[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "what%20does%20fsWow64Proxy.exe%20do%20in%20the%20jaws%20screen%20reader"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "I couldn\u2019t find any official documentation that explicitly describes *fsWow64Proxy.exe* in JAWS as of June 2026. However, based on the available information, we can infer what it likely does and where it fits into JAWS\u2019 architecture. Here's what\u2019s known and what it appears to do, along with caveats.\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd0d What *WOW64* Means\n\n- **WOW64** stands for *Windows 32-bit on Windows 64-bit* \u2014 it's a compatibility layer that allows 32-bit applications to run on 64-bit Windows systems. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/winprog64/file-system-redirector?utm_source=openai))  \n- On 64-bit Windows, 32-bit binaries are often redirected via WOW64 mechanisms so they can still execute correctly. This involves managing file system paths, registry access, etc. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/winprog64/file-system-redirector?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udee0 What is *fsWow64Proxy.exe*\n\nAlthough *fsWow64Proxy.exe* isn\u2019t described in-depth by Freedom Scientific, what *is* known comes from technical support documents focused on installation and repair of JAWS (and related Freedom Scientific products like ZoomText, Fusion, etc.). Specifically:\n\n- During certain *setup* or *repair* operations, the \u201cFSWow64Proxy\u201d component might fail to process with error code **80070666**. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))  \n- The failure happens in versions of JAWS 2018 and similar versions of other Freedom Scientific software under specific upgrade or install scenarios. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))  \n\nThis strongly suggests that *fsWow64Proxy.exe* is part of a component used during installation (or repair) to handle tasks related to WOW64 compatibility \u2014 probably ensuring that both 32-bit and 64-bit modules are correctly installed, or that any proxying between 32-bit components and 64-bit processes works properly.\n\n---\n\n## \u2699\ufe0f Likely Responsibilities of *fsWow64Proxy*\n\nBased on the context in which it appears, *fsWow64Proxy.exe* likely has some of the following roles:\n\n- Acts as a *bridge/proxy* for WOW64 situations so that 32-bit modules in JAWS can communicate or work properly in a 64-bit environment.\n- Helps with installing, repairing, or configuring shared components that cross the 32-bit/64-bit boundary.\n- May deal with loading correct DLLs in the appropriate subsystem (32-bit vs. 64-bit), or setting registry keys/files so both architectures function correctly.  \n- During a repair, it\u2019s identified as a component that sometimes causes failure. Freedom Scientific suggests removing the \u201cfsWow64ProxyRepair\u201d component from repair tasks as a workaround. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \u26a0\ufe0f Warnings & Security\n\n- There\u2019s no indication from official sources that *fsWow64Proxy.exe* is malware. It is included with authentic Freedom Scientific installations. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))  \n- As with any system-level executable, however, it\u2019s a good idea to check its digital signature and file location if you see suspicious behavior.\n\n---\n\n## \u2705 Summary\n\nTo sum up:\n\n- **What it is**: A component of JAWS (and related Freedom Scientific software) for handling 32-bit/64-bit (WOW64) compatibility tasks via a kind of proxy during install or repair.\n- **When it runs**: Primarily during setup, repair, or when shared components across architectures need to be configured.\n- **Why it matters**: If it fails (e.g. error 80070666), it can break installation/repair of JAWS, Fusion, ZoomText, etc.  \n- **What it doesn\u2019t appear to be**: There is no evidence it\u2019s a regular runtime speech engine, or that it intercepts user speech, or that it is malware.\n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can try digging into system monitor logs or developer tools to see exactly which functions *fsWow64Proxy.exe* calls, or how big it is and what version it is \u2014 that might give more clues. Do you want me to look into that?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "how%20do%20I%20remove%20this%20from%20the%20JAWS%20repair"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are the official steps from Freedom Scientific for skipping/removing *fsWow64Proxy* during a JAWS repair, plus additional suggestions if things don\u2019t go smoothly. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \u2705 How to Remove *fsWow64Proxy* from JAWS Repair\n\nThese steps are based on a technical bulletin published by Freedom Scientific concerning the error:  \n> \u201cThe setup failed to process the \u2018FSWow64Proxy\u2019 component \u2026 Code: 80070666.\u201d ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))\n\nThey describe how to modify the repair so it excludes the *FSWow64ProxyRepair* component.\n\n1. **Run the setup program from the command line**  \n   Use the JAWS Setup executable with the `/help` switch to find out what command-line options are available. One of these options will be `ExtractSettings` (to pull out the current settings) and another will be `ReplaceSettings` (to use modified settings).  \n   Example:  \n   ```\n   SetupPackage.exe /help\n   ```\n\n2. **Extract the settings file**  \n   Use the `ExtractSettings` parameter to generate a `.ini` or settings file. You\u2019ll need to specify a place where the file will be saved. For example:  \n   ```\n   SetupPackage.exe /ExtractSettings \"C:\\Users\\[username]\\Desktop\\Settings.ini\"\n   ```\n\n3. **Edit the settings file**  \n   - Open the `.ini` file in a text editor.  \n   - Find the section for the *repair* setup type (`Repair`) or `SilentRepair`.  \n   - In its \u201cComponents\u201d list, locate the **fsWow64ProxyRepair** entry.  \n   - Remove that entry **and** any vertical bar (`|`) separator that follows it.  \n   - Save your changes. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **Run the repair using the modified settings**  \n   Use the Setup executable again, this time with the `ReplaceSettings` switch (pointing to your modified settings file) and specifying repair via `Type`. For example:  \n   ```\n   SetupPackage.exe /ReplaceSettings \"C:\\Users\\[username]\\Desktop\\Settings.ini\" /type Repair\n   ```\n\n---\n\n## \u26a0\ufe0f Official Advice & Alternative\n\n- Freedom Scientific points out that a more permanent solution is to **uninstall the product (including shared components)** and then install the latest version of JAWS. This fully updated version already has fixes so repairs **don\u2019t** fail on the `FSWow64Proxy` component. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))  \n- If you have **ZoomText**, **Fusion**, or **JAWS Inspect** installed alongside JAWS 2018, uninstall them first (with shared components) if their versions are out of sync with JAWS. Then re-install latest versions. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/support/technicalsupport/bulletin/1682?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd04 If That Doesn\u2019t Work\n\nIf the above method doesn\u2019t succeed for you:\n\n- Try uninstalling JAWS **completely**, including **shared components**. Reboot your PC. Then install the newest version of JAWS fresh. This clean install usually bypasses the repair error entirely. ([jfw.groups.io](https://jfw.groups.io/g/main/topics?after=1527770046460845985&page=462&utm_source=openai))  \n- Contact Freedom Scientific support. They may be able to guide you through the specific version you have, since file names and component naming can vary by build.\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can walk you through these steps using your current JAWS version\u2014just let me know which version you're on."
    }
]