CODEWITHSUNDEEP
windowsvim
user886596
user886596

Reputation: 2440

gVim can't view file created with Notepad in System32 folder

When I create a file called hello.txt in C:\Windows\System32 with the text "hello" in it, gVim for some reason will not find this file. Can someone explain why this happens?

Here you can see I created the file in Notepad. Notepad

Now I'm trying to find the same file in gVim using :E. hello.txt is nowhere to be found. :e hello.txt opens up a new file. I feel like I'm getting trolled by my computer.

gVim

Upvotes: 1

Views: 475

Answers (1)

Ben
Ben

Reputation: 8905

If you're using a 32-bit Vim (both Bram's installer and the "Vim without Cream" installer often recommended are 32-bit) on a 64-bit Windows, then you've fallen victim to the WOW64 redirection in Windows. Since 32-bit applications are not compatible with 64-bit libraries, C:\Windows\System32 when accessed from a 32-bit application actually gives you the content of C:\Windows\SysWOW64.

But don't despair, you can actually access the C:\Windows\System32 on most 64-bit systems from within Vim, you just need to use the special path C:\Windows\Sysnative (which only seems accessible by 32-bit applications and maps to the 64-bit C:\Windows\System32 directory).

Upvotes: 7

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