Microsoft KB Archive/888733

= A description of the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 and of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition =

Article ID: 888733

Article Last Modified on 10/11/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

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INTRODUCTION
This article lists and briefly describes Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and the x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

These versions are the following:
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 support Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) AMD64 processors and Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) processors. The underlying architecture of these operating systems is based on 64-bit extensions to the standard x86 instruction set. Therefore, you can run 32-bit and 64-bit programs on x64-processor-based computers that are running Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or an x64-based version of Windows Server 2003.



MORE INFORMATION
The x64-based versions are based on the Windows Server 2003 code tree. Service and support activities for these versions use the Windows Server 2003 tree and do not use the Windows XP client tree. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 are available through the following sources:
 * Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
 * Microsoft Software Assurance
 * Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN)

All fixes built into Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) are included in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1). Additionally, Windows Server 2003 SP1 is the code tree segment on which all Windows x64 editions are based. Therefore, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition does not require Windows XP SP2.

If you purchase 64-bit hardware in a package that includes a 32-bit version of Windows Server 2003 or of Windows XP, you can upgrade your 32-bit licenses to 64-bit licenses.

For more information about the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/default.mspx

For more information about Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.mspx

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Technical support for x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows
If your hardware came with a Microsoft Windows x64 edition already installed, your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for the Windows x64 edition. In this case, your hardware manufacturer provides support because a Windows x64 edition was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the Windows x64 edition installation by using unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you need technical help with a Windows x64 edition. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware. If you purchased a Windows x64 edition such as a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 edition separately, contact Microsoft for technical support.

For product information about Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.mspx

For product information about x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/x64/default.mspx

Additional query words: Winx64 Windowsx64 64bit 64-bit

Keywords: kbinfo kbtshoot kbpubtypekc kbwinservperf KB888733

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