NTSTATUS 0xC0000359 (STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_WIN

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: A 32-bit Windows image was supplied to a loading path that requires another image class.

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STATUS_DS_AG_CANT_HAVE_UNIVERSAL_MEMBER	STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_WIN_64

STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_WIN_32

The loader received a 32-bit image in an incompatible context

This status identifies a valid-looking 32-bit Windows image where the active path expects a different bitness or image role. It can arise when a 64-bit process tries to load a 32-bit in-process DLL, when deployment selects the x86 artifact for an x64-only component, or when a low-level loader path does not support WOW translation.

WOW allows many 32-bit executables to run on 64-bit Windows, but it does not permit a 64-bit process to load a 32-bit DLL into the same address space. Cross-bitness integration requires process separation and an IPC boundary.

What to inspect

Read both the COFF Machine field and optional-header magic for the failing image.
Record caller process bitness and whether the image is the primary executable, DLL, driver, or data-only mapping.
Check installer component conditions and file-system redirection for selection of an x86 path.
Use a 32-bit helper process when the component cannot be rebuilt for the 64-bit caller.

References

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