Difference Between 32 Bit n 64 Bit Architecture

If you are in the market for a new computer, you might have noticed that there now seem to be two different versions of Windows, known as 32-bit and 64-bit. In truth, these different versions have existed since XP, but it is only recently that 64-bit operating systems have become popular in laptops and desktops sold to consumers. The differences between 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems have roots in the architecture of computer processors.


History
1. Both 32-bit and 64-bit architecture setups have been around for decades, but were mostly used in complicated enterprise computers like the IBM 7030 Stretch, built in 1961. 32-bit architecture was available to consumers in the 1980s, and the Intel 386 was one example. However, Windows did not become a 32-bit operating system until Windows 95. Windows XP was the first consumer version of Windows to receive a 64-bit edition.
Architecture
2. The term "32-bit," when referring to a processor or operating system architecture, refers to the maximum size of an integer register a processor can store. A 32-bit architecture can store data which is 32 bits wide, while a 64-bit architecture can store data which is 64 bits wide. 64-bit architecture can simply store more bits than 32-bit architecture.
Maximum RAM
3. The ability to store more bits means that a processor with a 64-bit architecture can, when paired with a 64-bit operating system, address more memory than a 32-bit architecture. A processor with a 32-bit architecture can only address four gigabytes of memory. The same goes for a 32-bit operating system, even if you have a 64-bit processor. The maximum memory that can be addressed with a 64-bit architecture is 16 terabytes.
File Size
4. The larger number of bits that can be addressed by a 64-bit processor also translates into the ability to store files of a larger size. For example, Windows XP 32-bit cannot make use of a hard drive which is larger than 8 terabytes and it cannot make use of a file which is larger than 4 gigabytes. While there are few instances where this is a problem today, some files, such as high-definition videos, are starting to encroach on the 4-gigabyte file size limit.
Compatibility
5. Programs created only for a 32-bit architecture or operating system won't always work on a 64-bit version, and vice versa. This is because the 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems store data in different ways. Most modern programs offer compatibility for both, but attempting to run a program which was built for a 32-bit version of Windows XP on a modern 64-bit version of Windows 7 may cause the program to crash. Also, device drivers are not compatible between 32-bit and 64-bit versions.