Download Windows 7 64 Bit Deutsch

Microsoft still offers both 32-fleck and 64-bit versions of Windows x. But, whether you're installing Windows 10 or Windows 7, you should most certainly skip the 32-chip version and get the 64-bit version instead.

The 64-flake version of Windows is too known every bit the "x64" version of Windows, while the 32-bit version is also known as the "x86" version.

Your PC is Almost Certainly 64-fleck

64-bit PCs have been mainstream for a long fourth dimension. Intel's first big 64-bit consumer CPU was the Core 2 Duo, which was released in 2006. AMD released the Athlon 64 in 2003. If you have a PC you purchased or built in the terminal decade, information technology's almost certainly a 64-bit PC.

In that location are some exceptions, of course. Early versions of the very underpowered Intel Atom CPU line were only 32-bit CPUs. Simply those were and then tiresome when they were released that it'south very unlikely many people are still using those discount netbooks and tablets today.

Computers with 64-bit CPUs can run 32-bit operating systems, but at that place'due south really no reason for them to exercise then anymore. Even on a 64-bit operating organisation, you tin however run 32-bit applications only fine.

Why Yous Should Install the 64-chip Edition

32-bit versions of Windows are limited to iv GB of RAM, which is a modest amount these days when even budget PCs these days usually accept viii GB or more. If you lot want to actually apply more than than 4 GB of RAM—and you probably do—you'll demand a 64-bit version of Windows.

RELATED: How To Upgrade Or Replace Your PC'due south RAM

In addition, 32-bit programs (fifty-fifty if they're running on a 64-chip Windows operating system) can only access ii GB of RAM each. Modern demanding games and professional tools can hands employ more than than 2 GB of RAM.

Given that limitation, it's no surprise that many applications now crave a 64-bit operating system. For example, if you lot want to play the PC version of Grand Theft Motorcar V and many other PC games released in the terminal few years, you'll need a 64-chip version of Windows. ZBrush, a 3D modelling tool, discontinued its 32-chip version. Even NVIDIA has stopped working on its 32-bit graphics drivers, and so yous'll need a 64-scrap operating organisation to become new graphics drivers for NVIDIA hardware.

64-bit versions also have a number of useful security features that 32-bit versions of Windows but don't. For example, an expanded address space allows Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) to better protect against attacks on programs. Drivers must exist signed unless they're installed in a special kick style, Kernel Patch Protection prevents applications from patching the Windows kernel in retention on 64-chip versions of Windows, and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) has more restrictive settings on the 64-scrap edition.

Why Would Yous Want 32-chip Windows?

There are some valid reasons why you might want to run a 32-bit version of Windows. If y'all're using a very onetime calculator with a 32-bit processor, you don't take a pick. Some manufacturers may only offer 32-bit drivers for peculiarly ancient hardware devices, and you'd need a 32-bit version of Windows to run those.

The 32-scrap version of Windows as well allows you to run xvi-scrap software written for Windows three.1, which is a characteristic not constitute in 64-chip Windows. Nonetheless, you can ever run xvi-bit software in DOSBox.

Some older programs may too just run on 32-bit versions of Windows if they used unsafe techniques, such as kernel patching, that have now been blocked on 64-bit versions of Windows for security reasons.

32-fleck versions of Windows should only be used for legacy compatibility purposes. That's all a 32-fleck operating system is actually necessary for: old CPUs, ancient hardware devices, Windows 3.1 applications, and other applications that demand updating to run on a modern version of Windows.

How to Check Whether You're Using 64-chip or 32-chip Windows

If you're non certain whether your figurer has a 64-bit version of Windows—or even a 64-bit CPU—yous can cheque from within Windows.

On Windows 10, head to Settings > Arrangement > About. Expect to the right of the "System blazon" entry. If you see "64-scrap operating system, x64-based processor," your computer is running a 64-bit operating system. If you see "32-bit operating organization, x64-based processor," your computer is running a 32-bit operating organization but is capable of running a 64-bit operating system.

RELATED: How Practice I Know if I'm Running 32-flake or 64-scrap Windows?

On Windows seven, head to Control Panel > Organization and Security > System. Expect at "System blazon" to see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-fleck operating system. Windows 7'due south Command Console doesn't show whether your CPU is 64-bit capable, so you'll want to perform an online search for the processor name—displayed on the System screen—to find out whether it'due south a 64-fleck CPU if you're currently running 32-bit Windows.

How to Upgrade to 64-bit Windows

If you lot're using a 32-bit version of Windows on a 64-bit capable processor, there's expert and bad news. The skillful news is that you can upgrade to a 64-fleck operating organisation for free. Your electric current Windows license can exist used to install either a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows. The bad news is that y'all'll need to reinstall your Windows operating system to make the change.

RELATED: How to Switch From 32-bit Windows 10 to 64-bit Windows 10

On Windows 10, you can upgrade to 64-scrap past getting 64-scrap Windows installation media and performing a clean install. On Windows 7, the procedure is similar—simply download 64-bit Windows installation media from Microsoft.

Microsoft Should Brand 32-bit Windows Harder to Notice

We think Microsoft should make the 32-bit version of Windows harder to admission. Some people might need it, but average Windows users shouldn't exist able to accidentally install a version of Windows 10 (or fifty-fifty Windows 7) that has so many limitations with mod hardware and software.

Backblaze, for example, has noted that many of its customers who apply a 32-bit version of Windows seem to have installed information technology accidentally without realizing the downsides. So, when installing Windows in the future, be sure to get for the 64-bit version.

Image Credit: Nor Gal/Shutterstock.com.