past Jan. 12.

Note, however, that Windows 8.1 isn’t affected; its Extended Support period won’t expire until Jan. 10, 2023.

This is no surprise: Microsoft announced the end-of-life date for Win8.0 when it released Win8.1. If you’re still running Windows 8.0, it’s long past time to upgrade to either Win8.1 or Win10. Both upgrades are free for Win8.0 users and should be available via Windows Update and/or the Windows Store.

If you have trouble finding the Win8.0-to-Win8.1 upgrade, see a MS Support list of help pages.

For help upgrading from Win8.0 to Win10, see another MS Support list.

See also:

• “Microsoft Support Lifecycle” – MS Support info
• “Win8.0 Lifecycle” – MS Support overview
• “Win8 Lifecycle” – FAQ
• “Touring through the final Windows 8.1” – Sept. 19, 2013, Top Story
• “What you should know about Windows 8.1 Update” – April 3, 2014, Top Story
• “Moving up to Windows 8.1 without an MS account” – November 7, 2013, Top Story

Table of contents

A deadline for obsolete IEs and Windows 8

With the start of a new year, Microsoft is cleaning house of “obsolete” operating systems and browsers.

If you’re still on Windows 8.0, you need to update to Win8.1 to be fully supported. And for true browser protection, you need to be using the most current releases of Internet Explorer.

MS16-001 (3124275), MS16-003 (3124624)

Internet Explorer 7 and 8 get their last update

As I’ve noted before, reducing the number of versions Microsoft needs to support is a good thing. For example, keeping secure a browser that has multiple editions in multiple languages, for multiple operating systems is a tall order, even for Microsoft. Sending out monthly fixes for fewer versions should mean more reliable updates.

With that in mind, this month’s cumulative IE update, KB 3124903, is the last for IE 7 and 8. According to a Microsoft product lifecycle FAQ, “Beginning Jan. 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system will receive technical support and security updates.” Going forward, on desktop Windows, IE 9 will be the only supported version on Vista systems; IE 11 is the only supported version on Win7 and Win8.1.

Along with the operating system and your malware software, the browser is the most important app to keep up to date with the latest security fixes. If you remain on IE 7 or 8, your risk of infection will rise rapidly.

Keep in mind that Internet Explorer is deeply tied into Windows. So even if you don’t use IE as your default browser, it’s important to keep it current. (After you install this month’s cumulative update, you’ll be nagged that your browser is out of date and you need to upgrade — in most cases to IE 11.)

KB 3124624 is a related update for Vista and Windows Server 2008. It’s a critical JScript and VBScript patch for IE 7 (and earlier), and for systems that don’t have IE installed. (For newer versions of IE, the scripting fix is included in KB 3124903.)

What to do: Install KB 3124275 (MS16-001) as soon as offered; on Vista system, install KB 3124624 (MS16-003) if offered.

Clarifying Windows 8’s ‘end of life’

The headlines stating that Windows 8 had come to its end confused some Windows users. Microsoft has moved away from calling OS updates “service packs” — instead they now have build numbers. For example, in the old days, Windows 8.1 would have been called Win8 Service Pack 1, rather than Version 8.1. So when you read the headlines that Windows 8 won’t get updates after Jan. 12, it means only that you need to be on the latest version — Win8.1.

Personally, I recommend skipping Version 8.1 and moving up to Windows 10. But the free Win10 upgrade is offered only to Win7 and Win8.1 users, so if you’re still on the original Win8, you have another reason to upgrade to Version 8.1.

I know that some Win8 users were unable to make the upgrade because of some system error. Unfortunately, all automatic fixes have now been released by Microsoft. So if you’re still getting error messages when you attempt to move to Version 8.1, you’ll probably have to make the difficult decision to completely reinstall Windows from scratch. Windows’ standard repair tools can’t fix whatever is corrupted.

What to do: Sticking with Windows 8.0 could become increasingly hazardous; it’s past time to upgrade to Version 8.1.

MS16-002 (3124266)

Windows 10 update conflicts with ZenDesktop

KB 3124266 is a critical cumulative update for Microsoft’s new Edge browsers. But as noted in the update’s information page, it won’t be offered on systems running Citrix ZenDesktop/Virtual Desktop Assistant (more info). Once you add KB 3124266, you can no longer sign in to the Citrix software.

Microsoft’s solution: uninstall ZenDesktop, install the Edge update, and contact Citrix. A Citrix notification states that this issue is being tracked and the company is working on a solution.

The Edge patch fixes two memory-corruption vulnerabilities and requires a reboot. It also includes a fix that will block remote desktop protocol access from remote users if the account has no password. This was the default in prior versions of Windows, but the less-secure setting somehow snuck back into Win10.

What to do: If offered, KB 3124904 (MS16-002) is included in Win10 cumulative updates KB 3124263 and KB 312426. You’ll have to reboot the system to complete the update.

MS16-004

Another long list of Office security fixes

The list of things you can depend on is growing longer: death, taxes, regular Internet Explorer updates, and, for the past several months, extensive Office fixes and enhancements that span multiple products and platforms. Microsoft is now updating four releases of Office: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 (along with updates for Office for Mac, SharePoint 2013, and even Visual Basic 6.0 runtime).

The following updates are included in MS16-004:

Office 2007 SP3

• 2881067 – Office; rated important
• 3114421 – Visio; important
• 3114429 – PowerPoint; important
• 3114540 – Excel; important
• 3114541 – Office; critical
• 3114549 – Word; important

Office 2010 SP2

• 2881029 – Office; rated important
• 3114396 – PowerPoint; important
• 3114402 – Visio; important
• 3114553 – Office; critical
• 3114554 – Office; important
• 3114557 – Word; important
• 3114564 – Excel, important

Office 2013 SP1

• 3039794 – Office; important
• 3114482 – PowerPoint; important
• 3114486 – Office; critical
• 3114489 – Visio; important
• 3114494 – Word; important
• 3114504 – Excel; important

Office 2016

• 2920727 – Office; important
• 3114511 – Visio; important
• 3114518 – PowerPoint; important
• 3114520 – Excel; important
• 3114526 – Word; important
• 3114527 – Office; critical

What to do: Install the preceding updates if and when offered. See MS Support article MS16-004 for more information.

3114570

An update for an ongoing Outlook safe-mode issue

Back in December, Microsoft released KB 3114409 for Outlook 2010. After installing this nonsecurity update, some users discovered that Outlook went directly into safe mode. Finally, a month later, Microsoft has released an automated fix for that problem in the form of KB 3114570. If you didn’t install the earlier update, you have no need to install this one either.

I hope you’ll indulge me a moment to take Microsoft to task. Taking a month to fix what I consider a critical flaw is not acceptable — even for an older product such as Office 2010, which is still in wide use.

What to do: Install KB 3114570 only if you installed December’s KB 3114409, and your copy of Outlook now launches in safe mode.

MS16-005 (3124000, 3124001)

Giving a quick green light to two kernel updates

As regular Patch Watch readers know, I typically recommend delaying the installation of kernel updates for a couple of weeks. But recent fixes to the kernel have generally been well behaved — and most of our patching issues have been caused by other types of updates.

Thus I’m going to break my kernel-patching rule this month. Of the two patches in MS16-005, KB 3124000 is the more critical; it fixes a remote code-execution vulnerability.

What to do: Install both KB 3124000 and KB 3124001 (MS16-005) when offered.

MS16-006 (3126036)

Silverlight: Patch it or ditch it!

Microsoft’s media-playing add-on is the new Flash Player. KB 3126036 is yet another critical update; it fixes a vulnerability that could allow remote attacks if a user clicks a malicious link on a website.

Silverlight sometimes gets installed when you try to play some types of media. For example, Netflix required Silverlight. So you might want to go into Windows’ Programs and Feature, and check whether the app is on your system. If not, congratulations! Leave it uninstalled to prevent future attacks. (You can always reinstall it later, if it’s needed.)

What to do: Keep Silverlight only if you really need it; and if you do, install KB 3126036 (MS16-006) when offered.

MS16-007, MS16-008

Stomping out a pack of EoP vulnerabilities

It seems every month we get several updates to squash elevation-of-privilege (EoP) attacks, which can let hackers take control of targeted systems. Often, attackers will use blended exploits: one or more to gain footholds into otherwise protected systems plus EoPs to acquire full administrator rights.

The various patches in MS16-007 fix four vulnerabilities in Windows. They’re rated important for all current releases of the OS. Depending on your version of Windows, you’ll see some combination of the following KBs:

• 3108664
• 3109560
• 3110329
• 3121461
• 3121918

Note: For Windows 10, the patches are included in cumulative update KB 3124263.

A similar update is KB 3121212, a fix for the Windows kernel that also tackles EoP exploits. It, too, is rated important and affects all current versions of Windows.

What to do: Install any of the preceding updates when offered. For more information, see MS16-007 and MS16-008.

MS16-010 (3124557)

Exchange Server admins need to add a patch

Our final security update for January patches MS Exchange Server 2013 and 2016. KB 3124557 is rated important and addresses a vulnerability that could allow spoofing via Outlook Web Access.

What to do: Exchange admins will want to install KB 3124557 (MS16-010) after testing.

MS16-009

The case of the missing January update

If you look over Microsoft’s summary of updates, you’ll notice that MS16-009 is missing. A missing number is usually a sure sign that something went wrong with an update and Microsoft recalled it.

Given past history, I predict we’ll see this missing patch either later this month or whenever Microsoft decides it’s ready.

In the meantime, I’ll note three other security-related nonsecurity updates that come from security advisories.

KB 3118753 removes the obsolete and vulnerable Active X control for IBM Endpoint Manager for Remote Control (version 9.0.1 and later) and IBM Assist On-site (version 4.0.0).

KB 3109853, for Windows 8 and higher, fixes an issue with TLS Session Resumption Interoperability. The potential flaw was found by someone working for Fitbit. Who knew a fitness band could make our computers more secure? The update’s info page states that the patch improves Windows encryption.

KB 3123479 might show up in Windows Update, but according to its information page, it’s intended primarily for IT professionals. It’ll mostly have an impact if you manually download patches from the Microsoft Download Center. At worst, it might confuse us slightly when we download files from the Web. Look for a separate article explaining the effects of this update.

What to do: Install advisories KB 3118753 and KB 3109853 if and when prompted. KB 3123479 is optional.

January’s wrap-up of nonsecurity updates

It’s the usual drill; don’t rush to install nonsecurity updates unless a specific fix is urgently needed. January’s offerings include:

Office 2007/2010

• 3114544 – Outlook 2007; junk-mail filter
• 3114555 – Access 2010; crash on table export
• 3114563 – Outlook 2010 junk-mail filter
• 3114570 – Outlook 2010; opens only in safe mode

Office 2013

• 3114330 – Excel; crash on font selection
• 3114337 – SharePoint Designer; error message when creating workflow
• 3114344 – OneNote; language translations
• 3114498 – Office; unknown
• 3114500 – Outlook; various enhancements and fixes
• 3114501 – Outlook junk-mail filter
• 3114502 – Lync (Skype for Business); various fixes
• 3114505 – Access; crash on table export
• 3114506 – Office; documents in WebDAV
• 3114510 – Project; various enhancements and fixes

Office 2016

• 3114512 – Office; Data Loss Prevention issue
• 3114515 – Outlook junk-mail filter
• 3114516 – Skype for Business; reliability and performance
• 3114521 – Office; unknown
• 3114525 – Office; unknown
• 3114530 – Office; language selection with Office deployment tool
• 3114531 – Excel; crash on font selection
• 3114532 – Outlook; attachments issues
• 3114533 – Office; unknown
• 3114534 – OneNote; crash or display issues on bullet deletion
• 3114536 – Outlook/Office; display o languages read right to left, QAT display issues
• 3114537 – OneDrive for Business; crashes when clicking exit button
• 3114538 – Project; added properties and compatibility issues
• 3114689 – Access; SharePoint connection problems

Other updates

• 3085610 – Project Server 2010; project description not saved
• 3114487 – SharePoint Server 2013; numerous enhancements and fixes
• 3114492 – SharePoint Foundation 2013; cumulative update
• 3114493 – Project Server 2013; cumulative update
• 3114497 – SharePoint Server 2013; cumulative update
• 3114507 – Project Server 2013; numerous fixes
• 3114508 – SharePoint Foundation 2013; language translations
• 3114556 – Project Server 2010; cumulative update

What to do: Unless you need a specific fix provided by one or more of these updates, hold off on installing them until I report back in the next Patch Watch.

Regularly updated problem-patch chart

This table provides the status of recent Windows and Microsoft application security updates. Patches listed below as safe to install will typically be removed from the table about a month after they appear. Status changes are highlighted in bold.

For Microsoft’s list of recently released patches, go to the MS Security TechCenter page.

Patch	Released	Description	Status
3100465	12-08	Windows DNS	Install
3104002	12-08	Cumulative IE update	Install
3104503	12-08	Graphics Comp.; see MS15-128; KB 3109094 okay to install	Install
3105579	12-08	JScript and VBScript; Vista and Server 2008	Install
3106614	12-08	Silverlight 5	Install
3108371	12-08	Windows; also KB 3108381	Install
3108669	12-08	Windows Media Center	Install
3108670	12-08	MS Uniscribe; Win7 and Server 2008 R2	Install
3109103	12-08	Windows PGM	Install
3116111	12-08	MS Office; see MS15-131 for complete list	Install
3116869	12-08	Edge	NA
3121212	01-12	Windows kernel	Install
3124000	01-12	Windows kernel-mode drivers; also KB 3124001	Install
3124275	01-12	Cumulative IE update	Install
3124557	01-12	MS Exchange Server 2013/2016	Install
3124585	01-12	Office; see MS16-004 for complete list	Install
3124624	01-12	JScript/VBScript; Vista and Server 2008	Install
3124901	01-12	Windows; see MS16-007 for complete list	Install
3124904	01-12	MS Edge update; included in KB 3124263/3124266	NA
3126036	01-12	MS Silverlight	Install

Status recommendations: Skip — patch not needed; Hold — do not install until its problems are resolved; Wait — hold off temporarily while the patch is tested; Optional — not critical, use if wanted; Install — OK to apply.

The hitchhiker's guide to Windows Secrets 2.0

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*This post contains a correction concerning Lifetime subscriptions. An earlier version of this article stated that Lifetime subscriptions would be honored five years from their purchase. In fact, lifetime subscriptions to Windows Secrets will be honored as they had been by previous owners of the newsletter.