Article created with
FME Desktop 2016.0
Question
Which version of FME for Windows should I install?
Answer - FME Desktop
It is recommended that you install the 64-bit version of FME, unless one of the following applies:
- If you are running a 32-bit version of Windows, you have to install the 32-bit version of FME Desktop.
- If you need to use a format not supported by 64-bit FME. A complete list of supported formats is available at safe.com/formats.
- If you need to extend a 32-bit application. There is more information about extending applications at Extending applications using FME Desktop
Answer - FME Server
- FME Server (2018+) must be installed on a 64bit operating system.
- If you need to use a 32bit engine due to the format(s) being used, you can do a 32bit engine installation but this must be on a 64bit operating system.
- If you need 32bit and 64bit engines for FME Server, this should be installed on separate machines. See the documentation here.
Helpful information
- Safe's automated testing efforts are focused on 64-bit Windows and 64-bit FME
- 64-bit FME is better suited for processing large amounts of data, due to its ability to use a greater amount of memory
- Workspaces authored in a 32-bit version of FME Desktop can be deployed to a 64-bit version of server (and vice-versa), provided all the required formats are supported
- If you are working with Esri Geodatabases, please see the Notes on Esri Versions and Compatibility page for more information on 32 and 64 bit processing.
- It is possible to install both 64- and 32-bit versions of FME Desktop on the same system. See Installing multiple versions of FME for more information.
- FME products for Linux and Mac are 64-bit only
- FME Desktop (32bit) and FME Server Engine (32bit) are fully supported on Windows 64bit OS
To check whether your Windows operating system is 64-bit or 32-bit
On Windows Vista and Windows 7:
- Open the Start Menu, and click on “Computer”
- In the top toolbar, click on “System Properties”
- Under the “System” heading, “System type” will indicate either 32-bit or 64-bit
On Windows 8 and Windows 10:
- Right-click (or tap and hold) in the lower-left corner of the screen
- Select “System” from the menu
- Under the “System” heading, “System type” will indicate either 32-bit or 64-bit
Current releases of FME Desktop are available at http://safe.com/downloads, and beta versions are located at http://safe.com/beta.
For further information about specific formats and applications, please see: FME 64bit and Geodatabase FME 64-bit and ArcGIS Server SDE Libraries for 64 bit FME reading 64 bit SDE FME and Microsoft Office on a 64-bit system Oracle clients for FME running on a 64-bit OS
