16-bit is a computer hardware device or software program capable of transferring 16 bits of data at a time. For example, early computer processors (e.g., 8088 and 80286) were 16-bit processors, meaning they were capable of working with 16-bit binary numbers (decimal number up to 65,535). Anything larger and the computer would need to break the number into smaller pieces.
Today, 16-bit hardware and software has been replaced by 32-bit and 64-bit alternatives, which give the computer more memory to work with, increasing overall performance.
16-bit with video
When referring to a computer video card or graphics card, 16-bit color or high color refers to the amount of colors capable of being displayed. For example, 16-bit is the same as 65,536 colors.
- What’s the difference between 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit color?
Examples of 16-bit programs
Below is a listing of different applications shipped with Windows 95 that are 16 bit applications.
- FreeCell (FREECELL.EXE)
- Microsoft Hearts Network (MSHEARTS.EXE)
- Solitaire (SOL.EXE)
- Character Map (CHARMAP.EXE)
- Chat (WINCHAT.EXE)
- Clipboard Viewer (CLIPBRD.EXE)
- Dialer (DIALER.EXE)
- Disk Defragmenter (DEFRAG.EXE)
- DriveSpace (DRVSPACE.EXE)
- ScanDisk for Windows (SCANDSKW.EXE)
- System Configuration Editor (SYSEDIT.EXE)
- Program Manager (PROGMAN.EXE)
- Windows 95 Tour (TOUR.EXE)
- Windows Version (WINVER.EXE)
- Windows Popup (WINPOPUP.EXE)
8-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit, Bit, Hardware terms, Software terms, UInt16, Video terms