Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform methods in accordance with embodiments hereof, for emulating execution of divergent program execution paths to determine whether any “would be” program defects exist in a particular divergent program execution path and/or to determine the nature of such “would be” program defects are provided. The dynamic execution state (e.g., register values and memory locations) of a program being executed is cloned at a point of potential divergence and a virtual processor having the same dynamic execution state is generated. Subsequently, utilizing the virtual processor, a test trace is initiated along the divergent program execution path and information gathered during the test trace is analyzed to identify any program defects that may have occurred had the program execution followed the divergent path.