Using the wizard, I created a 64-bit guest environment and then, absentmindedly, installed a 32-bit OS. This works fine, as you would expect. However, aside from initial vnic choice* what are the differences between between a 64-bit and a 32-bit environment? Are these differences static, as with the nic choice, meaning you can only change them manually later? Or are they dynamic, taking effect only when the machine is powered on? For those not aware, once the machine exists, you can change the guest OS by following 'edit settings' -> 'options'; it's in the lower right of that window.

Now that I've asked about bittedness, does vmware make any optimizations or alternative choices for different operating systems?

• 64-bit guests start with the e1000 virtualized nic; 32-bit guests get the vlance nic