x86 Remote Debugger Service on x64

Question

Is it possible to install the x86 Remote Debugger as a Service on a 64bit machine? I need to attach a debugger to managed code in a Session 0 process. The process runs 32b

Answer 1

We had the same problem when trying to remote debug a website that is running as 32 bit inside 64 bit IIS.

You can also do this:

• Stop the default debugging service (which will be x64 as the installer will have been clever and configured that one to run).
• Navigate to the Remote Debugger start menu folder and run the x86 debugging service. Ignore the warning about
  32bit/64bit.
• Open the Tools->Options window of the remote debugger app window and make
  note of the value in the 'Server
  Name' text box.
• Now you can attach your visual studio to it by copying the 'Server Name'
  value into the 'Qualifier' text/combo box on the Attach To Process dialog
  of Visual Studio.

On a related note, there is also a low-level bug with Kerberos authentication if you are attaching from Windows 2008/7/Vista to a 2003 machine, reported to MS (and then closed as 'external') via Connect here: https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=508455