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Comparing 16-bit and 32-bit programs

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Comparing 16-bit and 32-bit programs

Terminal Server supports 16-bit and 32-bit Windows-based programs. Running 16-bit programs can reduce the number of users a processor supports by 40 percent and increase the memory required for each user by 50 percent. In addition, some 16-bit programs must be able to write to the directory where the program .ini file is stored. Most 32-bit programs use the registry to read and write program settings and need only to write to specific registry values. For both performance and security reasons, 32-bit programs are recommended whenever possible.

For more information about application performance, see Application performance.