Upgrading from Vista 32 bit to 64 bit

I have upgraded by Vista OS from 32 bit to 64 bit. Can someone please help
me with a couple of questions here......I am aware that 64 bit will allow me
more memory usage, but what other advantages are there ? Will it run
noticeably faster ? Also, I have tow program files now ...Program Files, and
Program Files (x86). What I would like to know is if I can delete the old
"program files" folder. Thank you for your help.

GJB wrote:

> I have upgraded by Vista OS from 32 bit to 64 bit. Can someone please
> help me with a couple of questions here......I am aware that 64 bit will
> allow me
> more memory usage, but what other advantages are there ? Will it run
> noticeably faster ? Also, I have tow program files now ...Program Files,
> and
> Program Files (x86). What I would like to know is if I can delete the old
> "program files" folder. Thank you for your help.

The system will process things faster if you have more memory. Programs that
are written for a 64-bit operating system will be more efficient. You have
two Program Files folders because 32-bit applications will still run on
Vista 64. This is A Good Thing because not all applications you want to use
are 64-bit. So no, don't delete the Program Files folder.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...ns/64-bit.aspx

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

"GJB" <> wrote in message
news:5178D524-2A4E-4378-870D-...
>I have upgraded by Vista OS from 32 bit to 64 bit.

I'm not sure why you are asking these questions *after* you upgraded.

> Can someone please help
> me with a couple of questions here......I am aware that 64 bit will allow
> me
> more memory usage, but what other advantages are there ?

It's not an advantage if you don't need it and will never use it.

So you need to

> Will it run
> noticeably faster ?

Try it.

> Also, I have tow program files now ...Program Files, and
> Program Files (x86). What I would like to know is if I can delete the old
> "program files" folder. Thank you for your help.

No, it's there for compatibility.

HTH
-pk

On Fri, 8 May 2009 12:57:02 -0700, GJB <>
wrote:

> I have upgraded by Vista OS from 32 bit to 64 bit.


Exactly how did you do this? You can clean install the 64-bit version,
and replace the 32-bit version with it, but it's not possible to
*upgrade* from 32-bit to 64-bit.


> Can someone please help
> me with a couple of questions here......I am aware that 64 bit will allow me
> more memory usage,


True, but whether that's an advantage to you depends on what apps you
run. For many people, the amount of RAM that the 32-bit version can
use is adequate.



> but what other advantages are there ?


Forgive me for putting it this way, but it seems very strange to ask
this question *after* you install it, rather than before.


> Will it run
> noticeably faster ?



Maybe, maybe not. Here's my standard reply on this subject, cut and
pasted below:

The advantage of running a 64-bit version of Windows basically exists
only if you also run 64-bit applications under it. Bear in mind that
there are very few such applications available yet. If you are
presently running 32-bit Windows, you don't have any 64-bit
applications, so to achieve any advantage, you not only have to
replace Windows, but also your applications, *if* (and that's a big
"if") 64-bit versions exist.

Also note that you will need 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.
Those drivers may not all be available, especially if some of your
hardware is a few years old. So it's possible that you might also have
to replace things like your printer, scanner, etc.

So the answer to your question is that it may not be a great idea
right now. That will undoubtedly change in the near future, but for
now, 64-bit Windows mostly means some extra trouble and expense for
little or no benefit.

On the other hand, installing 64-bit Windows instead of 32-bit Windows
makes you able to buy 64-bit software as it becomes available, instead
of the older 32-bit versions. That means that installing 64-bit
Windows--even though it may do very little for you at present--puts
you into a better position for the future.

One additional point: the 64-bit version lets you use more than the
approximately 3.1GB of RAM that the 32-bit version can use. Very few
people need or can make effective use of more than 3.1GB, but if you
are one of them, that's something else to consider.



> Also, I have tow program files now ...Program Files, and
> Program Files (x86). What I would like to know is if I can delete the old
> "program files" folder.


No.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

On Fri, 8 May 2009 12:57:02 -0700, GJB wrote:

> I have upgraded by Vista OS from 32 bit to 64 bit. Can someone please help
> me with a couple of questions here......I am aware that 64 bit will allow me
> more memory usage, but what other advantages are there ? Will it run
> noticeably faster ? Also, I have tow program files now ...Program Files, and
> Program Files (x86). What I would like to know is if I can delete the old
> "program files" folder. Thank you for your help.

Do *not* delete the /new/ "Program Files" folder, and do *not* delete the
/old/ "Program Files (x86)" folder.

The one with x86 is where Vista installs 32-bit software, and the one
without x86 is where Vista installs 64-bit software. That's why (as a
partial joke) I reversed the old and new designations above.

Anyway, both folders are needed (I think it's a PITA, but that's just me -
and maybe millions of others).

--
Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom

How did you Upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit Vista. It cannot be done. You need to
install it as a clean install

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"GJB" <> wrote in message
news:5178D524-2A4E-4378-870D-...
>I have upgraded by Vista OS from 32 bit to 64 bit. Can someone please help
> me with a couple of questions here......I am aware that 64 bit will allow me
> more memory usage, but what other advantages are there ? Will it run
> noticeably faster ? Also, I have tow program files now ...Program Files, and
> Program Files (x86). What I would like to know is if I can delete the old
> "program files" folder. Thank you for your help.

Thanks to all for your posts...good advice and much appreciated.

When I said "upgrade"....I meant doing a clean install...sorry for the
confusion.

Thanks again !

GJB

"Peter Foldes" wrote:

> How did you Upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit Vista. It cannot be done. You need to
> install it as a clean install
>
> --
> Peter
>
> Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
> Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
>
> "GJB" <> wrote in message
> news:5178D524-2A4E-4378-870D-...
> >I have upgraded by Vista OS from 32 bit to 64 bit. Can someone please help
> > me with a couple of questions here......I am aware that 64 bit will allow me
> > more memory usage, but what other advantages are there ? Will it run
> > noticeably faster ? Also, I have tow program files now ...Program Files, and
> > Program Files (x86). What I would like to know is if I can delete the old
> > "program files" folder. Thank you for your help.
>
>