Vista 64-bit - help?

I apologize if this has been already answered somewhere, but I could use some help. Please have patience with me, because I'm kind of computer-stupid...

I recently (finally) got a desktop, and allowed myself to be talked into this new Windows Vista 64-bit...thing. Monstrosity. Whatever. I start it up, update everything, cry and plead with my internet connection, blah, blah. And like a good little newbie, tottered over here to get my malware protection.
...Only to find that there's not much compatable with this great beast of mine? SpyBot (the savoir of my last few laptops) is denied to me, and most of the software I've seen around here only supports up to a 32-bit? I think I may have bitten off more than I can handle with this...


Does anyone know what, if any, malware protection I can actually get?
And why, if more is better, does it feel like a 64-bit processor (it *is* the processor's fault, right?) is worse than a lower grade? Would I be better going down a notch--if that's even possible?

Any help would be really appreciated by this idiot who's wandered in over her head.

...Please don't doom me to Norton. :cry

 

You are a god. Thanks so much!

 

ccleaner also does well for tidying up as neccessary for those not so fast feelings. Havent had much problems with vista x64 once I got used to it

 

Worse case scenario...you can put a 32bit OS (windows) on a 64bit machine. But most likely, if you just stick with it till you get everything tweaked, then you'll be fine with it.

Roger

 

i have done just that and put my 64 bit disks away.

 

Yeah...It's not for everyone...I avoided it all together...it just didn't quite catch on like they hoped it would, which resulted in a lot less support!! IMO

 

You can install 32-bit programs on 64-bit OS. I run Vista 64 and have no problems with any software.

 

Certain programs will not work in that regards.

 

Am I missing something guys SB S&D wanted by the OP - Avira, Avast etc etc etc etc, support Vista 64bit. Should I go out and kick a tree now???!!

 

@ Jamiko that's what I thought.Think the OP was confused....