V - x64 Notice

32 bit programs run quite happily on 64 bit operating systems (like Windows 7 x64 or Vista x64). However, they have the following limitations:

32 bit programs cannot run 64 bit code

Some programs install Windows Explorer extensions which add commands to the Explorer right-click menu. Since V can also display the Explorer right-click menu, these extensions can also be called from V.

However, if the extension is a 64 bit extension (installed by a 64 bit program), the corresponding command will not appear in the V (32 bit) right-click menu.

The converse is also true. That is 64 bit programs cannot run 32 bit code. This means that any extensions installed by 32 bit programs will not appear in the V (64 bit) right-click menu.

32 bit programs cannot access 64 bit system directories

Windows usually stores its system files (EXEs, DLLs, etc.) in C:\Windows\System32 (and its subdirectories). 32 bit programs need access to 32 bit system files, while 64 bit programs need access to 64 bit system files. For example, a 64 bit graphics program will need to access the 64 bit version of gdiplus.dll, while a 32 bit program will need to access the 32 bit version of gdiplus.dll. Because the 32 bit and 64 bit DLLs have the same name, they cannot be stored in the same directory.

Microsoft could have simply used C:\Windows\System64 as the system directory for 64 bit operting systems, but apparently, this would have broken too many 32 bit programs. In its wisdom, Microsoft decided to do the following. Whenever a 32 bit program tries to access C:\Windows\System32, it automatically gets redirected to C:\Windows\SysWow64. That is, 64 bit system files are stored in C:\Windows\System32 and 32 bit system files are stored in C:\Windows\SysWow64.

If you use Windows Explorer on a 64 bit OS to view C:\Windows\System32 and C:\Windows\SysWow64, you will see that the 2 folders are different. This is because Windows Explorer (on a 64 bit OS) is a 64 bit program. However, if you use V (32 bit) on a 64 bit OS to view C:\Windows\System32 and C:\Windows\SysWow64, you will see that the two folders are identical.

This means that V (32 bit) cannot access the real C:\Windows\System32. All accesses to C:\Windows\System32 are being redirected to C:\Windows\SysWow64.

Which version of V should I run on my 64 bit OS?

Usually, you would want to run the 64 bit version.

The only reason to run the 32 bit version is if you want access to a 32 bit extension on V's right-click menu.