What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit versions of
Windows?
The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's
processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of
Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively
than a 32-bit system.
How can I tell if my computer is running a 32-bit or a
64-bit version of Windows?
To find out if your computer is running a 32-bit or 64-bit
version of Windows in Windows 7 or Windows Vista, do the following:
- Open System by clicking the Start button , right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.
- Under System, you can view the system type.
Which version of Windows should I install: the 32-bit
version or the 64-bit version?
To install a 64-bit version of Windows, you need a CPU
that's capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows. The benefits of using a
64-bit operating system are most apparent when you have a large amount of
random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer, typically 4 GB of RAM or
more. In such cases, because a 64-bit operating system can handle large amounts
of memory more efficiently than a 32-bit operating system, a 64-bit system can
be more responsive when running several programs at the same time and switching
between them frequently.
How do I tell if my computer can run a 64-bit version of
Windows?
To run a 64-bit version of Windows, your computer must have
a 64-bit-capable processor. To find out if your processor is 64-bit-capable, do
the following:
Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start
button , and then clicking Control
Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and then, in
the list of results, click Performance Information and Tools.
Click View and print detailed performance and system
information.
In the System section, you can see what type of operating
system you're currently running under System type, and whether or not you can
run a 64-bit version of Windows under 64-bit capable. (If your computer is
already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won't see the 64-bit capable
listing.
So what does a 64bit operating system do for you?
- more security.
- faster applications designed for it.
- allows using more than 4GB of RAM.
- performance 32bit software can request more memory in a shorter time.
Disadvantages
- need more RAM: they map the memory in 64bit blocks (red lines in diagram), not 32bit, so all your program memory consumption is higher (1,4x-1,7x).
- 32bit applications, the majority, run in emulation mode.
- old 16 bit software, (Windows 98 / PowerPC Mac) ceases to natively work.
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