64 vs 32

[Anderson2]

Are there any disadvantages to having Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed - rather than 32bit?
Utilities, etc.?

 

[richc46]

Are there any disadvantages to having Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed - rather than 32bit?
Utilities, etc.?

You can preinstall 32 or 64.

 

[Anderson2]

Yes I know you can pre-install either one, but was wondering if certain utilities like Partition Magic, and others work in 32 but not in 64. Will there be certain things that will not work in the 64 version because it is 64bit?

 

[mckillwashere]

In the nasty time for x64 users called XP Pro x64 Edition, There were some issues.
But now in the time of main stream x64 more company's are releasing x64 programs.

x64 uses a system process to convert from x86 to x64.
Most programs that are x86 are compatible with the service.

 

[richc46]

Yes I know you can pre-install either one, but was wondering if certain utilities like Partition Magic, and others work in 32 but not in 64. Will there be certain things that will not work in the 64 version because it is 64bit?

Sorry, I misunderstood. Almost everything works on 64 that works on 32, but not all. Time for 64 is not here 100%, but my the time of the next windows presentation, it will be a 64 world. Nest windows is coming out in 64. So it is up to you. You can find out for each of your programs or you could just go 64. I will try to find the MS list of which programs work with 64. Check back by tomorrow and if I could find it I will post here. Otherwise wait for others who may know about your specifics. I believe Part Magic works with 64. They probalby will let you know on theier web site.

 

[richc46]

Im back early, it was easy. This is the official MS list of compatible programs.




http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx

 

[BevDaBronxbabe]

I exchanged the 64 bit pc for a 32 bit because one of my much needed programs would not work with it, no matter which compatibility mode I set it to.

Yes I know you can pre-install either one, but was wondering if certain utilities like Partition Magic, and others work in 32 but not in 64. Will there be certain things that will not work in the 64 version because it is 64bit?

Sorry, I misunderstood. Almost everything works on 64 that works on 32, but not all. Time for 64 is not here 100%, but my the time of the next windows presentation, it will be a 64 world. Nest windows is coming out in 64. So it is up to you. You can find out for each of your programs or you could just go 64. I will try to find the MS list of which programs work with 64. Check back by tomorrow and if I could find it I will post here. Otherwise wait for others who may know about your specifics. I believe Part Magic works with 64. They probalby will let you know on theier web site.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

Yes I know you can pre-install either one, but was wondering if certain utilities like Partition Magic, and others work in 32 but not in 64. Will there be certain things that will not work in the 64 version because it is 64bit?

Partition Magic has been discontinued by Symantec, and is not compatible with Windows 7. You might try Easeus, which works with 32-bit Windows 7 and offers some advantages over the basic Disk Management utility.

The Windows 7 Compatibility Center that richc46 mentioned already is a great resource for not only determining compatibility of various software, but also for locating driver updates or application patches.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[DarkPhoenix]

I agree. The Powers That Be, have been trying to get the world to switch to 64 bit for over 6 years now. It's like beating a dead horse.

The problem is software developers have not caught on yet. When the PC went from 16 bit to 32 bit the devs started making 32 bit software right away and it was not very long that no one made 16 bit apps anymore.

I am running Win 7 64 bit But I keep a hard dive around with Microsoft's Best Operating system to date - XP 32 bit - because it will run Everything (aside from a few DirectX 11 games that need DX11 and a DX11 capable graphics card) - and I do have things Win 7 won't run.

Really Vista and Win 7 was Not needed. They should have kept the core of XP and just made a new OS out of that.

I use 64 bit because I want my PC to see and use all of my 4 gigabytes of Ram which XP 32 won't do. That and This way I have also enabled ACHI Mode in my SATA drives to take advantage of all my hard drives features. (I was under the impression this does not work too well running a 32 bit OS)

Also I understand Win 7 uses less resources in general and it will more so if all of your applications are 64 bit. I simply get all the 64 bit apps I can and what I can't find for 64 bit, I don't worry about and use the 32 bit ones. A lot of times I use the 32 bit apps anyway because the certain software I like doesn't yet come in a 64 bit version. A lot of the 64 bit app I see are made by cheesy companies I don't trust or just plain don't like the software even if it does give me a performance boost by using less resources.

You just have to pick and choose, weigh one poison against another. One day when everyone only makes 64 bit applications, things will get better. For now, Just hold tight and ride that wave.

I hate to see what will happen the day 128 bit come out - Whooohoooo !

 

[richc46]

I agree. The Powers That Be, have been trying to get the world to switch to 64 bit for over 6 years now. It's like beating a dead horse.

The problem is software developers have not caught on yet. When the PC went from 16 bit to 32 bit the devs started making 32 bit software right away and it was not very long that no one made 16 bit apps anymore.

I am running Win 7 64 bit But I keep a hard dive around with Microsoft's Best Operating system to date - XP 32 bit - because it will run Everything (aside from a few DirectX 11 games that need DX11 and a DX11 capable graphics card) - and I do have things Win 7 won't run.

Really Vista and Win 7 was Not needed. They should have kept the core of XP and just made a new OS out of that.

I use 64 bit because I want my PC to see and use all of my 4 gigabytes of Ram which XP 32 won't do. That and This way I have also enabled ACHI Mode in my SATA drives to take advantage of all my hard drives features. (I was under the impression this does not work too well running a 32 bit OS)

Also I understand Win 7 uses less resources in general and it will more so if all of your applications are 64 bit. I simply get all the 64 bit apps I can and what I can't find for 64 bit, I don't worry about and use the 32 bit ones. A lot of times I use the 32 bit apps anyway because the certain software I like doesn't yet come in a 64 bit version. A lot of the 64 bit app I see are made by cheezy companies I don't trust or just plain don't like the software even if it does give me a proformance boost by using less resources.

You just have to pick and choose, weigh one poison against another. One day when everyone only makes 64 bit applications, things will get better. For now, Just hold tight and ride that wave.

I hate to see what will happen the day 128 bit come out - Whooohoooo !

Thank you, quite an interesting perspective.

 

[jfar]

Hi, here is a good explanation of the 64bit v 32bit.

64-bit: More than just the RAM http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/10/16/64-bit_more_than_just_the_ram/1

 

[manhunter2826]

Im back early, it was easy. This is the official MS list of compatible programs.




Windows 7 Compatibility Center home

Thanks for that official link; very useful indeed

 

[unifex]

I should add that most often software that is not on the Microsoft compatibility list will still work in Windows 7 x64. I have lots of 32-bit software that is not officially supported for Windows 7 - including some very specialized professional stuff - and all works well. I can't recall a single one that does not work.

Although, strike that - the Adobe Acrobat and the Sony PMB did not work in x64 at first. Eventually they came up with x64 patches - and now everything works well.

Of course, if the software somehow relies on 16-bit code - then that's it, no go.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

... the Adobe Acrobat and the Sony PMB did not work in x64 at first. Eventually they came up with x64 patches - and now everything works well.

IMO that is the best use of the Compatibility Center (there's one for Vista, too) - locating patches and product updates easily. If you're using it to decide whether to upgrade to Windows 7 at all, then you're likely to be disappointed by the *apparent* lack of support for many programs. If you're already running 7 however, it can be a quick resource for troubleshooting finicky software.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

 

[zigzag3143]

There is one more thing to go into the mix. I do BSOD's and lately we have been having a plague of 64bit. Much more than 32bit. DOnt know why but of my last 500 44 were 32 bit.

That would make me nervous


Ken

 

[unifex]

... the Adobe Acrobat and the Sony PMB did not work in x64 at first. Eventually they came up with x64 patches - and now everything works well.

IMO that is the best use of the Compatibility Center (there's one for Vista, too) - locating patches and product updates easily. If you're using it to decide whether to upgrade to Windows 7 at all, then you're likely to be disappointed by the *apparent* lack of support for many programs. If you're already running 7 however, it can be a quick resource for troubleshooting finicky software.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

To be honest - I did not find the Sony PMB at all on the official list. The Acrobat is there, although I had to use the search function to find it - I have no idea in which category they have sorted this one. Yet the Sony software is working and is very important to me - otherwise my camcorder would be totally useless.

 

[WalkerA WinTeam]

To be honest - I did not find the Sony PMB at all on the official list. The Acrobat is there, although I had to use the search function to find it - I have no idea in which category they have sorted this one. Yet the Sony software is working and is very important to me - otherwise my camcorder would be totally useless.

Yeah, as noted in previous posts the list is hardly comprehensive. If Sony PMB is important to you however, you should definitely suggest its addition to the list.

I think part of the problem could be manufacturers who don't prioritize putting their own products on that list, let alone keeping it updated with the newest compatibility information. Customers should be able to use the Compatibility Center, not have to build it themselves...

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

EDIT: Also, I hardly ever browse by product type - IMO the search function is faster.