Registry 32-bit/64-bit Redirection and Virtualization Pitfalls — Wow6432Node and the "The Value I Wrote Isn't There" Problem (archived 2026-08-30)

Abstract

How a 32-bit app's writes to HKLM\Software get redirected to Wow6432Node, the conditions under which UAC virtualization diverts them to the VirtualStore, the real damage caused when COM registration splits by bitness, and how to read and write correctly using RegistryView and reg.exe /reg:64 — organised from a practitioner's point of view. Archived version of https://comcomponent.com/en/blog/windows-registry-redirection-virtualization/, as published on 2026-08-30. The live article is maintained and may change after this date. First published 2026-07-24.