Why is w9xpopen.exe bundled with Python 2.7 on Windows?

[ps16thypresenceisfullnessofjoy at gmail.com]

On Friday, August 29, 2014 8:54:47 PM UTC-4, Terry Reedy wrote:
> Please be more specific as to python installer source, python version, 
> 
> and location. I do not see it in my 2.7.8 directory installed by the psf 
> 
> .msi installer.

I'm also using the Python 2.7.8 MSI installer from the PSF, but the 32-bit version of it. The file is in the top-level Python27 directory.
I just checked, and a 64-bit installation of Python 2.7 that I have access to doesn't contain w9xpopen.exe. Are you using the 64-bit version?
I don't see the need for it in the 32-bit version either, unless there's a reason I'm not aware of.

-- Timothy