Windows XP 64bit Edition has some features that are not available in the 32-bit Windows operating system, but it also loses some of the features of the traditional Windows operating system. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition supports Intel's latest "Itanium" processor. The Itanium processor is designed to meet the needs of users creating and processing large amounts of complex data. The goal of this high-performance processor is high-end workstation applications such as large database management, scientific and engineering computing. On an Itanium-based computer running Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, it can support up to 16 TB of virtual memory and 16 GB of physical memory. Users can run 32-bit applications on Windows XP 64-Bit Edition by using a simulation layer. But because the emulation layer itself has to take up extra resources, 32-bit applications run much slower in this environment than they do on 32-bit systems. The following table lists the differences in structure between Windows XP Professional and Windows XP 64-Bit Edition: However, Windows XP 64-Bit Edition is not a panacea, it also has unsupported features. A number of features in Windows XP Professional are not included in Windows XP 64-Bit Edition. Digital Media:
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition does not have the following digital media features: DVD video playback, CD recording, Kodak Imaging Accessory, Windows Media Player, Windows Media Technology: DirectMusic, Microsoft TV Technologies For Windows, Video mixing renderer (VMR), etc., NetMeeting, IEEE 1394 audio, fax. Subsystems and Protocols:
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition does not support many older operating systems and transport protocols. Subsystems it does not support include: MS-DOS subsystem, OS/2 subsystem, 16-bit subsystem, Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) subsystem for Unix, unsupported protocols include: IPX/SPX LAN and WAN, AppleTalk Protocol LAN, Services for Macintosh, DLC LAN, NetBEUI LAN, SAP Agent for Server, IPX Routing, IrDA, OSP, NetBiOS Gateway. Mobile Computer Processing Technology:
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition does not support the original features designed for laptops, including: hot docking/undocking, PC Card, IrDA, Terminal Services Client for Portable PCs, Power management. System Recovery:
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition does not support system recovery. Network and Communication:
The following network and communication functions are not included in Windows XP 64-Bit Edition: Internet Locator Service (ILS), MSN Internet Access Client, MSMQ Level 8 Listener, Windows Messenger Service, obtained from Microsoft SharePoint team service. Database:
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition with a 64-bit version of the "Database Engine" and related features, but with a 32-bit version of the "Microsoft Database Engine" (MSDE) and Jet RED. These include: 64-bit MSDE, 64-bit Jet RED, Microsoft Database Access Component (MDAC) Oracle Provider, MDAC Oracle Driver, MDAC Data Access Object (DAO), MDAC Visual FoxPro Driver, Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) sharing. System Management:
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition does not support the following system management and operation functions: Windows Reporting Tool Winrep, Security Dynamic Access Control Access (ACE) Agent, Windows Installer, Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, File And set up the conversion wizard, Microsoft Product Activation (WPA), recovery console installation on the hard disk, recovery console from the operating system CD, find assistant, voice recognition.