Bye-bye, 32-bit. 64-bit is here to stay (Server only?)

Published 17 May 7 8:29 PM | Charlie Russel

As reported here, Windows Server 2008 is the last 32-bit version of Windows. The next version, whenever that arrives, will be 64-bit only. So for all you lazy applications and hardware developers who can't be bothered to write 64-bit software or drivers, the end is in sight. Get off your duffs and get with the program.

There will be whinging and crying and moaning. There was when Windows 9x got axed (though Windows Me sure helped make the demise of 9x less painful, since it was so awful!) But the time has come, folks. And frankly, as someone who has been running 64-bit Windows for over two years now, I'm more than ready. I hope you are.

Update: It appears this is true for Server (and no surprise there at all, but that MS is not yet willing to confirm this for the client. Sigh. See the Vista Team Blog.  Personally, I think they'll be dropping the 32-bit client by then as well, but we'll see.

 

Charlie.

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Comments

# Dana Epp said on May 18, 2007 2:22 AM:

Dude, the NEXT version of Windows Server won't be out till something like 2012. Lots of time for hardware vendors to get it right. And get off your 'leeist perch and remember that until more people actually BUY 64bit OSs, its a poor investment to target a CPU that few people are running :P

# Charlie Russel said on June 13, 2007 6:46 PM:

Sorry, Dana - don't agree. First, next version of Server is 2008, and the one after that is likely to be the R2 version of same, 2 years or so post.

Second, no one in their right mind would buy a 32-bit only server today. Heck, it's virtually impossible to do so - all server class hardware is 64-bit these days. So targeting a 64-bit OS isn't hard and isn't without benefit. Remember, the people you WIN to your side when you support native 64-bit are the people who have the most influence on what products get bought later - the early adopters. The influencers. So, get with the program - port your (excellent) code to 64-bit.

Remember, something like 2% or so of people who go to MickyDs buy a salad or other non-meat dish. But when 3 or more people go out to eat, it only takes one veto to move that whole meal to another establishment. Yes, the non-meat eater is a small percentage. But they have influence far beyond their putative numbers. They have veto power.