I know similar questions have been asked before across several sites, but the answers at least to me have been confusing and conflicting.
My understanding has always been that 64-bit Windows will create and use GPT disks just fine, but will not boot from them without a UEFI BIOS. Also my understanding WAS that 32-bit Windows could not use GPT at all and so is always restricted to 2.2TB disks, which was another reason to move to 64-bit on top of the 4GB memory limit.
But I have now read that this isn't correct: 32-bit Windows will create and use GPT disks just as 64-bit does. The only resriction is that you can't boot 32-bit Windows even if you DO have a UEFI BIOS? I don't think much of the literature has explained this well.
There are several tools floating around for creating virtual disks or 2.2+.8GB partition schemes and such for 32-bit systems. Why when it seems you can use GPT in 32-bit Windows anyway.
It also seems that people blame MS for lagging behind with respect to all of this: but it seems the issue is with BIOS manufactures not supporting UEFI rather than MS not supporting GPT…
Is my new understanding now correct?
Best Answer
You've got quite a few different technologies commingled there. I'll try to set out a few facts here:
Implications of the aforementioned:
Side note: There are a lot of minor improvements in switching to a 64-bit system. If you have the option always go 64-bit. There's really no excuse for doing otherwise, assuming you have any choice.