title: Does KEY_WOW64_64KEY have any effect on 32 bit Windows?
body: <p>It <em>appears</em> that specifying the <code>KEY_WOW64_64KEY</code> flag (<a href="http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384129%28VS.85%29.aspx" rel="noreferrer">reference</a>) when accessing a registry key under 32-bit Windows XP has no effect - that is, no error is thrown, and the key is opened as if you hadn't had the flag set.</p>
  
  <p>I know Windows 2000 throws an error when it encounters this flag.</p>
  
  <p>I want to make sure my app is compatible with as many versions of windows (2k and later) as possible. </p>
  
  <p>Is there a Microsoft reference that specifies each version of Windows' behaviour for this flag? In particular, I'd like something that validates my assumption that it has no effect at all on post-2k 32-bit Windows.</p>