32 bit or 64 bit

[mally66]

I have an HP m7170n Media Desktop.  Works awesome, no problems what so ever.  I am running Windows Xp.  I would like to know how to find out if I can upgrade to windows 7 64-bit, or if I must stay with Window 7 32 bit?  How would I tell if the computer supports 64 bit operating system?

thanks in advance.

[Big_Dave · Accepted solution]

Run this utility:   Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.  You'll see two tabs when the analysis is complete.  Look at both the 32 bit and 64 bit tabs. Your PC specifies a physical memory maximum of 4 GB. This is the limit for a 32 bit operating system and while a 64 bit OS would run with 4 GB it would be best to have at least  6 GB with applications that are designed for 64 bit operating systems.

Your PC was certified by HP for 64 bit VISTA. 64 bit Windows 7 should also be OK.

[Mumbodog]

I am running W7 64bit with 4 GB with no need for more ram, I guess if you run video editing or 3D CAD software, you might need more.

If your processor does not support 64bit, then you cannot install it.

Run the Advisor as Big_Dave suggested, it will also report any other potential issues with W7

[michaelak]

I could not find another way to add these questions, so am doing it this way, also tried EM method as contact, but the drop down box didn't include my OS of "Win 7 Home Premium", and so my questions couldn't be answered that way.

    Why do I want Internet Explorer (32) & Internet Explorer (64),, both,,on my laptop? Is any harm caused by opening one of each in the same session? Also, could find no means of uninstalling either one, nor were either listed in that "new program" where you can shut them down rather than delete? I could find no choices in that matter, should the need ever arise.

[Hanspuppa]

---

michaelak wrote: I could not find another way to add these questions, so am doing it this way, also tried EM method as contact, but the drop down box didn't include my OS of "Win 7 Home Premium", and so my questions couldn't be answered that way. Why do I want Internet Explorer (32) & Internet Explorer (64),, both,,on my laptop? Is any harm caused by opening one of each in the same session? Also, could find no means of uninstalling either one, nor were either listed in that "new program" where you can shut them down rather than delete? I could find no choices in that matter, should the need ever arise.

---

Hello michaelak, By default, Windows 7 x64 installs both versions of Interner Explorer during the install process.

There are users that may want both versions available for them. I once used both version for different reasons, mostly because of the different web sites that I visited did not support Internet Explorer X64 because of Adobe Flash Player.

You can make Internet Explorer unavailable but it's not worth the trouble. Using either or both will not cause any problems.

If you make Internet Explorer unavailable, it would make both versions unavailable, and you would need to install another browser.

If you are using a version x64 of your operating system, and you update to Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer x86 will no longer be available. You should be aware that Adobe has not released  Adobe Flash Player for x64 as yet. They have relaeased a "Preview" version which seems to work pretty well, but not perfectly just yet.

[old_geekster]

Mally, welcome to the forum.

I am running Win 7 Pro with 2GB of memory and an AMD Athlon 2.4GHz. It runs so well that I had even forgotten that 3GB is supposed to be the sweet spot. I am a high-end gamer, so I need good performance.

[rda6688]

upgrade windowas 32bit yo 64 bit