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What is the maximum size of binary can be run on 32-bit operating system?

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As far as I know, 32 bit operating system can point only 4 GB of memory, does it mean that maximum size of binary it can run on 32-bit operating system is 4 GB?

posted Jun 16, 2016 by anonymous

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1 Answer

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Best answer

Yes your impression is correct, 32-bit architecture is limited to addressing a maximum of 4 gigabytes of memory. Depending on the operating system, this number can be cut down even further due to reserved address space etc.

However with the use of the use of PAE (Physical Address Extension if supported by the processor) we can enable addressable memory to more then 4GB but it does not change the size available to a single process/binary i.e. 4GB.

answer Jun 16, 2016 by Salil Agrawal
Thank you, Sir,

So, Can we run binary with size 10 GB in 32 bit operating system?
commented Jun 17, 2016 by Chirag Gangdev
No you cant, as I explained in the second part even with PAE you have a limit of 4GB.
commented Jun 17, 2016 by Salil Agrawal
Similar Questions
+2 votes
Confused with 32/64 bit HW, OS and Binary, Listed few queries in description

I am confused with all 32/64 bit architecture for Hardware/OS/Binary, Can someone please help in clarifying this queries?

  1. Of'course 64 bit hardware is faster than 32 bit, still there are people who prefer 32 bit over 64 bit hardware, Why so?
  2. If I have 32 bit Hardware then On that can I run 64 bit OS? (and vice versa)
  3. If I have a 64 bit Hardware and 32 bit OS then what will be the speed of my OS, as per 32 bit or as per 64 bit? (and vice versa)
  4. If I have 32 bit OS then can I run binary of 64 bit on that? (and vice versa)
  5. Is it necessary to compile binary with 32/64 bit both or we can compile with any and use it in both?
  6. Is the speed of the process also depends on type of binary that I have? For example, If I have 64 bit hardware and 64 bit OS but I have a binary which is compiled with 32 bit compiler then what will be the speed difference?

P.S. I know its basic and silly queries but lets clear now before it gets too late. :)

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