Updated: August 2, 2020 (June 4, 2007)

End of 32-Bit Windows Servers in Sight

Michael analyzed and wrote about Microsoft's operating systems, including the Windows client OS, as well as compliance and governance. Michael... more

The last 32-bit release of Windows Server will be Windows Server 2008, formerly code-named Longhorn and due in late 2007. Successor editions of the Windows Server OS and derivatives such as Windows Compute Cluster and Storage Server will be 64-bit only. The move reflects the fact that most computers are now sold with a 64-bit processor, though the lack of 64-bit device drivers means most still run a 32-bit edition of Windows. However, Microsoft has not clarified the future of 32-bit processor support for the Windows client or of the Itanium 64-bit architecture on the server.

(For an overview of the roadmap for Windows Server and several derivative products, see the illustration “Windows Server Roadmap“.)

Beginning of the End for 32-Bits

Bill Laing, the general manager of the Windows Server division, used his keynote address at the May 2007 Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) to announce the 64-bit-only Windows Server roadmap. Previously, Microsoft had announced that future versions of most server products, such as SQL Server and Exchange, would be available only for 64-bit processors. Now Windows Server appears set to become 64-bit only.

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