Should a 32-bit JRE work OK on a 64-bit machine?

Question

I have created a desktop app. Within the bundle, I've included the Windows 32-bit JRE6. We've tested the app on our Windows 64-bit machine and it seems fine, but the app is making our customer's 64-bit Windows machine hang.

Is this hanging problem likely to be that we are trying to run a 32-bit JRE on a 64-bit machine?

Unlikely, because 64-bit Windows machines routinely run 32-bit applications, including 32 bit JREs. — Patricia Shanahan, May 28 '13 at 16:37
(At this point, I might make the comment that's it's not the JRE that's making the Windows machine hang, it's the Windows. I guess I just did.) — Reinstate Monica -- notmaynard, May 28 '13 at 16:46
It's unlikely the problem you have have something to do with the title of the question. This is an operating system problem, probably too much trash installed on too small machine. If you add more detailed information about configuration, you could post it on SuperUser. — Danubian Sailor, May 28 '13 at 19:00

Konstantin Yovkov · Answer 1 · 2013-05-28T17:06:03.487

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Not at all. 64-bit Windows run 32-bit applications (as well as 32-bit JRE) with no problems.

The opposite, however, is not possible.

edited May 28 '13 at 17:06

answered May 28 '13 at 16:39

Konstantin Yovkov

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score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered May 28 '13 at 16:53

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from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-id/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows-frequently-asked-questions

Most programs designed for the 32-bit version of Windows will work on the 64-bit version of Windows. Notable exceptions are many antivirus programs.

That being said. For your specific use case it should not be the root cause (like @kocko already said).

However, I'd like to note that if you are executing native code (i.e. using JNI) loading 32-bit native libraries (DLLs) will cause issues on 64-bit machines but generally give you a good stacktrace instead of hanging the whole PC.

answered May 28 '13 at 16:53

zsawyer

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What issues? I've been doing it for years. – user207421 May 29 '13 at 00:06
I am talking about the infamous UnsatisfiedLinkError [see this issue](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9757456/java-native-interface-32-bit-dll-on-64-bit-system) – zsawyer May 29 '13 at 00:23

Should a 32-bit JRE work OK on a 64-bit machine?

2 Answers2