When you download the Sysinternals Autoruns utility from Microsoft , the ZIP file contains several executables with similar names. The primary difference between and Autoruns 64a is the hardware architecture they are designed to support:
When you download the Microsoft Sysinternals Autoruns suite, the ZIP file contains several different executables. If you're trying to figure out whether to click autoruns64.exe or autoruns64a.exe ,
Before comparing the two “64” versions, it is essential to understand Autoruns’ evolution. autoruns 64 vs autoruns 64a
autoruns64.exe is the native 64-bit executable file designed for traditional AMD64 or Intel64 processors.
However, there are edge cases:
Malware authors have begun writing native ARM64 rootkits for Windows on ARM. autoruns64a.exe has native access to query the ARM64 kernel driver list via the ZwQuerySystemInformation syscall. Under emulation, autoruns64.exe relies on thunking layers that could theoretically miss a driver that only registers itself with the ARM64 kernel subsystem.
One of Autoruns' most powerful features is its "Hide Windows Entries" and "Include Empty Locations" options. It also has a specific behavior: when you run a autoruns.exe on a 64-bit OS, it will warn you and ask if you want to launch the 64-bit version instead. When you download the Sysinternals Autoruns utility from
Autoruns64 vs Autoruns64a: Choosing the Right Sysinternals Tool for Your System
The primary difference between and Autoruns64a is the processor architecture they are designed to run on . Both are part of the Microsoft Sysinternals Autoruns suite, which helps identify programs configured to run automatically during system boot or login. Quick Comparison Table Intended Architecture autoruns64.exe x64 (64-bit Intel/AMD) Standard desktops and laptops with 64-bit Windows. autoruns64a.exe ARM64 autoruns64