Using 32-bit shell extensions in Windows 7 64-bit

Question

I\'d like to develop a shell extension (context menu handler) compatible with both Windows XP SP2 (32-bit) and Windows 7 64-bit.

Is it possible to run 32-bit shell

Answer 1

You can use a 32-bit explorer, like xplorer² in 64-bit Windows. They can handle 32-bit DLL extensions which may use for as searching content, preview data and those also display in context menu. The built-in explorer is 64-bit, which ignores 32-bit extensions.