Why are all Microsoft Vista Home Premium 64-Bit OEM?

JamesU2005 · 12 Apr 2007 at 21:45

Just wondered why all Microsoft Vista Home Premium 64-Bit are OEM?

Can you not buy a retail 64-Bit version?

singularity · 12 Apr 2007 at 21:47

hello, you get the 32bit then send of for the 64bit

asbestos suit on

|Ric| · 12 Apr 2007 at 21:50

NOTE: 64-Bit Edition DVD not included. Info on obtaining 64-Bit edition is included in this package, only 32-Bit edition DVD is supplied in the box.

JamesU2005 · 12 Apr 2007 at 21:53

But why?

|Ric| · 12 Apr 2007 at 22:01

Not sure anyone knows, so Microsoft can make some more money off you?

|Ric| · 12 Apr 2007 at 22:04

As Microsoft says:

The 64-bit version of Windows Vista is not for everyone

gareth170 · 12 Apr 2007 at 22:07

MS thinks that more people would use 32bit then 64bit... because nearly all the softwares are 32bit

PinkPig · 12 Apr 2007 at 22:17

Microsoft have chosen not to include the 64-bit disk in the retail package (below Ultimate), because they imagine that many or most people upgrading old systems (which is the greatest number of people who buy retail Windows) will use the 32-bit version. Instead they let you buy a disk for a small (ish) fee.

Having seperate 32-bit and 64-bit retail editions would suggest that they were licensed seperately - most people would prefer to be free to choose or swap between them (even if it means paying a little for the extra disk, and obviously not for OEM copies) as they are now rather than having to buy one or the other!

JamesU2005 · 12 Apr 2007 at 22:35

Can the 64 bit version run 32 bit software though?

Bailey_sufc · 12 Apr 2007 at 22:37

JamesU2005 said:
Can the 64 bit version run 32 bit software though?

yes

gareth170 · 12 Apr 2007 at 22:42

JamesU2005 said:
Can the 64 bit version run 32 bit software though?

yes, but not all

modo77 · 13 Apr 2007 at 06:18

gareth170 said:
yes, but not all

I've yet to find any which doesn't run

cyclopopcicle · 13 Apr 2007 at 07:56

i thought vista was going to be shipped with all versions on one disk?
why did they change from this?

Priapus · 13 Apr 2007 at 08:05

cyclopopcicle said:
i thought vista was going to be shipped with all versions on one disk?
why did they change from this?

Some DVD's from Microsoft are shipped with all Vista versions. However, only the 32Bit versions though. Reason? No one knows 100% why.

Slogan · 13 Apr 2007 at 08:21

cyclopopcicle said:
i thought vista was going to be shipped with all versions on one disk?
why did they change from this?

Probably because it would be a fairground for potential hackers.

Priapus · 13 Apr 2007 at 09:42

Slogan said:
Probably because it would be a fairground for potential hackers.

It is a fairground for potential hackers, which is why I am very surprised Microsoft decided to load all their Versions of Vista to one DVD, but the 64Bit Version.

gareth170 · 13 Apr 2007 at 13:36

modo77 said:
I've yet to find any which doesn't run

ive got some 16bit programs that will never run on 64bit OS's

NathanE · 13 Apr 2007 at 13:53

gareth170 said:
ive got some 16bit programs that will never run on 64bit OS's

That's because it doesn't provide a compatibility layer for 16-bit software like it does for 32-bit.

Use Virtual PC 2007 and you'll be able to run those very old apps again.

gareth170 · 13 Apr 2007 at 14:09

NathanE said:
That's because it doesn't provide a compatibility layer for 16-bit software like it does for 32-bit.

Use Virtual PC 2007 and you'll be able to run those very old apps again.

i know

... i was just telling him not "all" programs will work under 64bit OS@s

ShakenNstirred · 13 Apr 2007 at 14:24

modo77 said:
I've yet to find any which doesn't run

ive had afew programs that dont run on 64bit