The Terminal Shell Integration pioneered around early 2022 has matured, allowing VS Code to understand what is happening inside the terminal, leading to:
Many developers work in regulated industries, on embedded systems, or on older machines that cannot be updated to Windows 10/11. The 1.70.3 64-bit release ensures that these developers still have access to a modern IDE experience—including IntelliSense, Git integration, and debugging tools—without being forced to upgrade their hardware.
Modern processors are optimized for 64-bit instructions. By running the x64 version of VS Code, you ensure that the editor and its underlying Electron framework are communicating with your CPU as efficiently as possible. Additionally, 64-bit Windows offers better security features (like ASLR) that help protect your development environment. 3. Extension Compatibility
In VS Code, go to Help > About (or code -v in the terminal) to check the architecture. Conclusion
In 2026, VS Code is deeply integrated with AI assistants like GitHub Copilot. The 64-bit architecture is required to manage the massive background processing these tools require for real-time code completion and debugging suggestions. How to Ensure You Are Using 64-Bit VS Code visual studio code 1703 64 bits
If you are running a 64-bit version of Windows, Linux, or macOS, you should be using the 64-bit version of VS Code.
The "portable" version. Great if you want to run VS Code off a thumb drive or keep it isolated from your system. Troubleshooting Version Numbers
Download the for that specific version.
VS Code is supported on the following platforms: Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) macOS versions with Apple security update support. Visual Studio Code Visual Studio Code FAQ The Terminal Shell Integration pioneered around early 2022
As of June 2026, Visual Studio Code continues to build upon the foundational improvements found in the 1.70-1.x era. 1. Terminal Shell Integration
Understanding Visual Studio Code 1703 64-Bits: Misconceptions and Clarifications
If you are looking for the absolute latest version as of 2026, it is highly recommended to use VS Code Insiders for access to experimental features like full-page chat screenshots or advanced AI integrations.
Users can visit the official VS Code updates page for version 1.70 ( https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_70 ), scroll to the bottom, and select the appropriate download link for their 64-bit system. By running the x64 version of VS Code,
Download the current "User Installer" for Windows x64. It may still run, though it is not officially supported.
During setup, ensure you check the boxes for:
Use the "Profiles" feature to create different setups for Web Dev, Data Science, or C++ work.
Excluding folders like node_modules from the file watcher prevents VS Code from eating up CPU cycles tracking background changes. Troubleshooting Legacy Environments
Let’s break down the search term:
Most modern VS Code extensions—especially those involving heavy language servers like for Python or IntelliCode —are designed and tested primarily on 64-bit environments. Running the x64 version ensures you won't run into "unsupported architecture" errors when customizing your workspace. How to Install the Correct 64-bit Version