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Kristin Klodzinski
Windows 10 can run on both 32-bit and 64-bit processor architectures. If you have a computer with a 32-bit setup, you can upgrade to the 64-bit version without acquiring a new license. The only caveat is that there is no in-place upgrade path to make the switch. The only option is to perform a clean installation of Windows 10.
Accessing more memory allows you to run more apps simultaneously without affecting the experience, and you can work with a mix of 64-bit and 32-bit programs. Also, perhaps, more importantly, it will help you improve productivity on memory-intensive tasks. For instance, rendering videos, running virtual machines, and opening many tabs on your web browser.
If you want to upgrade a system from Windows 10 32-bit to the 64-bit version, you first need to determine whether the processor has 64-bit support, 2GB of memory, or more, and whether the remaining parts have support for 64-bit drivers.
Once you complete the steps, you can determine whether the device runs the 32-bit version of Windows 10 on a 64-bit processor. However, if it reads "32-bit operating system, x86-based processor," the computer does not support the 64-bit version of Windows.
If the computer has the 32-bit version of Windows 10 and the hardware is relatively new, there is a good chance that you will find 64-bit versions of the drivers. You can check the device manufacturer support website to confirm that the components have drivers for the x64 architecture.
A Windows 10 product key allows you to install the 32-bit or 64-bit version. The only caveat is that you can't perform an in-place upgrade. Instead, you must delete the previous setup and perform a clean installation to change architectures.
As part of the architecture upgrade process, you have to use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to create a USB bootable media by connecting a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of space to the computer, and then use these steps:
If you need a flash drive to create a Windows 10 bootable media, the Cruzer Glide CZ60 by SanDisk is a good option. The flash drive offers 32GB of storage and reliable data transfer speed to perform a Windows installation and store files on the go.
When you are ready to upgrade to Windows 10 64-bit from 32-bit, before proceeding, you may need to change some settings to allow the computer to start from a USB flash drive. This requires accessing the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on the motherboard to change the boot order.
Usually, the process requires hitting one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), Esc, or Delete key as soon as you start the computer. However, the instructions can be different depending on the manufacturer and even per device model. As a result, you may need to check the manufacturer's support website for more specific details.
Warning: This is a friendly reminder that you will be making changes to the current setup, which may cause problems and even data loss if you don't do this correctly. Before proceeding, it's recommended to make a temporary full backup of your PC. It's also a good idea to create a copy of your files to an external drive or OneDrive, as you'll have to restore them after the upgrade.
Once the installation completes, you will have to continue with the on-screen directions to finish the out-of-box experience (OOBE), which allows you to create a new account, configure the preferences, and choose the privacy settings.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years."}), " -0-10/js/authorBio.js"); } else console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); Mauro HuculakSocial Links NavigationMauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
I recently purchased an HP Stream 7, which I was led to believe would have Windows 8.1 64-bit installed. However, it has 32-bit Windows, even though it has a 64-bit processor. Installing 64-bit has been problematic, and I found the reason is the 32-bit UEFI. Is there a way to change it or replace it with a 64-bit UEFI? Are there any other options for installing Windows 8.1 64-bit? Or is this impossible presently?
I have read that in order to boot Linux with the 32-bit UEFI, you can swap out the standard 64-bit UEFI GRUB with the 32-bit one from a different distribution and it'll be able to work on the Stream 7, so maybe a similar procedure (swapping the 64-bit UEFI bootmgr with the 32-bit one and reconfiguring the entries to match your installation) might work to get a 64-bit Windows installation running after you installed it with an AIO image with a 32-bit Windows PE.
However, after considering doing this myself on my HP Stream 7 that is currently on its way, I remembered the fact that the minimum requirement for Windows 8.1 x64 for memory is 2 GB, and the HP Stream 7 only has 1 GB. The installation size of a 64-bit Windows is also bigger (as it needs both 32-bit and 64-bit libraries for compatibility), which makes a difference since it only has 32 GB of internal memory. Those have to be the reason why HP even put 32-bit firmware on that device.
Windows Store apps won't care about running in 32 or 64-bit, and the rare desktop programs that would be 64-bit only are probably that way because they require lots of RAM and processing power, which the HP Stream 7 won't be able to provide anyways. So there is no point in installing Windows 8.1 64-bit on it, it would only use up more space and make it very slow due to insufficient memory. Of course, if you want to install Windows 8.1 Pro instead of the Bing version to have encryption and whatnot, go right ahead, that's what I'll do at least anyways. Or maybe try Windows 10 Technical Preview 2 once I know the tablet is fully functional and won't need to be exchanged.
TL;DR Just stick with Windows 32-bit, the Stream 7 doesn't meet the minimum requirements for the 64-bit edition and no program that requires 64-bit would run well on that hardware anyways. Just count yourself lucky you didn't buy a Windows RT tablet :)
If you select the 64 bit option it will try to install it, given that your device has a 64 bit processor, but since it has a 32 bit UEFI firmware, winload.efi will crack because it expects a 64 bit UEFI firmware.
It CAN be made to work. The only issue is with a few files related to the UEFI boot. Very few changes required, but potentially, we may be talking about very low level UEFI programming (or it could just be a matter of copy pasting/replacing one or two files... I couldn't tell you) The rest of the operating system would work perfectly with no change.
The reason the HP Stream 7 has a 64 bit processor and 32 bit UEFI is that 32 bit UEFI is the only supported platform for 'Connected Standby' (Receiving notifications online) The processor theoretically could sustain 64 bit Windows, but that would be run at the risk of destroying parts of the computer
...its very old post, nevertheless, pertaining to T100TAF, asus does provide drivers and support for win 8.1 x64, and not win 10 x64. Ironically, after installation of 64 bit system upgrade to win 10 x64 does not work. So, some kind of workaround for x64 has been used but never migrated to the next generation of windows.
I have a user with a Mac + VMware Fusion with a 32-bit Windows XP virtual machine. He needs a 64-bit OS for a project he is working on with the development team. It appears that the upgrade process to Windows 7 will most likely result in a clean install. I would like to avoid that as much as possible because he required a couple days worth of hand holding to get his current environment up and running, and that leads me to my question.
Can I use a Windows XP Pro 64-bit installation disk to run a repair install on his Windows XP Pro 32-bit VM, so that all settings are mostly retained? I know it's a long shot, but I'm hoping someone has a good answer for me. :)
We hypothesize (without proof) that the last category is the most common, and CPython reducing its level of support for 32-bit Windows would hopefully encourage those users to migrate to a 64-bit Python.
Even though most Windows installations are probably 64-bit by now, it is still rather common to run into 32-bit applications on Windows. If you want to interface to such a 32-bit application, you have to use a 32-bit Python version and 32-bit wheels, unless you can use some kind of IPC mechanism to bridge the gap.
E.g. say you have a 32-bit application using a database and you want to access the database using an ODBC driver from Python, then you have to use a 32-bit version of Python in order to access that database.
Things are getting better, since applications on Windows are slowly moving towards 64-bit per default, but using the number of Windows installations as a reference for how wide-spread 64-bit applications are on Windows is not a good metric.
(1) Because 32-bit applications are still supported on Windows and some people may be using embedded Python to interface in-process with those. The case of embedding Python in an extension to one such application came up in another conversation recently IIRC. People needing embedded Python require a Python that matches. But I assume embedders are also more likely to be people capable of doing their own builds.
At this point it feels like the only ones that would are people embedding it in code that needs to be loaded by a 32-bit process? I expect embedders are the kind of people we should just tell to build their own 32-bit windows x86 cpython from source.
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