On Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:08:31 -0800, LuDean Marvin
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Ken,
>
> Since I have mostly older 32 bit programs and even a few DOS
> based programs I still like to use, and 64 bit apps aren't even
> an option in most cases, I guess will have to stick with the 32
> bit platform for my next OS. Thanks for your helpful advice!
You're welcome, but I don't think it's true that you will have to
stick with a 32-bit operating system. Most of what you are running
will *probably* work under a 64-bit version, as I thought I said
before.
Here's more information on the subject:
The advantage of running a 64-bit version of Windows exist only if you
also run 64-bit applications under it. Bear in mind that there are
very few such applications available yet. If you are presently running
32-bit Windows, you don't have any 64-bit applications, so to achieve
any advantage, you not only have to replace Windows, but also your
applications, *if* (and that's a big "if") 64-bit versions exist.
Also note that you will need 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.
Those drivers may not all be available, especially if some of your
hardware is a few years old. So it's possible that you might also have
to replace things like your printer, scanner, etc.
So the answer to your question is that it may not be a great idea
right now. That will undoubtedly change in the near future, but for
now, 64-bit Windows mostly means some extra trouble and expense for
little or no benefit.
On the other hand, installing 64-bit Windows instead of 32-bit Windows
makes you able to buy 64-bit software as it becomes available, instead
of the older 32-bit versions. That means that installing 64-bit
Windows--even though it will do very little for you at present--puts
you into a better position for the future.
> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
> > On Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:52:57 -0800, LuDean Marvin
> > <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> >> If I upgrade from a 32 bit Windows XP platform to a 64 bit Vista
> >
> >
> > Note that an upgrade isn't possible. You can only get there via a
> > clean installation.
> >
> >
> >> or Windows 7, will all of my 32 bit programs run on it?
> >
> >
> > It depends entirely on what the programs are, so nobody can answer the
> > question the way you put it.
> >
> > That said, *most* recent 32-bit programs will run on it.
> >
> >
> >> Or will
> >> I be stuck having to upgrade all of my programs to 64 bit
> >> versions?
> >
> >
> > 64-bit versions of most programs don't exist.
> >
> >
> >> My assumption is that some will and some won't. If
> >> so, is there a compatibility list somewhere that I can determine
> >> what will need upgrading or replacement?
> >
--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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