Microsoft recommends the use of 32bit Office 2010

    Microsoft recommends the use of 32bit Office 2010


    Posted: 22 Apr 2010
    Important: Microsoft strongly recommends the use of 32-bit (x86) versions of Office 2010, Project 2010, and Visio 2010 applications as the default option for all platforms.
    64-bit editions of Office 2010

    Updated: 2010-04-22

    [This article is pre-release documentation and is subject to change in future releases.]

    Processors that are 64-bit are becoming the standard for systems that range from servers to desktop computers. The 64-bit systems can use more virtual and physical memory than 32-bit systems. This lets users work with much larger data sets than they could previously, and to analyze and solve large computational problems. Microsoft Office 2010 introduces native 64-bit versions of Microsoft Office products to take advantage of this larger capacity. For example, this additional capacity is needed only by those Microsoft Excel users who require Excel spreadsheets that are larger than 2 gigabytes (GB). The 32-bit version of Office 2010 provides the same functionality and is also compatible with 32-bit add-ins. Therefore, the 32-bit version of Office 2010 is installed by default.

    Office 2010 also provides support for 32-bit Office 2010 applications that run on 64-bit Windows operating systems by using Windows-32-on-Windows-64 (WOW64). WOW64 is the x86 emulator that enables 32-bit Windows-based applications to run seamlessly on 64-bit Windows systems. Office 2010 lets users continue to use existing Microsoft ActiveX Controls, Component Object Model (COM) add-ins, and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), which are primarily 32-bit because no 64-bit versions are available yet for many add-ins. Supporting 32-bit Office 2010 applications that run on 64-bit operating systems allows for better compatibility with controls, add-ins, and VBA.

    The recommendations for which edition of Office 2010 to install are as follows:

    If users in your organization depend on existing extensions to Office, such as ActiveX controls, third-party add-ins, in-house solutions built on previous versions of Office, or 32-bit versions of programs that interface directly with Office, we recommend that you install 32-bit Office 2010 (the default installation) on computers that are running both 32-bit and 64-bit supported Windows operating systems.


    If some users in your organization are Excel expert users who work with Excel spreadsheets that are larger than 2 gigabytes (GB), they can install the 64-bit edition of Office 2010. In addition, if you have in-house solution developers, we recommend that those developers have access to the 64-bit edition of Office 2010 so that they can test and update your in-house solutions on the 64-bit edition of Office 2010.


    This article applies to the current release of Office 2010. For a visual representation of this information, see 64-bit Client Installation of Microsoft Office 2010 (Download details: 64-bit Client Installation of Office 2010), which includes supported scenarios, deployment considerations, and an overview of the Setup process.
    More...


    I've had no issues using the x64 version of Office 2010 beta, will depend on your usage.

    Your Mileage May Vary.
    Dave76's Avatar Posted By: Dave76
    22 Apr 2010



  1. Posts : 434
    7 x64/ Back-Track 4
       #1

    Really interesting. Good read :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #2

    In my bleary eyed not yet awake state this morning, I installed the x64 version instead of x86 .

    And going by that article, it looks like only Excel (which I don't use) that seems to be the only app in the suite that takes any real advantage of x64.

    I don't really use Office all that much anyway, so I think a quick trip to re-install town may be in order for those 'off-chance' plug-in incompatibilities.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Have been using Office Pro 2010 beta x64, Visio 2010 x64 beta, Project 2010 x64 beta, since it was available and haven't had one single issue with the 64 bit version.

    Today d/l'ed all x64 again and will install them, if there're any issues, will report back.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 19:59.
Find Us