As soon as you decide to upgrade to Windows  7, you have another decision to make: should you upgrade to the 32-bit edition or the 64-bit edition? While Microsoft has made the transition to 64-bit computing as seamless as possible for most, there are still some very important questions that need to be answered before you make the commitment to a 64-bit operating system . Here are a few.
Q: What's are the advantages of the 64-bit version of Windows 7?
The most frequently-cited advantage is that your operating system will have access to more than 4 gigabytes (GB) of memory (RAM). That's a big deal for some. More available memory means being able to run more applications at the same time or being able to give memory-hungry applications more room in which to work. The result could be increased productivity, better overall system performance, and fewer memory-related glitches. Of course, to get these advantages, you'll have to outfit your computer with more than 4 GB of RAM, which will increase overall system costs.
Those who have made the move successfully to 64-bit Windows 7 generally report few glitches other than having to overcome a minor learning curve. For instance, on 64-bit Windows 7 you'll find two "program files" folders on your C drive: one is called "Program Files" and the other is named "Program Files (x86)." The latter is used to store 32-bit applications. You'll probably find most of your programs installed into that folder, since most applications are still 32-bit. The other Program Files folder is reserved for 64-bit applications. At installation, you will not have to choose which Program Files folder receives the installation files. The operating system does this for you automatically.
Q: What are the disadvantages of 64-bit Windows 7?
A: There are two potential disadvantages: driver support and program availability. Although 64-bit operating systems have been out for some time now, the fact is that a surprising number of manufacturers still do not offer 64-bit versions of their drivers. While it is sometimes possible to use 64-bit drivers written for older versions of Windows in Windows 7, that's not always the case. And even when it is, you won't get support from device makers if you're using their drivers on an unsupported version of Windows. (continued...)
© 2010 Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) under contract with MarketWatch. All rights reserved.
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