How to Upgrade From 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10

By: Waseem Patwegar

Windows 10 is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. You will find below the
difference between the two versions and the steps to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit
Windows 10.

Upgrade From 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10

Upgrade From 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10

If you are running 32-bit version Windows 10 on your computer, you are eligible for
upgrade to 64-bit Windows 10 using your existing Windows 10 licence.

While you won�t be getting any additional feature by upgrading from 32-bit to 64
bit Windows 10, you will certainly notice a difference in performance.

The 64-bit version of Windows 10 can handle up to 2TB of RAM, which allows it to
run several Apps at the same time.

In comparison, the 32-bit version can handle only up to 3.75 GB RAM and does not
allow you to run 64-bit gaming Apps on your computer.
How to Check if your Computer Supports 64-bit Version Windows 10

Before going ahead with the steps to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10, you
need to make sure that the processor on your computer is capable of supporting 64-
bit programs.

1. Click on the Start button > Settings Icon.

Windows 10 Start Button and Settings Icon

2. On the Settings screen, click on the System tab.

System Tab on Windows Settings Screen

3. On the next screen, click on About in the left pane. In the right-pane, scroll
down and check the entry System Type under �Device Specifications� section.

System Type Information on About Screen in Windows 10

Your device is compatible with 64-bit programs if the entry next to �System Type�
reads X64-based processor.

If it says x86-based processor, your computer is not suitable for upgrading to 64-
bit Windows 10.

Next, check Installed RAM entry to make sure that your computer has enough RAM to
run 64-bit programs.

Although, the minimum requirement for upgrading to 64-bit version is 2 GB RAM, 64-
bit Windows 10 is more suitable if your computer has a high RAM capacity (over 4GB
RAM).
Verify Driver Compatibility

If your computer is only a few years old, it should already have the required 64-
bit drivers.

However, it still a good idea to make sure that the drivers for graphics and the
sound cards on your computer are compatible with 64-bit version.

You can do this by visiting the device manufacturers website to see if you can find
64-bit version drivers.
Steps to Upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Version Windows 10

There is really no easy way to upgrade your computer from 32-bit to 64-bit version
of Windows 10.

The only way to get 64-bit version of Windows 10 running on your computer is by
performing a clean Install of Windows 10 on your computer.

This means, you need to reformat your hard disk, install the 64-bit version and
reinstall back all the programs and files that you had on your computer.

Hence, the process to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10 can be divided into
the following 4 steps.

Make a Backup of Files on your computer

Create Windows 10 USB Installation Drive
Install 64-bit Windows 10 on your computer using Windows 10 USB Installation
Drive.
Install Updates on your computer

1. Backup Files on Your Computer

The clean installation of 64-bit Windows 10 is going to wipe out all the files and
programs located on the hard disk of your computer.

Hence, it is important that you make a backup of your computer to an external drive
using steps as provided in this guide � How to Backup Windows 10 Computer
2. Create Windows 10 USB Installation Drive

First make sure that you have an empty USB Drive of 8 GB capacity and follow the
steps below to Create Windows 10 USB Installation Drive.

1. Connect the USB Drive (8 GB) to the USB Port of your computer.

2. Next, download Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to your computer from Microsoft�s
Website.

Download Windows Media Creation Tool From Microsoft

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.

Run Windows Media Creation Tool As Admin

Note: you can just double-click on the File in case you are already signed into
Admin Account.

4. When prompted, enter your Admin Password.

5. On the next screen, select Create Installation Media for another PC and click on
Next.

Create Installation Media (USB Flash Drive) For Another PC

6. On the next screen, uncheck Use Recommended Options for this PC, select
Language, Edition of Windows 10 and the Architecture of your computer and click on
Next.

Select Language, Edition and Architecture For Windows Media File

7. On the next screen, choose USB Flash Drive as the download destination for Media
Creation Tool and click on Next.

Choose Media Type For Windows Media Creation Tool

8. Next, select the Removable Drive where you want to download the Media Creation
Tool and click on Next.

Select USB Flash Drive Location to Download Windows Media Creation Files

Wait for Windows 10 Installation Drive to be created and close the Media Creation
Tool once the process has been completed.
3. Install 64-bit Version of Windows 10 on Your Computer

The final step is to install the 64-bit version of Windows 10 on your computer
using Windows 10 USB Installation Drive that we just created.

First make sure that your computer is not connected to any external drives and
follow the steps below to Install 64-bit version Windows 10 on your computer.

1. Insert the Windows 10 USB Installation Drive into the USB port of your computer
and Restart your computer.

Restart Option in Windows 10

2. Your Computer should start with Windows Logo (See image below).

Starting Windows 10 Setup Screen

Note: In case your Computer does not start with Windows Logo, you will have to
change the boot sequence on your computer, in order to make it boot from USB Drive.

3. On the Windows Setup screen, select Language, Time & CurrencyFormat, Keyboard
Layout and click on Next.

Windows 10 Setup Screen

4. On the next screen, Click on Install now option (See image below).

Install Now Option on Windows Setup Screen

5. Skip the option, in case you are prompted to enter your Windows Product Key.

6. Accept Licensing Agreement and click on Next.

7. On the next screen, click on Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option.

Choose Custom Windows 10 Installation Option

8. On the next screen, select the Drive where you want to install 64-bit version
Windows 10 and click on Next.

Select Drive Location for Windows 10 Installation

9. Follow the next set of on-screen directions to complete the installation of 64-
bit Windows 10 on your computer.
4. Install Updates on your computer

After the installation of Windows 10 is completed, make sure that you manually
download the updates and drivers for your computer by following the steps below.

1. Click on the Start button > Settings Icon.

Windows 10 Start Button and Settings Icon

2. On the Settings screen, click on Update & Security.

Update and Security Option in Windows 10 Settings Screen

3. On the next screen, click on Windows Update in the side-menu and click on Check
for Updates button (See image below).

Check For Updates Option in Windows 10

4. Wait for Windows 10 to Check For available Updates and Drivers.

If some of the drivers are not available through Windows Update, take a look at the
website of the manufacturer of your computer to download and install available 64-
bit drivers to your computer.
Benefits of 64-bit Version Windows 10

As far as the features are concerned, there is practically no difference between

32-bit and a 64-bit versions of Windows 10.

However, the 64 bit Windows 10 should offer productivity benefits as it allows you
to open multiple browser tabs and run multiple programs at the same time.

Also, the 64-bit version allows you to run Gaming Apps and programs designed to run
on 64-bit systems.

In comparison, 32-bit Windows 10 can only make use of 3.75 GB RAM, which limits the
number of simultaneous applications that you can run on your computer.