Windows 7 but which one?
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Windows 7 but which one?
I am going to make the jump, on my home machine, from Windows XP to Windows 7 soon.
I have Windows 7 Professional 64 bit (an OEM from Dell) on my shop machine.
I run a few programs on my home machine which do not get along entirely with Windows 7. I know this because I have had to upgrade the same programs to run on my shop box.
On the home machine, I would like to keep as many of these programs as possible and I want to play a few games...some of which came out before Windows 7.
I am prepared to put a VM on the home machine but as a last resort.
Which version of Windows would be most compatible with my existing programs and usage? I am inclined to the Professional 64 bit version (as in my shop computer) but and not sure what the difference between that and the other versions are...and what benefits I derive from 64 bit.
I have an Intel i5 3.20 ghz with 4 gb ram and an Nvidia Geforce 9800 GT.
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Hello DW,
Other than checking at the program publisher's website to see what it is compatible with, the link below at Microsoft can help you determine what has been confirmed to be compatible with Windows 7. If they are not listed and do not run properly in Windows 7, then you might try running them using compatibility mode with Windows XP (Service Pack #) selected to see if it may help.
Windows 7 Compatibility: Software Programs & Hardware Devices: Find Updates, Drivers, & Downloads
As far as 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 goes, some of your older XP programs may not work in 64-bit Windows 7 if the program is 16-bit. 16-bit support in 64-bit Windows 7 has been dropped, but 16-bit will run in 32-bit Windows 7 still. Be sure to check the programs (software) in the link above to see if it is compatible with 64-bit Windows 7.
The link below can help you compare the differences between the Windows 7 editions.
Compare Windows 7 Editions
Hope this helps some,
Shawn
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