Will Windows Home Server v2.0 be 64-bit Only?

By on June 15, 2007 in Hardware, Windows Home Server

Okay, I know v1 isn’t even out the door yet, but if you’re thinking of purchasing new hardware to run Windows Home Server on, then it’s worth thinking this through.

All of the current Windows client (i.e. Vista and XP) and Server (2003, 2008 etc) releases support 32 bit processors, and over the past few years Microsoft have been gradually offering 64-bit processor compatible versions of their operating systems.

Microsoft have gone on the record to say that Windows Server 2008 will be the last 32-bit server operating system, which means, if the WHS team decide to align to this policy, the next version of WHS we see (in x years time) may well be for 64-bit processors only.

Interestingly, the new Windows Home Server RC – Getting Started Guide that yiu downloaded with the beta also offeres a pretty big hint along these lines in the Hardware Requirements section.

“Windows Home Server includes a 32-bit operating system, which runs on 32-bit and 64-bit Intel EM64T and AMD x64 architectures. Future versions of Windows Home Server may support 64-bit processors only, so it is recommended that you use a 64-bit compatible processor in order to make sure that you can upgrade to future versions”.

So, whilst it’s premature right now to worry to much about v2.0, if you are buying kit for a WHS home-build, then it’s probably a wise move to think about using a 64-bit compatible processor.


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About Terry Walsh

Terry Walsh is the founding editor and owner of We Got Served. Since February 2007, the site has provided detailed coverage and analysis of the emerging home server category, and has subsequently grown into a trusted outlet for digital home news and reviews.
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  • CoryB

    Unless the 64-bit only policy comes into effect then most users should be okay with a 32-bit processor for the life of their hardware. The current RC is still based on the Server 2003 core. It would make sense to have v2 based on the Server 2008 core, however that still supports 32-bit processors and is likely a year or more away. Even a v3 would like still likely not have moved to a 64-bit only core.

    It is something to keep in mind but unless you are buying new hardware at this point I do not think it will be anything to lose sleep over.

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