Most Windows Vista users are just a few clicks away from getting their own Vista 64-bit version, the most secure operation system from Microsoft ever. It costs just a few dollars to order your very own Windows Vista 64 bit by Microsoft when you have a retail of Windows Vista 32-bit. In this article I will show you the difference between Vista 64-bit and 32-bit and find out if it is time for changeover.

The breakthrough of 64-bit Windows on the desktop is currently executed. A little over two years ago, Microsoft introduced 64-bit version of Windows XP and it has never been a greater proliferation. The main reasons are software and driver.

With Windows Vista, Microsoft made a new start: instead of the separated versions, Microsoft hangs up all Vista versions such as Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate and Vista 64-bit together in one DVD.

DVD will be shipped to you with the expensive Ultimate version and it will cost around $15. Microsoft has launched a website for that and everyone can visit this page and order Windows Vista 64-bit. You can order your own and almost free Windows Vista 64 bit here. The procurement of a suitable Windows Vista 64-bit version is no longer a problem.

Installation and resource consumption

The installation routine of Windows Vista 64-bit (x64) is not different. It takes the same steps and almost the same time like Vista 32-bit. You are ready to use your windows Vista 64-bit after about 72 minutes. After that all files are saved on your hard drive and you are ready to go.

After your Vista 64-bit is installed, you will notice that Vista 64 bit requires double of space in the memory (RAM) and hard drive. While Vista 32-bit proves 7.12 GB in the hard drive, it is 10.3 GB with Vista 64-bit. Also the memory usage by Vista 64-bit is 425 MB more than Windows Vista 32 bit with 580 MB memory usage. That means you need at least 2GB of RAM for running your Vista 64 bit.

More reliability, performance, and security with Windows Vista 64-bit Edition

There are barely visible differences when you are working with Windows Vista 64 bit. The first difference is surfing in internet. You can see that your Vista 64-bit is much faster than your internet surfing before in your whole life. But there are some plug-ins that are not working with Vista 64-bit but you will enjoy your internet surfing with Vista 64-bit. Few months ago Windows Vista was not compatible with the Flash Player. But Adobe has fixed the problem and Flash Player is working fine with Windows Vista x64. You can update it anytime at Adobe.com

While the interface of Windows Vista 64-bit and Vista 32-bit are virtually the same, Windows Vista 64-bit has some important innovations under the hood. For example a technology called –Core Patch Protection- that protects the core of the operation system against the third-party code. If an application does not have the digital signature from Microsoft, then you cannot use the application. It is very important for your security in internet because there are millions of applications that cause problems and change code of core in your operation system, without knowing about it, because they are running in background and you are not able to know them. Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit block all those third-party application, which you never wish to have on your computer. This feature works also against Root-Kits.

Microsoft provides in this way, that the core of Vista 64-bit could be touched with only certificated applications. Vista 64-bit accepts in default only drivers and applications with digital signature. If your driver does not have the signature then your Windows Vista 64 block it automatically. You can change that to manually if you like to. In both ways Microsoft Vista 64 bit makes more reliable and safer than Vista 32-bit.

Vista 64-bit supports more than 4 GB RAM

One of the main features of Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit is support for more memory (RAM). All 32-bit versions of Vista theoretically allow a maximum of 4 GB. In reality the limit is 3.25 GB.

Windows Vista 64-bit sets the bar much higher: Even the entry-level Home Basic version works with up to 8 GB of RAM, which is also, directed at home users “Home Premium” with 16 GB. Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate even can be operated with more than 128 GB. It is a nice feature for workstations.

Unfortunately is not possible to have more than 16GB RAM with current desktop boards and architecture, since there are only a few slots for memory modules.

The memory limit of 32-bit version of Vista is expected for most desktop applications and they currently do not have any problem.

The appreciable performance advantages of Vista 64-bit can be expected only with 64-bit software, drivers, and applications. There are still big software companies like Adobe who are still producing their applications like Adobe Photoshop, Acrobat, and etc in 32-bit extension. The market is sure that we will have more 64-bit application in the future.

Compatibility of software and drivers

Fortunately we are able to run almost 32-bit application with Vista 64-bit. The reason is an emulation layer by Vista 64-bit called WOW64 (Windows on Windows 64).

16-bit programs are not supported. This could cause problems in some cases, because some installers still are working with 16-bit applications and maybe you won´t able using some of your favorite software, which work only with 16-bit extension. In some cases the software would run but it cannot be installed on Vista 64-bit edition.

There are two different applications. They are either - core functionality of the operating system – or – noncore functionality of the operating system -. That means if you have applications like MacAfee, Norton, and etc. in 32-bit version, then they won’t work with Vista 64-bit edition, because those software run side by side in the core of operation system. You can install them but you cannot run those 32-bit applications.

If you have any favorite antivirus and firewall applications like Norton, MacAfee, ZoneAlarm, and etc, then you should look for 64-bit version of them, because 32-bit version won´t run on Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit.

Hardware is the most important thing for running Vista 64-bit on your computer. If you own an older computer then you should think twice about the upgrade to Vista 64-bit. The most important hardware is your CPU (Processor). Most new CPUs work with 64-bit extension and you can install Windows Vista 64-bit but if you own any Intel CPU older than 2 years then you should find it out if your processor can support 64-bit extension.

This is the only way to protect against unpleasant surprises.

Resume

Windows Vista 64-bit plays a greater role than XP and any other operation system. This is the availability of all versions in one DVD. Another factor is that both versions (Vista 64-bit and Vista 32-bit) release in the market at the same time. Drivers and software development are likely to experience a boost.

This is not enough for the early breakthrough on the desktop. There are many hardware manufacturers who still try to performance their 32-bit drivers on Windows XP level. Even many 64-bit drivers are less optimized - Speed losses are the result.

Only who especially operates performance thirsty applications, then he surely knows the benefits of Vista 64-bit. Other Windows users do not have an advantage with Vista 64-bit because Vista 32 bit superiors in the area of compatibility and performance.

Microsoft´s strategy in Vista 64-bit and 32-bit isn´t clears yet. Microsoft has decided for Windows Servers only in 64-bit version but Microsoft still didn´t decide for desktop if they should produce either both versions or only 64-bit operation system. We will see it in the future when Microsoft releases Windows 7.