Windows 7 question of the day: Do you get 32-bit or 64-bit discs? And the answer is.... (UPDATED)

So the number one question I've gotten since the Windows 7 pre-order went up, by far, is ... What is this thing? 32-bit? 64-bit? Both? That's a great question. And it's not obvious. I don't know. I've put in the question with Microsoft. Based on my notes, my guess is that it's actually 32-bit and that you will get a URL in the packaging if you want to download and burn the x64 version. But I need to verify that. And if that is true, my opinion is that it should be the other way around. (Then again, based on my notes, I thought the pre-order was going to be electronic. So all bets are off.) I'll let you know as soon as I hear back. But if anyone has a link to a site explicitly describing this, I'd love to hear about it. And Microsoft, if you're reading, seriously. You could have really spelled this out more clearly. Come on. UPDATE: Long story short, every Windows 7 retail box (except for Home Basic) comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit install discs , according to Microsoft.

Paul Thurrott

June 26, 2009

1 Min Read
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So the number one question I've gotten since the Windows 7 pre-order went up, by far, is ... What is this thing? 32-bit? 64-bit? Both?

That's a great question. And it's not obvious.

I don't know.

I've put in the question with Microsoft. Based on my notes, my guess is that it's actually 32-bit and that you will get a URL in the packaging if you want to download and burn the x64 version. But I need to verify that. And if that is true, my opinion is that it should be the other way around. (Then again, based on my notes, I thought the pre-order was going to be electronic. So all bets are off.)

I'll let you know as soon as I hear back. But if anyone has a link to a site explicitly describing this, I'd love to hear about it.

And Microsoft, if you're reading, seriously. You could have really spelled this out more clearly. Come on.

UPDATE: Long story short, every Windows 7 retail box (except for Home Basic) comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit install discs, according to Microsoft.

About the Author

Paul Thurrott

Paul Thurrott is senior technical analyst for Windows IT Pro. He writes the SuperSite for Windows, a weekly editorial for Windows IT Pro UPDATE, and a daily Windows news and information newsletter called WinInfo Daily UPDATE.

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