Why creating 64 bit apps?

[Thaddy]

It is merely Microsoft' s strategy to let an affiliate insider bring some of the news before there is a next major release imminent. That has always been the case. EOL warnings come before any major release.

[paweld]

Copilot (ms) summarized it as follows

Here's what Google Gemini thinks about this issue

please very much not to litter the forum with this spam from AI

[marcov]

Server Core Option: While WOW64 is an optional component for Server Core installations of Windows Server, implying a push towards 64-bit only on servers, it's still available, demonstrating Microsoft's continued willingness to provide 32-bit support where needed.
While the long-term trend is undeniably towards 64-bit native applications, the practicality of supporting existing software means WOW64 is likely to remain a core component of Windows for the foreseeable future.

That is indeed what I would expect to happen first, de-emphasize it server side to reduce the attack surface.

[pasquale]

Do you have any solid reasons to consider what AI gives you as litter?

[pasquale]

If my mind serves me correctly, support for 16-bit apps came to an end with the advent of 64 bits. I suppose 32-bit apps will no longer be supported when a 128-bit version of Windows is released.

[marcov]

Do you have any solid reasons to consider what AI gives you as litter?

In general: In cases like this, I'm distrustful of all non authoritative sources. (which would be a Microsoft announcement or a blog of a major MS developer )

And in general: my experiences with AI are not good on topics where there are few sources like this. 

[marcov]

If my mind serves me correctly, support for 16-bit apps came to an end with the advent of 64 bits. I suppose 32-bit apps will no longer be supported when a 128-bit version of Windows is released.

There is some truth in that deprecating support might make some room in the instruction set that they need for any extension. (not just 128-bit, but maybe also increasing GPRs in 64-bit)

But 16-bit apps were quite often hampered stability wise and functionality wise, so much more actively replaced for other reasons.  32-bit doesn't have that problem

But the analogy is pretty far fetched, and more importantly, it was mostly AMDs decision, not Microsoft.

[440bx]

Do you have any solid reasons to consider what AI gives you as litter?

Sure.

AI has no ability whatsoever to ensure the accuracy and correctness of whatever it blurts.

AI is good at collecting, gathering and summarizing data but, feed it a pile of garbage and what comes out is a bigger pile of well organized garbage delivered authoritatively.  Let's not forget, there is lots and lots and lots of garbage on the net and AI can't tell Godiva from canine organic residue (one of the many problems associated with not having a nose.)

That said, AI, used carefully can be a helpful aid.

[korba812]

As far as I remember, MS has abandoned development of its products for the 32bit platform (e.g. SQL Server is only in 64bit, Visual Studio IDE is only 64bit but still allows compilation for the 32bit platform, Windows 11 is only available in 64bit). But nowhere have I heard of WOW64 being abandoned (so far) other than AI's nonsensical response:

Windows 11, according to Wikipedia, is completely removing support for 32-bit processors, which means that WOW64, which allowed 32-bit applications to run on a 64-bit system, is no longer needed.

[Thaddy]

It is not nonsesical, it it just that I just heard from a ms source that part (syswow64) of the original plan is postponed to beyond 2027. Which means it will probably still be in windows 12 or what it will be called.

[gues1]

A few years ago, before Windows Server was fully ported to 64-bit, there were rumors in Microsoft's email lists that once the full porting of both Server and Azure versions and all its utilities to 64-bit was completed, Microsoft would seriously begin to retire WOW64.
Of course, the deadline is not yet decided, but there is no serious reason to remain at 32-bit.
Also the fact that the extended 80-bit math type is only available in 32-bit is actually a false reason. Already at the time when 32-bit technology spread, Microsoft announced over and over again that the extended value was only used as an internal calculation for the math CPU and should not be used in the application area.
The fact that this was not followed does not mean that we should continue to insist on it.

[pasquale]

Being aware I will have to bite the bullet in the not too distant future and recompile all of my apps to 64 bit, I have finally decided to start doing it.

The problem is, while I had no problems recompiling my 32-bit apps to 64-bit, the Installer created by Inno Setup is still 32-bit, so I guess it won't run when WOW64 is abandoned by Microsoft. Am I missing something?

P.S. Obviously, I didn't forget to include the following lines in the Setup section:
ArchitecturesInstallIn64BitMode=x64compatible
ArchitecturesAllowed=x64compatible

[anse]

One good thing today is, you don't need to provide both 32 bit and 64 bit versions any longer, even for popular apps. Just build 64bit apps for desktops of all major OSes. There was a long time where at least popular apps provided both, but in 2025 I'd say everyone can drop 32 bit support (with very few special case exceptions). During the recent 12 years I was providing both variants, and I'm happy now to have one thing less to care about.