64-bit Windows imminent

02 Mar 2005 10:30

IDF: After a long wait, 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Server 2003 should ship within weeks

Microsoft is planning to offer long-awaited 64-bit versions of its Windows operating system next month.

Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum on Tuesday, Windows chief Jim Allchin said the desktop version of the souped-up Windows would come at the beginning of April, while the server version would come at the end of the month.

"We're locked on to 64-bit," Allchin said, encouraging developers to start tailoring their applications to include the ability to take advantage of the extra processing power.

Last month, Microsoft released a second, near-final "release candidate" version of the operating system. The company had promised a final release would come by the end of June.

The 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 have been a long time coming, particularly for chipmaker AMD, which has offered such chips for roughly two years in the server market and 18 months in the desktop PC market.

Story URL: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39189754,00.htm