why do some programs ask wether your Windows is 64bit or 32bit before downloading it, but some other programs doesn’t ask you?
In: Technology
Some programs have a 32 bit version and a 64 bit one, others only have one, usually the 32 bit one, but not always.
While they could make the installer select the version automatically, it would require downloading a file twice the size, however some programs also do that anyways
They’re programmed for different systems and if it doesn’t ask you it’s either strictly 32bit or strictly 64bit so no option really.
Windows 64-bit can run 32-bit programs.
If your app is just a 32-bit app you don’t have to ask what OS people are using you just give it to them and it will run fine.
If you make your app in two versions, on 32-bit and one 64-bit, than the 32-bit version of your program will still run on a 64-bit Windows OS and the 64-bit version will only run on 64-bit windows.
Why then do some make a 64-bit version in the first place if 32-bit will run just fine?
Sometimes a 64-bit program can take advantage of the benefits that 64-bit OS brings with it (access to more RAM) and it makes sense to create a version of your program that will do so and you want your users to use that version if they can because it will be better in some way.
Fro many programs there are little to no benefits in being a 64 bit program and only the downside of not being able to run on a32-bit OS. So you only produce one 32-bit version.
Even Microsoft themselves, who makes Windows and who have offered a 64-bit version of their Office suit of program for a decade now, have until not to long ago encouraged users to run the 32-bit version of office on their 64-bit version of Windows. The 64-bit version was not compatible to many older plugins and third party programs that worked with office and offered few benefits.
Another unrelated reason to not ask if you want the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the installer download may simply be that the website or the installer itself detects what OS you have and gives you the appropriate version with the other options being hidden or not as prominently displayed behind some link or advanced menu.
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