Does Windows 7 choose 64-bit or 32-bit?

After a period of trial, I finally changed the operating system from Win7 64bit back to the Win7 32bit. Tell me about my mental journey.

1) Memory

64bit Win7 can make full use of all 4GB of memory, no longer like Win7 32bit to show that the system installed memory 4GB, which 3.5GB is available. (Vista is worse, showing only 3.5GB of RAM). (Hey, happy, no waste of memory)

2) Compatibility

Win7 under the various hardware device driver seemingly not too big problem, graphics cards, network cards and other key equipment are also working properly (good, in the heart continue to music). However, there are not many 64bit applications, only Google Pinyin input method 64bit, Microsoft's own anti-virus software MSE and WinRAR have 64bit version (a little depressed). Even Microsoft's own office and Live Messenger are 32bit. (Note: If not specifically noted, how to determine whether an application is 32-bit or 64-bit?) To see if the application is installed under the program Files (x86) directory, which is 32bit. Fortunately, most of the 32-bit applications can be properly installed under Win7 64-bit, including World of Warcraft! (Continue Xiao Le)

However, several minor compatibility issues were identified. Open IE, the default pin on the taskbar IE8 is 32-bit! Only IE (64-bit) in the selection menu is the 64-bit version of IE, but this 64-bit version of IE does not support flash plug-ins. (OK, with 32bit IE also become AH)

Google Toolbar is not compatible, non-stop login log out, completely useless. (a bit of a big depression)

3) Performance

But then found my system (E6600 Core Duo CPU,4GB DDR2 memory) slow, specific performance in the hard drive crazy jump, often did not do anything, also did not open what application, but the hard drive is crazy jump, for the mouse response speed can also obviously feel slow. (very uncomfortable, Big bad) Windows7 's scoring system doesn't look slow, using Windows's own performance detection check, CPU occupancy, memory usage is very low (physical memory enough will not cause memory frequent exchange paging). But use Word and other applications when the hard drive crazy jump, slow! (Endure for a few days after extremely unpleasant)

Conclusion: Because 32-bit applications are not optimized for 64-bit operating systems, running 32-bit applications under a 64-bit operating system is slower than a 32-bit operating system! Before the mainstream apps are upgraded to a 64-bit version, advise you not to use a 64-bit operating system for psychological pleasure.

People are actually very cheap, good scars forget the pain. That year Win95 is a 32-bit operating system, but also backward-compatible 16-bit applications, in 96, I use 16-bit Office 4.0 in the Win95, often encounter blue screen crash, a lot of painful back. Now it's time to toss 64-bit and 32-bit questions. I hope my lesson can make the people less take a detour.