Windows 10 is available in 64-bit and 32-bit versions. Below is the differences between the two versions, as well as the steps for upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10.
Upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10
If you’re running 32-bit version of Windows 10 on your computer You are eligible to upgrading up to 64-bit Windows 10 using your existing Windows 10 licence.
Although you won’t get any other features when you upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10, you will surely notice a difference in performance.
This 64-bit edition of Windows 10 can handle up to 2TB of RAM which lets it run multiple Apps simultaneously.
For comparison, the 32-bit version only supports about 3.75 GB of RAM. It is not able the use of 64-bit game applications on your PC.
What to do to determine whether your PC is 64-bit compatible Version Windows 10
Before proceeding with the steps required to upgrade between 32 and 64 bit Windows 10, you need ensure that your PC can support 64-bit applications.
1. Click on the Start button > Settings Icon.
2. On the Settings screen, select the System tab.
3. On the next screen, you can click About within the lower left-hand pane. In the right-hand-pane scroll down, and then look for your entry for System Type under “Device Specifications” section.
Your device can run 64-bit software if the field above “System Type” recognizes an X64 processor.
If it states x86-based processor your system isn’t capable of the upgrade into 64-bit Windows 10.
Next, you should check the your RAM installation to confirm that your system is equipped with enough memory to run 64-bit software.
The minimum requirement to upgrade to 64-bit version is two 1 GB of RAM 64-bit Windows 10 is more suitable for computers with a high capacity RAM (over 4GB memory).
Verify Compatibility of Driver
If your computer is just few months old, you must already have 64-bit drivers.
It is an excellent idea to check that the graphics drivers and sound cards on your system can be used with the 64 bit versions.
It is possible to do this by going to the manufacturer’s site to determine whether there are 64-bit drivers.
How to upgrade from 32-bit version to 64-bit version Windows 10
There is no simple method to upgrade your computer from 32-bit version to 64-bit version of Windows 10.
There is only one way to have a 64-bit versions of Windows 10 running on your computer is to do the clean installation on Windows 10 on your computer.
That means you’ll need to format your hard drive to install the 64-bit version and then reinstall all software and files you have installed on the computer.
Thus, the procedure for upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10 can be divided into 4 steps.
- Create a Backup of Files on your computer
- Create Windows 10 USB Installation Drive
- Install 64-bit Windows 10 on your computer by using a Windows 10 USB Installation Drive.
- Install Updates to your computer
1. Backup files on Your Computer
The complete install of 64-bit Windows 10 is going to eliminate all the software and files on the hard drive of your PC.
Therefore, it is essential to create backups from your PC to an external storage device using the steps in this tutorial This guide What to do when you backup your Windows 10 Computer
2. Create Windows 10 USB Installation Drive
Make sure your computer has an empty USB Drive of 8 GB capacity. Follow the steps below to create a Windows 10’s USB Install Drive.
1. Connect the USB Drive (8 GB) to the USB Port of your computer.
2. Next, download Windows 10 Media Creation Tool onto your PC via Microsoft’s Website.
3. Once MediaCreationTool.exe File is downloaded to your computer, right-click on the File and select Run As Administrator option in the contextual menu.
NOTE: you can just double-click on the file to verify that you’re in your the Admin Account.
4. When prompted, enter your Admin Password.
5. On the next screen, choose the option to create an Installation Media on a different computer and click Next.
6. On the next screen Uncheck Use Recommended Settings for this computer, then select the language, edition that is Windows 10 and the Architecture of your system and then click Next.
7. On the next screen, select USB Flash Drive as the download destination for the Media Creation Tool and click next.
8. Next, select the Removable Drive in which you wish for the download of media creation software. Media Creation Tool and click on Next.
Then wait for the Windows 10 Installation Drive to be created. Close your Media Creation Tool once the process is complete.
3. Install the 64-bit version of Windows 10 on Your Computer
The last procedure is installing the 64 bit version Windows 10 on your computer by using the Windows 10 USB Installation Drive which we have just made.
Make sure your computer isn’t connected to any external drives . You can then follow the steps listed below to install 64-bit version of Windows 10 on your computer.
1. Insert the Windows 10 USB Installation Drive into the USB port on your PC and restart your PC.
2. Your Computer should begin using Windows Logo (See image below).
Notice: In case your computer isn’t able to boot up by displaying Windows Logo, you will need to alter the sequence of booting for your PC so that it can start from USB Drive.
3. On the Windows Setup screen, choose Language, Time and CurrencyFormat Keyboard Layout, and then click Next.
4. On the next screen, click on the Install Now option (See the image below).
5. Skip the option in the event that you are asked for the Windows Product Key.
6. Accept Licensing Agreement and click Next.
7. On the next screen, select the Custom option: Install Windows exclusively (advanced) choice.
8. On the next screen, choose the Drive that you would like to install 64-bit version of Windows 10 and click on Next.
9. Follow the next set of instructions on screen to finish installing 64-bit Windows 10 on your computer.
4. Install Updates to your computer
Once installing Windows 10 is completed, make sure you download manually the updates and drivers for your PC using the instructions below.
1. Click on the Start button > Settings Icon.
2. On the Settings screen, click Update and Security.
3. On the next screen, select Windows Update in the side-menu and then click on the”Check for Updates” (See the image below).
4. Wait for Windows 10 to verify for the latest Updates and Drivers.
If the drivers are not accessible through Windows Update, take a look on the website of the computer’s manufacturer in order to install and download the available 64-bit drivers on your PC.
Benefits of 64-bit Version of Windows 10
In terms of the features are concerned there’s practically no difference between 32-bit or 64-bit version that are part of Windows 10.
However, the 64 bit version of Windows 10 should offer productivity advantages since it permits users to open multiple browser tabs as well as run multiple applications at the same time.
The 64-bit version lets you use Gaming Apps and programs designed for 64-bit systems.
Contrary to 32-bit, Windows 10 can only make use of 3.75 GB of RAM. This restricts the number of concurrent applications users can install on their PC.
