6 Ways to open System 32 folder on Windows 11 or 10

Perhaps probably the most essential folder for Windows, System32 has grow to be fairly the phenomenon in recent times thanks to varied jokes and pranks on-line. But what’s it about this obscure folder, tucked away quietly in Windows’ system drive that makes it so vital, how will you entry it, and what are a number of the issues that you simply may run into in case you are frivolous with it? Here’s all you should know.  

What is the System32 folder?

System32 is among the major folders utilized by Windows. During Windows set up, all the required information and folders which might be essential for correct Windows functioning are copied inside this folder. These embody vital system information, related executable information utilized by Windows utilities, the Dynamic Link Library (DLL), and even some software program information are copied inside this folder. 

Don’t be fooled by the title System32, although. All that is true for each 32-bit in addition to 64-bit computer systems. In a 64-bit pc, the System32 folder hosts 64-bit information, whereas the 32-bit information are discovered inside one other folder known as SysWOW64.

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How to open the System 32 folder on Windows OS in 3 methods

All that stated, you possibly can nonetheless entry the System32 folder in your Windows PC to view the information inside it. Anything greater than that ought to be finished with full data of what you’re entering into. So, with out additional ado, listed below are a number of methods to open the System32 folder on Windows, whether or not you’ve got Windows 11, Windows 10, or older.

Method 1: Using File Explorer

The easiest strategy to entry the System32 folder is thru File Explorer itself. Here’s how to take action:

1. Press Win+E to open File Explorer. Click on ‘This PC’ if you happen to’re not there already.
   
2. Then go to the next tackle: C:Windows
   Alternatively, copy and paste the above into the tackle bar.
   
   Note: If your Windows is just not put in within the C drive, then change C within the tackle above with the letter of the drive during which it’s put in.
3. And then hit Enter. Here, scroll down and discover the System32 folder.
   

If you’re getting an error message that claims “You need permission to perform this action”, seek advice from the FIX given additional down and discover ways to achieve permissions for this folder. 

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Method 2: Using Command Prompt (CMD)

You can achieve entry to the System32 folder and the information inside it from throughout the Command Prompt itself. Here is how to take action:

1. Press Start, sort cmd, then choose Command Prompt.
   
2. By default, you’ll be accessing information native to your consumer.
   
3. To entry the System32 folder, you’ll have to change the listing right here. Type the next command: cd C:WindowsSystem32
   
4. Then hit Enter.
   
5. This can be the default listing while you open an elevated instance of the command immediate (with administrator’s privileges). So, a sooner strategy to attain the System32 folder is by merely trying to find the command immediate, right-clicking on it, and selecting Run as administrator.
   
6. Now, to view the information inside System32, sort dir.
   
7. Hit Enter. Command Prompt will now listing all of the information throughout the System32 folder.
   

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Method 3: Using RUN

Another strategy to open the System32 folder is to sort its tackle within the RUN command field. Here’s how to take action.

Press Win+R to open the RUN field. Then sort or copy-paste the next:

C:WindowsSystem32

Then hit Enter. This will open up the System32 folder.

Another easy approach of accessing the System32 folder is from Start Menu or Search. Here’s how:
Press Start, sort C:WindowsSystem32 and click on on the folder that comes up in search.

Method 5: From the Task Manager

1. Right-click on the Start menu and choose Task Manager. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. 
   
2. Click on Run new activity.
   
3. Type System32 and hit Enter.
   

And that’s it!

Method 6: Using a Desktop shortcut

If you end up accessing the System32 folder, you possibly can create a desktop shortcut for it. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the desktop, and choose New > Shortcut.
   
2. Type system32. You ought to see it seem within the instructed gadgets. Select it.
   
3. Click Next.
   
4. Click Finish.
   
5. Now, every time you should entry System32, merely open it from this desktop shortcut.
   

System32 Access Denied: “You need permission to perform this action” – How to Fix

If whereas accessing the Sytem32 folder, you might be confronted with an Access Denied error message then you’ll have to manually take possession of the System32 folder. Here is how to take action:

1. Open File Explorer with Win+E key mixture. Then navigate to C:Windows.
2. Right-click on the System32 folder and choose Properties.
   
3. Click on the Security tab.
   
4. Click on Advanced close to the underside.
   
5. Next to Owner, click on on Change.
   
6. Click on Advanced.
   
7. Then click on Find Now.
   
8. Then choose the group or consumer names to offer folder entry to. Or scroll down and choose “Everyone” so everybody has entry to the folder.
   
9. Click OK.
   
10. Now, test the field next to “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”.
    
11. Click OK.
    
12. If prompted, click on Yes. Then await the possession to be modified.
    
13. Click OK when prompted.
    
14. Click OK.
    
15. Now, right-click on the System32 folder once more and choose Properties.
    
16. Go to the Security tab.
    
17. Select Administrators beneath “Group or user names”. Then click on Edit.
    
18. Select Administrators. Then place a test next to Full management beneath “Allow”.
    
19. Click OK.
    
20. Click Yes
    
21. Click OK on all open windows.
    

You ought to now be capable to entry the System32 folder.

System32 folder opens robotically at startup: How to Fix

Ideally, the System32 folder shouldn’t be opening robotically. This is an issue that might be brought on by third-party apps, viruses, or corrupt registry information which might be meddling with the system32 folder. So, one should strive a number of checks and options to repair this drawback. 

Fix 1: Check for Malware

Viruses and malware are one of many major causes for the system32 folder opening up at startup problem. So, the primary repair to check out is to scan for viruses. If you’ve gotten an anti-virus software program, open it up and go for the Full Scan.

If you don’t have anti-virus software program, you possibly can nonetheless make use of Windows Security. Here’s how to take action:

1. Place Start, sort “Virus and threat protection”, and open it up.
   
2. Now click on on Scan choices.
   
3. Select Full Scan.
   
4. Then click on on Scan now.
   
5. Wait for Windows Security to finish the scan and restart your system afterwards.
   

Fix 2: Conduct an SFC Scan

Corrupt or lacking information will also be the reason for the system32 folder opening robotically. A fast SFC scan from the command immediate can assist you test and resolve this. Here’s how:

1. Press Start, sort cmd, right-click on the command immediate and selet Run as administrator.
   
2. Now sort the observe command: SFC /scannow
   
3. Hit Enter.
   
4. Once full, restart your system, and test if the problem is resolved. 

FIX 3: Startup Services Troubleshooting

Another factor to do is to guarantee that no third-party apps are affecting the system. Here’s how to define that out:

1. Press Start, sort msconfig, and open System Configuration.
   
2. Go to the Services tab.
   
3. Here, place a test next to the field Hide all Microsoft companies.
   
4. If there are nonetheless a number of companies which might be checked, click on on Disable all.
   
5. Then click on OK.
   
6. Finally, reboot your PC.

If the System32 folder doesn’t open up this time, then we will safely say that one of many functions was inflicting this drawback. Exactly which utility can solely be discovered by trial and error. Go by way of the lately put in functions, uninstall them one after the other and test if the problem is resolved. 

Fix 4: System Restore

If the above fixes don’t clear up the problem, the final resort shouldn’t be to delete the System32 folder itself, however to conduct a system restore. Here’s how:

1. Press Start, sort Restore level, and choose Create a restore level.
   
2. Click on System Restore.
   
3. Here, you possibly can keep the default choice (Recommended restore) and click on Next.
   
4. Or, choose Choose a special restore level and click on Next.
   
5. Here, test Show more restore factors.
   
6. Select the occasion earlier than which you wish to restore your system to. Then click on Next.
   
7. Click Finish.
   
8. This will start the system restore course of. Wait for it to complete and test if the issue is resolved.

Can’t discover information in System32: How to Fix

Once they can entry the System32 folder, customers could generally discover that a number of the information and the folders that they anticipated to be there aren’t accessible. This is as a result of the information and folders are hidden, and will be solved with a number of clicks. 

1. To achieve this, press Win+E to open File Explorer. Then click on on View within the toolbar above.
   
2. Select Show after which click on on Hidden information so there’s a test positioned next to it.
   
3. You will now be capable to view all hidden information and folders as nicely.

The System32 folder is among the most outstanding folders on a Windows PC. Accessing it to view the information and folders that make up a few of its most vital information is kind of simple. However, until you already know what you’re doing, you need to by no means delete or modify the information inside it lest you find yourself inflicting irreversible injury to your PC.

Why is the System32 folder vital?

The information and folder throughout the System32 folder relate to quite a lot of applications that you could be already concentrate on, comparable to command terminals like PowerShell and Command Prompt, the Control Panel, Task Manager, Computer Management, Disk Management, and the like. For instance, if you happen to’re opening the command immediate, you’re principally accessing the cmd executable file that’s discovered inside this folder. 

However, there are a selection of information throughout the System32 folder that you could be by no means open your self however which nonetheless are vital for the right functioning of scores of functions and companies. Even Windows Registry information, which might have a deep impression on the final functioning of system-wide operations, are housed throughout the System32 folder. 

Because there are such a lot of vital information and subfolders upon which the traditional functioning of Windows depends, the System32 folder ought to be thought-about untouchable, for it is Windows itself.

Can you delete the System32 folder (and do you have to)?

In a word – sure, however solely to the detriment of your personal system. Windows itself places up a number of limitations to dissuade you from pursuing this path additional. If you’re persistent, although, you may go about this in reality, however it received’t result in any good. Anyone who recommends that you simply delete the System32 folder, to rid your pc of viruses, for instance, is simply making an attempt to get you to kill your personal system.

Even if you happen to handle to delete this crucial folder, the end result received’t be an explosion or a loud bang, as some on-line memes would have us assume. Instead, it would slowly die out with a whimper as Windows seems to be for the lacking information (to no avail) and begins a restore job, leading to a listing of errors and issues.  

We hope you discovered this information helpful in opening the System32 folder, or gaining the required permissions to take action, and fixing issues to it.