Which version of Windows 7 to install?

32-bit or 64-bit: Which version of Windows 7 to install?

When you buy a Windows 7 package you will be presented with both 32-bit and 64-bit installation discs.

Having both the options in front of you , you would be having a question which version to install on your PC.

In this case this article would be the best to guide you to take a decision.

First let us know what is a 32 bit OS and what is a 64 bit OS.

The concept of this is to let you know how the CPU handles the information. When compared to a 32 bit system, the 64 bit system efficiently handles high amount of RAM that is upto 4 GB of RAM.

To find out if the computer we are using is hosting a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows XP

1) Click Start --> My Computer

2) Right-click on My Computer and click Properties.

3) If you do not see "x64 Edition" , then you are running 32-bit version of Windows XP.

If "x64 Edition" is listed under General, you are running 64-bit version of Windows XP.

As mentioned earlier a 64-bit processor can handle high RAM efficiently. But point to be noted is that all systems cannot run a 64-bit version of OS.

To run a 64-bit version of Windows, our computer must have a 64-bit-capable processor.

Below is the process to find out if your processor is 64-bit-capable or not

1) Click Start --> My Computer

2) Right-click on My Computer and click Properties.

3) If you see "x64 Edition" listed then your processor is 64-bit OS capable.

If you do not see "x64 Edition" listed, your processor might be capable of running a 64-bit version still.

To find out if your processor that is not 64- bit compatible can still host 64-bit OS download and run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor which is freely available from the windows 7 Upgrade Advisor web page.

If you want to move from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or vice versa, you'll need to back up your files and choose the Custom option during Windows 7 installation. Then, you'll need to restore your files and reinstall your programs.

Almost many programs that are designed for 32-bit version of Windows will work on the 64-bit version of Windows. Many antivirus programs does not support this feature.Device drivers that are designed for 32-bit version of Windows do not work on computers running 64-bit version of Windows. If we still try to install a device that has 32-bit drivers available, it will not work correctly on a 64-bit version of Windows.

If the program is specifically designed for the 64-bit version of Windows, it won't work on the 32-bit version of Windows.

Considering all the above factors now you should be in a position to decide which OS version you would like to install.

Which version of Windows 7 to install?

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