Microsoft Windows 7 Starter 32 Bit

Your computer is probably running a 64-chip version of Windows. But have a look at Job Manager and you'll encounter that many apps on your organization are still 32-bit. Is this a trouble?

Nearly modern computers—definitely those sold since around the Windows seven days—are 64-bit capable and send with a 64-bit version of Windows. If you're unsure most your own PC, it's easy to check whether yous're running 32-chip or 64-scrap Windows. There are many differences between 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows—enough that if your PC and apps back up it, you should be running the 64-bit version. Fifty-fifty if every app yous run is a 32-scrap app, running a 64-scrap Bone is still going to be more secure and reliable.

But, what about those apps? Things go a fleck trickier, in that location. The first affair to know is that 64-fleck versions of Windows tin can run 32-scrap apps, just 32-bit versions of Windows can't run 64-bit software. Another niggling wrinkle—and one that applies merely to a very modest number of people—is that 32-bit versions of Windows tin can run erstwhile xvi-bit apps, but those 16-bit apps will non run on a 64-bit version of Windows. So, let's dive into that a bit more than and encounter when information technology might affair to you.

RELATED: How Do I Know if I'chiliad Running 32-bit or 64-chip Windows?

How to Check Which of Your Apps Are Still 32-bit

RELATED: Beginner Geek: What Every Windows User Needs to Know About Using the Windows Job Director

You can use Job Director to meet which of your programs are 64-fleck and which are 32-bit. To open it, right-click any open expanse on the taskbar, and so click "Task Managing director" (or press Ctrl+Shift+Escape).

On the "Processes" tab, accept a look under the "Proper name" cavalcade. If you're using a 64-bit version of Windows 8 or 10, you'll see the text "(32-bit)" afterward the name of any 32-bit app. If you're using a 64-scrap version of Windows 7, you lot'll encounter the text "*32" instead. In all versions, 64-bit apps have no extra text after the name.

Windows also installs 32-chip and 64-bit apps in different places—or at least, tries to. 32-bit apps are normally installed to the C:\Program Files (x86)\ folder on 64-bit versions of Windows, while 64-scrap programs are usually installed to the C:\Programme Files\ folder.

This is more of a guideline, though. At that place's no dominion forcing 32-bit and 64-bit apps into their respective folders. For case, the Steam client is a 32-bit program, and it gets installs properly into the C:\Program Files (x86)\ folder by default. But, all games you lot install through Steam are installed to the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam folder by default—fifty-fifty 64-bit games.

If you compare your two different Program Files folders, you'll find that nigh of your programs are probably installed to the C:\Plan Files (x86) folder. They're likely 32-bit programs.

Is Running 32-chip Apps on 64-bit Windows a Bad Idea?

RELATED: Why the 64-bit Version of Windows is More than Secure

On the surface, information technology might seem similar running 32-scrap apps in a 64-fleck surroundings is bad—or less than ideal, anyway. After all, 32-bit apps aren't taking full advantage of the 64-bit compages. And information technology's true. When possible, running a 64-flake version of the app provides additional security features to apps that are likely to come under attack. And 64-chip apps can access much more retentivity directly than the four GB that 32-fleck apps can access.

Still, these are differences that you're just not probable to discover running regular apps in the existent world. For instance, you're not going to endure any kind of performance penalty by running 32-fleck apps. In a 64-scrap version of Windows, 32-scrap apps run under something named the Windows 32-bit on Windows 64-flake (WoW64) compatibility layer—a full subsystem that handles running 32-bit apps. Your 32-fleck Windows programs volition run well-nigh the same every bit they would on a 32-fleck version of Windows (and in some cases, even ameliorate), so there's no downside to running these programs on a 64- bit Bone.

RELATED: Why the 64-bit Version of Windows is More Secure

Fifty-fifty if every program you lot use is nevertheless 32-flake, you lot'll benefit because your operating arrangement itself is running in 64-bit manner. The 64-chip version of Windows is more than secure.

But 64-chip Programs Would Exist Better, Right?

Equally we mentioned before, there is an advantage to running the 64-bit version of an app, if 1 is available. On a 64-bit version of Windows, 32-flake programs can but access 4 GB of memory each, while 64-chip programs can access much more. If a program is likely to come under attack, the additional security features applied to 64-bit programs can assist.

Many apps offer both 32-bit and 64-flake versions. Chrome, Photoshop, iTunes, and Microsoft Office are a few of the about popular Windows programs, and they're all bachelor in 64-bit form. Demanding games are frequently 64-fleck so they tin can employ more retentiveness.

Many apps haven't fabricated the jump, though, and about never will. Y'all tin can still run nearly ten-year-old 32-bit Windows programs on a 64-bit version of Windows today, fifty-fifty if their developers haven't updated them since 64-bit versions of Windows came along.

A developer that wants to provide a 64-chip version of their program has to exercise additional work. They have to make sure the existing code compiles and runs correctly as 64-bit software. They have to provide and support ii carve up versions of the program, as people running a 32-bit version of Windows can't use the 64-flake version.

And in many apps, people merely wouldn't notice a difference anyway. Allow's have the Windows desktop version of Evernote equally an example hither. Even if they provided a 64-flake version of Evernote, users likely wouldn't find a difference at all. The 32-bit program tin run just fine on a 64-bit version of Windows, and in that location'd be no noticeable advantages with a 64-bit version.

In brusk, if you have a choice, definitely catch the 64-bit version of your app. If yous don't take a choice, get the 32-bit version and don't worry about information technology.

Getting 64-bit Apps

How you get 64-bit apps when they're available differs based on the app. Sometimes, when you get to a download page for an app, the page volition detect whether you're using a 32-bit or 64-fleck version of Windows and automatically direct you to the correct installer. Apple iTunes works this way.

Other times, you lot'll download a single installation app that contains both the 32-bit and 64-flake versions of the app. When you launch the installer, it will detect at that bespeak whether you're using a 32-flake or 64-bit version of Windows and install those files. Photoshop for Windows works this way.

And still other times, y'all'll actually become a pick on the app's download page to download the version you want. Sometimes the version will say "64-bit," sometimes it will say "x64," and sometimes both. When you come across a choice like this, go ahead and download the 64-chip version.

In the finish, what's important isn't making sure yous're running 64-bit apps—it's making sure you lot're running apps that piece of work well for y'all. If there's a 64-fleck version of an app, past all means use it. If not, using the 32-fleck version is just fine. For most apps, you lot won't even notice the difference.