XP/Vista 64-bit OS - can I use 32-bit software?

howardb

howardb

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Just wondering - if I install XP 64-bit OS (or Vista 64), can I still install all my 32-bit software and application packages, and will they work? Are 32-bit applications fully compatible with a 64-bit OS?

Most of my searches bring up the differences/pros/cons between 64 and 32 OS's, but very little on the applications... :p

How stable are they - are drivers now readily available for most hardware - is it worth it?

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Description of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is a near feature-complete version of Windows XP Professional that runs on x64 processors. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition supports 128 GB of RAM and 16 terabytes of virtual memory address space, as compared to 4 GB of both physical RAM and virtual memory address space for 32-bit Windows XP Professional.

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition runs 32-bit applications in the Windows on Windows 64 (WOW64) subsystem providing compatibility with the more than 10,000 existing 32-bit Windows applications while enabling new 64-bit applications.

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Running 32-bit applications
32-bit applications running in the WOW64 subsystem provide a highly-compatible, high-performance environment for the thousands of existing 32-bit applications. 32-bit applications are installed into the Program Files (x86) directory structure, and have separate hives in the registry to prevent problems.

Applications running in the WOW64 system on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition each have a full 4 GB of virtual memory space. Applications compiled to take advantage of the /3 GB switch will actually get 4 GB, without constraining the operating system at all, since it is running in the 8 terabytes of virtual address space that Windows XP Professional x64 Edition has for the system processes. This can have a substantial impact on memory-constrained applications, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), even before a 64-bit version of the program is available.
 
Most of them should work, however, your anti-virus apps and firewall apps may not work. You will then need to get their respective x64 versions. Best to go to their official sites and check compatibility or check their readme files.
 
Yea most 32 bit software runs, you get the odd program that requires you download the 64 bit version but that is no problem as majority or software makers have their products for 64 bit windows as well. There are however a few older programs that will not run.
 
Thanks for the replies - I'm needing to finally wipe and reinstall, and just wanted to know if they would work - will probably load 64-bit XP or Vista and see how it goes...

..if there were issues with some apps, could I run a virtual pc of say a 32-bit XP OS on a 64-bit XP/Vista OS installation? Should be possible I think...
 
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My jump from 32 to 64 was relatively pain free, I had the odd driver or something small that needed a 64 bit ver. but really nothing major. Put it this way - the downloading and installing was well worth it, Vista 64 has to be the best os full stop.
 
I guess you could but I don't think it will be necessary. The only pain I've found is that it allocates a separate 'program files' folder to x86 programs, and they don't seem to always show up on the All Programs list on the start menu. So you need to add them there manually.
 
I would not go for xp 64 bit though, i am not sure if it still has major drivers issues but i can remember just about all printers and scanners from hp had no drivers. This may have changed but i suggest you go with vista 64 bit because it has drivers for just about every piece of hardware.
 
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