Windows desktop application: 64 bit vs 32 bit

Question

Our desktop applications used to be target on 32 bit.

Now Windows 7 is 64 bit by default.

Is there resouce tell us how to handle 32 bit and 64 bit.

In 64 bit environment, what we need to be careful.

If we have 32 bit desktop application, how can run it in 64 bit environment.

thx!

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JaneC

Answer 1

32-bit application is compatibility for 64-bit system, from below FAQ, you could get a simple expanation: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions and at MSDN, there is one detailed: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384249(VS.85).aspx 

Simply, please take care on the dependent resources your application use (Registry/File System/Memory and Interprocess Communication (IPC)). Please ensure they do not have any compatibility issue on 64-bit system. And any device driver on 64-bit system were designed as x64 platform. so please take care on these resources, your 32-bit application may not compatibility with them.

Sincerely,

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Bob Bao [MSFT]
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