Windows 7: 32 bit or 64 bit

I bought the windows seven upgrade pack. I am currently running Vista Home Premium 32 bit. Looking for recommendations....... Should I upgrade to windows 7 32 bit or 64 bit....the hardware of the computer will support 64 bit..... What are the advantages of 64 bit system?



Thank you in advance....

32 bit vs 64 bit Comparison

If the hardware supports it, unless the system is short on memory I would go 64bit.
If your only on 2 or 3 gigs of ram I don't think it would make a difference.
4+ gigs of ram and yes definitely upgrade.

That's just my opinion though.
The benefits of 64 bit are actually a bit limited, there are only so many programs that actually run 64 bit so most of the time you will be running the same 32 bit apps you normally would. I know photoshop benefits from 64 bit if you are doing higher end editing. Few games do, but more and more utilities and media applications are using 64 compatible apps now too.

Anyhow, the only reason I wouldn't go 64bit on a system that supports it, is if the system doesn't have much ram. As the 64 bit install will consume more base ram as it runs more processes in the background.
If you are using 4 gigs or more it's pretty much required if you want windows to use all your ram. As the 32 bit version will not see anything around 3.25 gigs or higher.

Just a quick point.
You can actually upgrade from Vista 32 bit but you must do a clean install to go to Windows 7 x64.
Back up all your data.
Then you must reinstall all your applications.
Also it would be a good idea to check to see that there are 64 bit drivers for your hardware, although if your system is relatively new, that shouldn't be a problem bu just in case.

My laptop is running 3 gb of ram. Would that be enough ram to run the 64 bit windows 7? I ran a program called advisor from microsoft. Which recommended a custom install. Also suggested making backup of programs and files....
Thanks for all of the help...

One word of caution - Make sure your important software that you "have to have" is supported by a 64-bit OS!!!

A lot of people upgrade to a 64-bit OS only to suddenly find out their favorite software program no longer works or will not be upgraded to a 64-bit comaptible version.

Do your homework on this before the upgrade!!!

My two cents.

The differences and advantages have been well documented for about 5 years now, but it really all comes down to one point, here in 2011. Is there some reason why you can't run x64 (such as a very old application that is absolutely crucial)? If you can't find a reason not to run x64, go with it and be done with it. It's the platform of tomorrow (and today), so there's no point in clinging to the past unless you can find a good reason.

From what I have read I think I can make all of my software work that I currently have. I will have to install some of the software in another destination besides the typical Program files directory. So the programs will run under 32 bit OS. I am not sure if this will work but I thought of creating the Program Files folder in my documents and installing my (older non supported) applications there. Should that work? Also mentioned in what I read, it was suggested to install older programs in the X86 folder under C: or just install them under C: instead of C:/Program Files. This will keep the programs away from the UAC User account control(s) that are in windows 7. Which option should I use?

Where you install programs has no effect on User Account Control.

Windows 7 will automatically install various programs in the correct place.

Windows 7 will automatically try to install programs so that they work. Most do.

Only a few applications have to be run in special configurations. For the vast majority of users this is completely immaterial as they don't need to do it.

Regards....Mike Connor

Just to clarify what Mike is saying.... it makes no difference where you or Windows puts the files/programs, if it's installed under a 64-bit OS, it needs to be 64-bit compatible - whether it goes into the 32-bit program files folder or not is irrelevant.

Just to clarify.