Operating System

How to Upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Version of Windows 10 – Step-by-Step Guide

Windows 10 can run on both 32-bit and 64-bit processor architectures. If you have a PC or laptop running 32-bit Windows, you can upgrade it to 64-bit Windows without purchasing a new license.

The only downside is that there is no direct path designed for this purpose, and the process involves wiping Windows and reinstalling it completely.

Although both versions of Windows offer the same features, when you upgrade to the 64-bit (x64) version, your device can take advantage of higher amounts of memory (up to 2 TB) and is no longer limited to the 4 GB version.

The ability to access more memory allows you to run more applications at the same time, which has a good effect on your user experience, and you can run both 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

Also, the most important thing when using 64-bit Windows is that it helps improve productivity on tasks that require a lot of memory.

For example, when rendering videos, working with virtual machines, or opening multiple tabs in a web browser, tasks run better on 64-bit systems.

In this article, we want to explain how to upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit version of Windows 10.

Determine 64-bit compatibility using Settings

To run a 64-bit processor on a 32-bit operating system, you must first check whether your Windows 10 processor can run it or not.

1.Go to the Settings.

2.Select System.

3.Select About.

4.Check the Installed RAM details.

5.Confirm that the information reads 2GB or higher.

6. Check the System type details in the Device specifications section.

7. Confirm that your 32-bit operating system is reading the 64-bit based processor.

After you’ve gone through the steps thoroughly, you’ll need to determine whether you want Windows 10 to run on a 32-bit device on a 64-bit processor.

Note: If a 32-bit operating system reads a 64-bit-based processor, your computer does not support the 64-bit version.

Determine CPU compatibility using Coreinfo

Although most computers that use modern hardware can work with any version of Windows 10, you need to confirm whether there are four necessary features in the processor or not.

The important features are:

  • CMPXCHG16b (CX16).
  • Physical Address Extension (PAE).
  • Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 (SSE2).
  • No-eXecute (NX).

You can use Microsoft Coreinfo to confirm the processor has the required features.

Follow the steps below:

1.Go to the Microsoft Sysinternals website (opens in new tab).

2. Select the Download Coreinfo link.

3. Right-click the Coreinfo.zip folder

4. Click on the Extract all option.

5. Select the Extract button.

6. In the address bar,type the following command.

7. Hit Enter to open Command Prompt in this folder location.cmd.

8. Type the following command.

9. Hit Enter:coreinfo.

10. Search (Ctrl + F keyboard shortcut or Ctrl + Shift + F on Terminal) for these features:

  • PAE.
  • NX.
  • SSE2.
  • CX16.

After following the steps, if the tool confirms that these features are available, you can apply the 64-bit version of Windows 10.

The upgrade process can confirm the compatibility of the processor, but to do this faster, you can use the Coreinfo tool using this tool this feature will be checked earlier.

Determine driver compatibility

You should also check whether components such as the sound card and graphics card are compatible with the 64-bit version of Windows 10.

If your computer has a 32-bit version of Windows 10 and also has relatively new hardware, it will most likely be able to find the 64-bit version of the drives.

You can check the device manufacturer’s support website to confirm whether the components have drivers for the 64-bit processor architecture.

How to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit on Windows 10

Windows 10 allows you to install either the 32-bit or 64-bit version, but the only thing you should be aware of is that you cannot perform an in-place upgrade.

But you need to delete the previous settings and reinstall them to change the architecture.

Create installation media

To perform 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.

1.Go to the Microsoft download page.

2.Under the “Create Windows 10 installation media” section, select the Download Now button.

3. Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the tool.

4. Select the Accept button to agree to the terms.

5. Click on the Create installation media (USB flash drive, ISO file, or DVD ) for another PC option.

6. Select the Next button.

7. Clear the Use the recommended options for this PC option.

8. Click on the correct edition and language  of Windows 10 for the new installation.

9.Click on the 64-bit (x64) option for Architecture.

10. Select the Next button.

11. Click on the USB flash drive option.

12. Select the Next button.

13. Click on the USB flash drive to create the bootable media.

Select the Next button.

Select the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, it’ll create the bootable media compatible with Windows 10,

64-bit processor and proceed to download the installation files.

Windows 10 32-bit to 64-bit install

When your computer is ready to upgrade to Windows 10 32-bit to 64-bit, you may need to change some settings to allow the computer to boot from a USB flash drive before proceeding with the installation.

It requires accessing the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) or the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)  on the motherboard to change the boot order.

Usually, the process requires hitting one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), Delete key, or Esc as soon as you start the computer.

These instructions can be different in each device model and even depending on the manufacturer.

Therefore, you may need to check the manufacturer’s support website for more details.

After accessing the operating system, go to the boot menu page. Configure the boot order to start from the USB flash drive and also save the changes.

To change Windows 10 processor from 32-bit to 64-bit, use the steps mentioned below:

1. Boot your system with a USB flash drive

2. On Windows Setup, select the Next button.

3. Select the Install Now button.

4. Select the I don’t have a product key link to continue.

5. Click the edition of Windows 10 .

6. Select the Next button.

7. Check the I accept the license terms option .

8. Select the Next button.

9. Select the Custom Install Windows only (advanced) option.

10. Click on the partition with the current installation of Windows 10 (usually “Drive 0”).

11. Select the Delete button to remove the partition from the hard drive.

12. Click on the empty drive labeled Drive 0 Unallocated Space.

13. Select the Next button.

After completing the mentioned steps, install the 64-bit version of Windows 10 on your system.

After completing the installation process, you should follow the on-screen instructions to create a new account, select privacy settings, and configure preferences.

To ensure that the latest patches and drivers are installed, you must perform the following steps:

1. Open the Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Select the Windows Update.

Note: Finally, restore your files from backup and re-download and install your programs, especially those that are not designed for 64-bit OS.

Last Words

This article tells how to change your 32-bit processor to 64-bit in Windows 10.

Follow the steps mentioned so that you can have a 64-bit processor on Windows 10

Have you used the mentioned method?

What other method do you know to change the 32-bit to 64-bit processor in Windows 10?

Share your thoughts and experiences with us.

Sarah Kmz

Sara is a talented author and technology enthusiast with a passion for writing about Windows tips and tricks. She was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and has always had a love for all things related to technology. After completing her degree in Computer Science at the University of Washington, Sara began working as a software developer. She quickly discovered that she had a talent for writing and decided to combine her two passions by starting a blog about Windows tips and tricks. Sara's blog quickly gained popularity and she became known for her clear and concise writing style, as well as her ability to explain complex technical concepts in a way that was easy for anyone to understand. Her blog has become a go-to resource for Windows users looking to optimize their experience and make the most out of their technology. In addition to her work on her blog, Sara is also a prolific writer of technical articles for a number of different publications. Her writing has been featured in numerous technology blogs and websites, and she is widely respected in the industry for her expertise in the field. When she's not writing or working on her blog, Sara enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She is also an avid traveler and is always looking for new places to explore and new experiences to have. Overall, Sara is a talented writer and technology expert who is dedicated to sharing her knowledge with others. Her passion for both technology and writing has made her a respected figure in the industry, and she continues to inspire and educate others through her work on her blog and beyond.

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