
That said, if you’re still using a 32-bit processor, it may be time to upgrade - the weaker version of Windows 10 has several limitations, like capping out at 3.2GB of RAM and less stringent security measures. If you have a 32-bit version of Windows, for example, and 12GB of RAM in your PC, the system would never see more than 4GB of that memory. This tool allows you to download Windows 10 32-bit or 64-bit (or both) from Microsoft for free. Because you cannot run the 64-bit setup.exe from a 32-bit Windows environment, you will need to do the following: Download and install the Microsoft Media Creation Tool for Windows 10. Microsoft says that it will continue to update the OS with new features and security patches, and will still sell it directly to consumers. How to: Upgrade Windows 10 32-bit to 64-bit - Step by Step. This news doesn’t mean that Microsoft will no longer support computers running 32-bit Windows 10. Spotted by NeoWin in the system requirements for the upcoming Windows update, Microsoft states that, “Beginning with Windows 10, version 2004, all new Windows 10 systems will be required to use 64-bit builds and Microsoft will no longer release 32-bit builds for OEM distribution.” In other words, any computer you buy in the future that has Windows 10 preloaded will be running the 64-bit version. With the era of 32-bit processors winding down, Microsoft is putting the lesser version of its operating system on the back burner. While they look and feel nearly identical, the latter takes advantage of faster and better hardware specs. Windows 10 comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit varieties. If you had a 32-bit versions of Windows 7 or 8.1 installed on your PC and upgraded to Windows 10, Microsoft automatically gave you the 32-bit version of Windows 10.But, if your hardware supports using a 64-bit operating system, you can upgrade to the 64-bit version of Windows for free.
