Updated: July 9, 2020 (September 5, 2005)

64-Bit Products

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration and content management. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s technology... more

Windows and Microsoft server products will support two 64-bit processor architectures. Support for 64-bit processors benefits memory-intensive applications, such as online analytical processing (OLAP) systems, and compute-intensive workstation applications (e.g., computer-aided design). However, to gain the full benefits, companies also need to be running 64-bit versions of their applications.

Processor architectures to be supported in Windows include the following:

x64. This architecture was introduced in the AMD64 Athlon and Opteron 64-bit processor families and has been adopted by Intel for its Extended Memory 64 (EM64T) processors. The x64 architecture is designed to support large memories and compute-intensive 64-bit applications, while also performing acceptably on 32-bit code and on “just-in-time” compiled code, such as that used in .NET Framework applications. Microsoft released Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 editions that support x64 in Apr. 2005. The next major versions of some server products, including SQL Server, Exchange, and BizTalk Server, will also support x64.

Atlas Members have full access

Get access to this and thousands of other unbiased analyses, roadmaps, decision kits, infographics, reference guides, and more, all included with membership. Comprehensive access to the most in-depth and unbiased expertise for Microsoft enterprise decision-making is waiting.

Membership Options

Already have an account? Login Now