Is 64 bit windows vista compatible with the same stuff as 32 bit vista?

Question

I would like to know if it will run things like games the same as 32 bit.

Answer 1

What stuff are you talking about?

I am using Win Vista x64 as my OS, but would not suggest it because the whole x64 concept hasn't really caught on when it comes to the software developers/designers.

Just running the normal window apps. such as, Windows Office, I have found that a lot of the Office apps. have limited or no functionality like, Office Grove, becuase a x64 stem does not allow "active" file sharing this makes this application useless. Over all when I upgraded my 32-bit(x86) to x64-bit I loss the compatibility of certain devices that I had already purchased and/or have experienced major compatibility issues. The x64-bit system is good, however, we need more developers to focus on the x64 structure and start making their devices and software more compatible.  

Answer 2

Should be for most stuff...

But if you have really old programs, they might not work (esp. with 64-bit version).  Google “Vista compatibility list”.  Knowing a bit about computers helps getting the old problematic ones to work (Internet has a lot of solutions that smart people share).

Unless you really have to use an old program that doesn't work (i.e. for business)...

Get one with Vista 64-bit.  They usually have the best specs that will last long.

If this is any indication that 64-bit is the wave of the future and 32-bit will be “obsolete”…

“There appears to be a shift taking place in the PC industry: the move from 32-bit to 64-bit PCs.

We've been tracking the change by looking at the percentage of 64-bit PCs connecting to Windows Update, and have seen a dramatic increase in recent months. The installed base of 64-bit Windows Vista PCs, as a percentage of all Windows Vista systems, has more than tripled in the U.S. in the last three months, while worldwide adoption has more than doubled during the same period.  Another view shows that 20% of new Windows Vista PCs in the U.S. connecting to Windows Update in June were 64-bit PCs, up from just 3% in March. Put more simply, usage of 64-bit Windows Vista is growing much more rapidly than 32-bit. Based on current trends, this growth will accelerate as the retail channel shifts to supplying a rapidly increasing assortment of 64-bit desktops and laptops.”

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/window...

Answer 3

Most stuff will run fine, as long they don't depend on function only available in 32 bit version (driver, internal pointer, etc). You'll only concerned with drivers, and those customization pack.

However, unless one of your program really need over 4GB memory, it's better to use 32 bit version

Answer 4

sanscwantch-

My name’s Cody, and I’m working with the Windows Vista Outreach team to help answer questions folks might have about Windows Vista.  I noticed you had some questions about 32-bit and 64-bit versions.  Microsoft has actually put together a pretty handy FAQ that should be able to explain the general differences between 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista.  Here’s a link:  http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows...

If you’ve got questions about specific hardware or software and whether they will be compatible with a 64-bit version of Vista, a good place to check out might be Microsoft's new Windows Vista Compatibility Center, which you can find at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compati...

That site lets you search for specific hardware and software to see if they are compatible with a particular version of Vista.  If you can’t find what you are looking for at that site, you should check with the manufacturer of the hardware or software.  I hope this helps answer your question!

Thanks,

Cody

Windows Vista Outreach Team