Thursday, September 30, 2010

32 and 64 bit versions for Windows 7

The main differences between the 32-bit versions of Windows 7 and the 64-bit versions of Windows 7


Architecture
Windows 7, 32-bit versions
Windows 7, 64-bit versions
System requirements
1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 64-bit (x64) processor, 512 MB of RAM
1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended)
Memory access
A 32-bit version of Windows 7 can access up to 4 GB of RAM.
A 64-bit version of Windows 7 can access from 1 GB of RAM to more than 128 GB of RAM.
Memory access per edition
All 32-bit versions of Windows 7 can access up to 4 GB of RAM.
Windows 7 Home Basic - 8 GB of RAM
Windows 7 Home Premium  - 16 GB of RAM
Windows 7 Ultimate - 128 GB of RAM or more
DEP
32-bit versions of Windows 7 use a software-based version of DEP.
64-bit versions of Windows 7 support hardware-backed DEP.
Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard)
This feature is not available in 32-bit versions of Windows 7
This feature is available in 64-bit versions of Windows 7. Kernel Patch Protection helps prevent a malicious program from updating the Windows 7 kernel. This feature works by helping to prevent a kernel-mode driver from extending or replacing other kernel services. Also, this feature helps prevent third-party programs from updating (patching) any part of the kernel.
Driver signing
Unsigned drivers may be used with 32-bit versions of Windows 7.
64-bit versions of Windows 7 require that all device drivers be digitally signed by the developer.
32-bit driver support
32-bit versions of Windows 7 support 32-bit drivers that are designed for Windows Vista.
64-bit versions of Windows 7 do not support 32-bit device drivers.
16-bit program support
32-bit versions of Windows 7 support 16-bit programs, in part.
64-bit versions of Windows 7 do not support 16-bit programs.

4 comments:

  1. I have a 32 bit system and it can read upto only 2.97 gb of ram (i have 4gb onboard) as in computer properties it shows only 2.97 usable..wat's that then?

    ReplyDelete
  2. what does 'support 16 bit programs, in part' mean?

    ReplyDelete
  3. why a 32 bit version of windows 7 can access upto only 4gb ram whereas the 64bit version can access upto 128gb ram.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please post your own content, not stuff copied from other sources on the internet.
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946765

    ReplyDelete