32-bit Software Compatibility in Windows XP 64-bit?

Question

hey guys watsup

im currently running Windows XP in 32-bit
i was wondering if, i upgraded to the 64-bit version of Windows XP
will i still be able to run all my 32-bit softwares like Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere Pro etc
or will i have to get the 64-bit versions of all these softwares?
i know that the 64-bit versions will work alot better, but lets say if i dont get the 64-bit versions of the softwares, will i still be able to run them without any problems?

i also plan on doing some HighDefinition video editing so will upgrading be to my benefit?
it would be great if you can give me your personal experiences
Thanx :)

Answer 1

Windows XP 64-bit was a failure. Avoid it.



Go for Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Most 32-bit software will work without any action from you. However, if some do not work, you can set it to run in Compatibility Mode by right-clicking on the program's shortcut and selecting the "Compatibility" tab. Check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:". In the drop down box, select Windows XP SP3 or SP2.



For the guy that says only Windows 7 Pro will work, you are wrong. All Windows 7 versions have compatibility mode. Windows 7 Pro though, has a feature called Windows XP Mode, which is a virtual environment. Windows XP Mode runs in a virtual environment that emulates a computer with the following specs:



* Intel Pentium II (32-bit) processor (but virtualizes the host processor on Windows versions) with an Intel 440BX chipset.

* Standard SVGA VESA graphics card (S3 Trio 32 PCI with 4 MB video RAM, adjustable in later versions up to 16 MB by manually editing a virtual machine's settings file).

* System BIOS from American Megatrends (AMI).

* Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 ISA PnP. (When Vista is installed as both the host (main) and guest (virtual) operating systems, settings are synchronized with the host and audio configuration is not required.)

* DEC 21041 (DEC 21140 in newer versions) Ethernet network card.

* Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and earlier do not have the ability to redirect USB devices to the guest machine, although devices connected to the host OS via USB can be used as normal by Virtual PC.

* Programs using undocumented features of hardware, exotic timings, or unsupported opcodes may not work.



These specs however can only run some software. For the average home user, this is useless. Windows XP Mode is made for business users and apps. It is NOT made for home users and their applications and games.

Answer 2

From experience, I'd say the best answer is NO, you won't be able to run your 32-bit applications.



When I upgraded to Vista, I went straight for 64-bit version of Vista. Then I learned the hard way that half the software I owned wouldn't run on 64-bit vista, after upgrading from Windows XP 32-bit. Well, every application I owned WOULD work, but...



I had to either upgrade the version or replace it with a new version. And of course, every upgrade or new software package was really expensive.



So I had to down-grade to the 32-bit version of Vista to get all my software to work. That was Vista Home Premium 64-bit, and then back down to 32-bit.



But then the other side of the story is...



Since I went back to school, I qualified for the student discount from Microsoft. So I got a decent deal on Windows 7. I had a choice between 32-bit or 64-bit. I decided to go straight for 64-bit. Yeah, I knew I had some 32-bit software that wouldn't work on 64-bit Vista. But the hardware is very up to date (very) and it seems silly to run a 32-bit OS. So I decided to just REPLACE any older software that wouldn't play nice with a 64-bit OS.



But after I upgraded to Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, I got a nice surprise. All of my 32-bit software applications would install AND RUN fine on Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. The only catch is, I had to set some of them to run in a compatibility mode (comes with windows 7 PRO only) so that the OS would appear as "Windows XP SP3".



So based on those two experiences with 64-bit software, I'd say if you want to go 64-bit, you'd better go straight to Windows 7 Pro. That way, it's more likely that your older software will work.



Note I can't guarantee all your 32-bit software will work on Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. However, it is much more likely to run on Windows 7 Pro 64-bit than it is to run on Windows XP 64-bit.



If your hardware can handle it, go straight for Windows 7 Pro.



Oh and if you are doing high definition video editing, you're probably someone who would benefit from switching from 32-bit to 64-bit. At least then, you'd be able to access more RAM, which would be helpful.

Answer 3

I have 64x software and you can use 32x software and 64x software in 64x windows, although there is a very small amouunt of 64x software out there, a 64x windows will not improve the way the 32x software runs. Chances are when you upgrade windows will delete your programs and files. Just leave it at 32x for now.



You need a 64x processor to use the 64x windows.

Answer 4

32-Bit software is designed to run in 32-Bit environments. And how would they run better? I've yet to see how the 64 Bit versions are "better".

Answer 5

check for 64 bit patches

that stuff you might need a new license

drivers for 64 bit will be your biggest nightmare

XP 64 bit is pretty buggy

if someone pointed a gun to my head for 64 bit systems then i would do win7

Answer 6

32bit software will not run on a 64bit platform.