Why are they still making 32 Bit?

[infiniytMC1999]

Hi, I was just wondering why is 32 bit still a option for windows 8 or any windows for that matter.
I'm not 100% educated about operating systems and the 32 bit and 64 bit. But it seems that 64 bit is so much better I just don't understand why they still make 32 bit.
If there is a actually reason I would love to know.

Thanks...

[Geek-9pm]

Well, many people will keep using 32bit because:
A. ) New hardware costs money.
B. ) Even if it was free some would never change.

As for the memory advantage, some older PCs do not have 64  CPUs. But hey do have the PAE feature,m which allows more memory  if the OS supports it.

Windows 8 32 bit supports PAE. So it is possible to have 6 GB in an OS theat only directly reads 3 GB of memory.
Override the 4GB memory barrier on 32-bit Windows 8.1 systems.

Although the 64-bit transition period has come and gone, there are a surprising number of active installations of the 32-bit Windows operating system, particularly in industrial or business environments. One plausible explanation is the fact that backwards compatibility with older 16-bit Windows code is not possible on 64-bit Window

My laptop is 32 bit and I an not ready to  toss  it out. 

[patio]

Applications.

[strollin]

32-bit Win 7 & Win 8 support running 16-bit applications while 64-bit does not.

[Squashman]

32-bit Win 7 & Win 8 support running 16-bit applications while 64-bit does not.

Whch means people are just hanging on to application that are 20 years old.
XP had 64 bit. Vista had 64 bit. Windows 7 had 64 bit and XP mode for legacy applications and I have no idea why Microsoft continues to placate the community on Windows 8.
Apple made the transition to 64bit pretty quickly.

[camerongray]

While 32bit is certainly on its way out, there are still some 32bit CPUs that are still usable today - I'm thinking particularly of Core Duo CPUs in laptops.

[strollin]

I have read more than 1 rant on various forums where some user is outraged that his shiny, new, 64-bit Win 8 computer can't run some piece of software that he's been using since 1990.  These rants condemn MS as being scum and pirates for leaving consumers hung out to dry.

[Geek-9pm]

I have read more than 1 rant on various forums where some user is outraged that his shiny, new, 64-bit Win 8 computer can't run some piece of software that he's been using since 1990.  These rants condemn MS as being scum and pirates for leaving consumers hung out to dry.

There is no shortage of old computers that run 16 bit software.
Before  Intel introduced the i386, all IBM PCs were 16 bit computers. The original have a 8 bit data path. Then it went to a 16 bit data path with a 20 bit address. Anyway, 16bit computerizing should be put to rest. It was mistake.

[strollin]

It's not even necessary to use an old machine.  A VM of 32-bit Win XP, 7 or 8 will run 16-bit software.for older DOS software there's DOSBox.

[Geek-9pm]

It's not even necessary to use an old machine.  A VM of 32-bit Win XP, 7 or 8 will run 16-bit software.for older DOS software there's DOSBox.

My thought was to keep some old machines out of land fills.