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Today, I’ll try to explain why you probably want the 64-bit version of Windows7 regardless of your current needs.

Which processor?

To get us started, you want a 64-bit processor with “VT support.” There’s no downside to getting a 64-bit processor. You can run them with 32-bit software and they aren’t expensive any more. The upside in capabilities that 64-bit CPUs provide far outweighs the slightly higher cost. This is a no-brainer folks.

Why 64-Bit OS?

There are 2 reasons you want a 64-bit OS. Accessing more RAM and moving data around faster. Access to more RAM may not be an issue for 90% of the users out there today, but in 3 years, it is likely you’ll want to access more RAM than what the 32-bit OS can. The RAM cutoff for 32-bit happens at 3.5GB-4GB of RAM.

If you do virtual machines, you want a 64-bit OS. There are exceptions, but if you are already using VMs, you wouldn’t be reading this anyway.

Why Not 64-bit OS?

Software incompatibilities and drivers. Out of these, access to drivers is the more important since Win7 allows you to run programs in Compatibility Mode. There are 11 choices from Win95, Win98, ME, NT, XP, Vista and all the different service paks for each of these. If you can’t get a program to run in those modes, there’s always a WinXP virtual machine – free download from Microsoft. Basically, software compatibility shouldn’t be a showstopper for anyone this time around. The difficulty to configure a particular program is minor, but I don’t think I could explain it to everyone. 90% of you will figure this out easily.

Drivers are a different issue. For me, all my equipment had Win7 drivers, including a Hauppauge TV tuner. Microsoft has a tool you can run that will tell you whether all your equipment has drivers or not. For me, there were a few drivers that it could only say post-install upgrade needed.

Your CPU isn’t 64-bit, then obviously you don’t want a 64-bit OS. What were you thinking? Chances are, your computer is 4 years old or more. Time for an upgrade?

Why 32-bit OS?

1. You only run 1 program at a time and it isn’t a game, anything from Adobe, or you need some old driver that doesn’t have a new version known to be compatible with Win7. Many Vista drivers are compatible, but don’t expect WinXP drivers to work.
2. You know that you will never need more than 4GB of RAM for the entire OS and all programs.

Why Not 32-bit OS?

1. Gamer? The hottest, new games are designed for 64-bit and lots of RAM (6GB+)
2. You want to be ready for the next 8 years worth of programs.

Win7 is an OS like WinXP was. You’ll use it for many, many years and mostly be happy.

Did I forget something important for why you would want 64-bit or 32-bit?

In the beginning, people didn’t really like WinXP, if you recall. Windows7 has been reviewed very favorably and it is nice enough for a Linux guy like me to write a number of favorable articles about it. There are enough good things in Win7 that I’m a convert from both Vista and WinXP. OTOH, I didn’t pay for it and wouldn’t.

If you are happy with WinXP, I can’t recommend you upgrade at this point unless it is free or there’s a feature that you need/want. Win7 media center is nice.