— -- Question: I'm preparing to buy a new computer, but most of the ones I see run 64-bit Windows 7. I've been using 32-bit. Will my programs still be compatible? Answer: The short answer is yes.

When it comes to operating systems, the distinction between 32-bit and 64-bit versions plays a significant role in how your ...

Every few years, we encounter a massive change in computing standards, like when televisions went from black and white to color, or when serial and parallel ports were replaced with USB. These days, ...

Capable of running everything from Linux to OS X, Oracle's VirtualBox makes it possible to work on multiple operating systems at the same time. For instance, if you'd like to run Windows XP on your ...

If you have bought a PC in recent years, in all probabilities you have a 64-bit version of Windows 11/10. Unlike 32-bit (x86) Windows installation that permitted the installation of only 32-bit ...

What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems? The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s processor or CPU, handles information. The 64-bit version of ...

For most would-be Windows 7 users, a 64-bit version of Windows 7 is the right move. But if you don’t have sufficient RAM (at least 4GB), or you rely on devices that don’t have supporting 64-bit ...

See if your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, or XP install is 32-bit or 64-bit Not sure if your installed version of Windows is ...

If you installed a 64-bit version of the Microsoft Windows operating system on computers in your office, you can check if your important programs are designed for 64-bit operating systems. Microsoft ...

Ask Ars was one of the first features of the newly born Ars Technica back in 1998. And now, as then, it's all about your questions and our community's answers. Each week, we'll dig into our bag of ...