What About the Desktop?
Another curious omission from Microsoft's x64 roadmap; how it will move desktop systems to the 64-bit solution. To date, Microsoft has said it expects x64 to be the mainstream platform by the time Windows Vista is available in late 2006. Most Windows Vista editions will initially be available in both 32- and 64-bit versions, but it's unclear whether Microsoft will sell these products separately or create integrated installers that optionally install either x86 or x64 binaries.
Concerns about x64 on the desktop, are legion. Until 64-bit drivers are available for the millions of hardware devices that already exist, customers will be unwilling or unable to switch to a 64-bit version of Windows XP or Windows Vista. Why? First, some applications still inexplicably use older 16-bit installers, and x64 versions of Windows will not run 16-bit code. Second, some 32-bit applications are designed to access core parts of the system, such as the kernel, which are off limits in 64-bit Windows versions, including some antivirus and antimalware solutions. Finally, applications that extend the Windows shell (e.g., file archiving) or plug into Internet Explorer (IE) don't run on Windows x64 because the system's shell components have been rearchitected in 64-bits. These types of applications will have to be rewritten to run natively on the x64 platform.
Curiously, Microsoft doesn't adequately support the x64 platform with its own applications. Although Microsoft Office runs fine on Windows XP x64, some applications, such as Windows Desktop Search, work only with 32-bit versions of Windows. The company has pledged to resolve those issues.
My expectation is that the desktop will move to the x64 platform slower than server products will. The hardware and software compatibility issues are just too great to overcome for mainstream users to feel comfortable with 64-bit versions of Windows in the year ahead.
Recommendations
Although Microsoft's seemingly aggressive migration to the x64 platform may seem shocking at first, I think they're doing the right thing. The server market is already awash in x64-compatible Xeon- and Opteron-based servers. By providing its customers with a clear roadmap now, Microsoft is taking the guesswork out of your planning. From a technical standpoint, x64 is clearly the way to go. Now, all we need to know is how Microsoft intends to take its desktop platforms to x64 as well.
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