Where is the kernel?

Maximilian

Lifer
Feb 8, 2004
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Googled it and didnt get an answer. Is it in a folder somewhere existing as some file type or is it something thats loaded into memory and you cant click on or anything?

Im asking this about windows btw, XP, Vista etc.
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
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<drive letter>:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe
 

Maximilian

Lifer
Feb 8, 2004
12,604
15
81
Originally posted by: ViRGE
<drive letter>:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe

Cool, thanks. Ive got some more questions if you dont mind... just curious really.

What would happen if i dragged it into the recycle bin or renamed it or put it somwhere else?

Why is it still called system32, ive got a 64 bit installation of vista, i always assumed system 32 because it was 32 bit.

Why is one of the system32 folders blue, its called "DRVSTORE"?
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
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Originally posted by: Maximilian
Originally posted by: ViRGE
<drive letter>:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe

Cool, thanks. Ive got some more questions if you dont mind... just curious really.

What would happen if i dragged it into the recycle bin or renamed it or put it somwhere else?
It should be locked since it's in use, but if you succeeded you'd be unable to boot your system the next time around

Why is it still called system32, ive got a 64 bit installation of vista, i always assumed system 32 because it was 32 bit.
Originally it was System32 because it was 32bit. The fact that it isn't System64 for x64 is a bit of an annoyance for people, but basically keeping the name and sending 32bit stuff to another directory (SysWOW64) broke less stuff.

Why is one of the system32 folders blue, its called "DRVSTORE"?
Blue means it's a compressed directory.