Windows – What benefits are there to running a 64-bit Operating System

64-bitwindowswindows 7

I would like to hear community opinions on reasons to switch, to utilise, or when one should consider a x64 platform. Plus are there any additional benefits of running 64-bit Windows 7? over 64-bit Pre-Win7 OS's?

Best Answer

There are security benefits when running a 64 bit version of Windows. Basically Microsoft was able to restart with more of a clean slate and implement some extra safe guards. It is partially enabled by improved hardware support in the 64 bit CPU.


Here is a quick list of differences:

  • Support for hardware based DEP.
  • PatchGuard to prevent drivers or rootkits from patching the kernel.
  • Signed drivers.
  • Code integrity checksums. Binaries are checked before loading.
  • Removal of the 16 bit subsystem (reducing attack surface).


Jeff Jones has a two articles on the changes: part1, part2. Wikipedia has some information and there is this KB article (from Doubt).

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