The General Differences Between Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit.

I see some of these questions asked quite frequently, so I thought I'd make a thread for clarification

Starting with the bottom line:
What’s the general difference?
Well 32 and 64 bit is, in it's simplest form, a reference to the way your computers CPU (processor) uses and passes information, through both the FSB (bus) and OS itself. 64 bit has a wider memory space than 32 bit, hence being able to utilize more than 3.6 GB of RAM and provide performance benefits. For even more information: A description of the differences between 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista

Can I upgrade from Windows 7 32-bit to 64-bit, and vice versa?
Can you perform an "upgrade"? No. However, if your processor support 64-bit, you can backup and do a "clean installation" of Windows 7 64-bit.

How Do I know what architecture of Windows I'm using?
To check the architecture of your Windows 7, open your start menu, and proceed to type “system” into the search field (assuming you have Windows Search enabled), click the First result under “Control Panel”. What you should now see is basic information about your PC, including amount of RAM installed, the model of your CPU. Beside “System Type” will either be 32 or 64-bit operating system. If you don’t have Windows Search enabled, open the start menu, right click on “Computer” and select “Properties”.

Should I install 32-bit or 64-bit?
You can only install 64-bit if your processor is capable of it, furthermore, there will be no real benefits unless you have more than 3 GB of RAM, unless if you have programs that are specifically 64-bit only, and will not function on the 32-bit system. To check if your processor is 64-bit capable, run the Intel Processor ID Utility or the AMD Hyper-V Check Tool depending on whether you have an AMD or Intel processor. If you're unsure of whether you have an Intel or AMD processor, why are you reading this?

Will I be able to run 32-bit programs on my 64-bit PC? Vice Versa?
Yes, compatibility is almost always maintained, though 64-bit optimized usually provide performance benefits on a 64-bit platform. But if you have a program made only for 64-bit systems, you will not be able to use the program on any 32-bit platform. For 64-bit systems, in your main drive (Usually C:\), there will be two folders: “Program Files” and “Program Files (x86)”, your 32-bit programs are installed in the second folder to avoid conflicts.

What about drivers?
Unfortunately, the same fate can't be met with drivers, if you have 32-bit drivers for a 64-bit PC, you'll need to go out searching for compatible 64-bit drivers. Same goes for vice versa.

What is the memory limitation in 32-bit?
The memory “limitation” isn’t really a limitation at all. If you have 4, 6, 12 GB or more RAM on a 32-bit system, it’s still “usable” just not by you for your programs, it’s typically used by graphics card and other overhead functions/devices. There is of course a way to make that RAM utilizable for your everyday programs, but I won’t post that here as it can cause conflicts and problems.

If you have any further questions, please post away

First of all thank u very much for this post. I am using windows 7 64 bit system and have bought a windows data recovery software of Stellar which is compatible with windows 7 32 bit. So, I was confused whether it will run at my system or not.


But after reading this post I got the solution.

Thanks a lot

No Problem

Originally Posted by geeklove2rock

if you want to upgrade 32 bit to 64 you have to........




If you want to move from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows, you'll need to back up your files and then perform a Custom installation of the 64-bit version of Windows. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows.

That is a clean installation, not an upgrade.

Originally Posted by Mitchell_A

That is a clean installation, not an upgrade.

Mitch,
beg to differ - to say NO to upgrading will be confusing for many people - you can upgrade by clean installing 64 is the more accurate answer. Upgrading does not necessarily mean to be able to upgrade from within your old Windows desktop.

Oh whatever guys
Most users that have stumbled upon this post won't be going into enough depth with their version of Windows to make the architectural switch.

Yes , me too think that this post is going to help a lot to reduce the confusion.

As I already mentioned that I have used the Stellar Phoenix Windows data recovery software which is compatible with both windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit as well.

this thread bring many useful tips. I thing these tips will be help me to know about proper computing. I will applied in my work.

Originally Posted by Agent Data

Mitch,
beg to differ - to say NO to upgrading will be confusing for many people - you can upgrade by clean installing 64 is the more accurate answer. Upgrading does not necessarily mean to be able to upgrade from within your old Windows desktop.

I realize that this thread is not current, but the subject matter is still current, so I am going to try to help clear up some "upgrade" confusion among some of the more rookie users.

There are conflicting definitions to the term "upgrade" with reference to computer operating systems currently in use. Microsoft refers to upgrade as replacing ANY OS with a later OS. By this definition, you can upgrade from Windows 98 to Windows 7 if your computer is capable of running Windows 7. You cannot, however, perform an "in-place upgrade". An in-place upgrade is upgrading without wiping your old OS, formatting, and installing the new OS fresh. This definition is commonly called simply "upgrade" by the using public. The typical computer professional will tell you that you can only "upgrade" from Windows Vista to Windows 7. Microsoft will tell you that you can perform an "in-place upgrade" only from Windows Vista to Windows 7. These two seemingly conflicting procedures are one and the same. Only the names are changed to confuse the innocent. By these same definitions, Microsoft will tell you, "Sure, you can upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 if you have adequate hardware, but you must perform a clean install" (format and install fresh). The typical computer professional will tell you, "No, you cannot upgrade from XP to Windows 7, you must perform a clean install".

If you are a novice and do not understand for sure which definition a person is using, better get it understood before you proceed.

edit: Agent Data is alluding to this terminology conflict here in his response to a previous post.

Originally Posted by john3347

.....

If you are a novice and do not understand for sure which definition a person is using, better get it understood before you proceed.

a word like "upgrade" (without specific context) will continue to confuse especially non-native speakers (forum visitors) and that is not exactly a novice issue! always throwing insults that easily?

ever thought about that perspective?...