The next major iteration of Windows Server would support exclusively 64-bit (x64) processors, Microsoft revealed, opening up a little bit on the successor of Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows 8 Server, or Windows Server 8, whichever you prefer, will not play nice with 32-bit (x86) CPUs, just as its predecessor, but will also not feature support for the Intel Itanium architecture. Dan Reger, senior technical product manager Windows Server, revealed that Microsoft had already built the last version of Windows Server designed to work with Itanium CPUs.
“Windows Server 2008 R2 will be the last version of Windows Server to support the Intel Itanium architecture. SQL Server 2008 R2 and Visual Studio 2010 are also the last versions to support Itanium,” Reger stated. In all fairness, Reger did not mention Windows 8 Server, or even deliver a hint, but it’s easy to see what the Redmond company is saying, even without whispering the Win8 moniker.
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