Are you Running a 32-bit version of Windows 10 on your 64-bit based System? If yes you are missing lots of advantage that a 64-bit architecture has over 32-bit. This guide is to help you to upgrade your system to Windows 10 64 bit without losing Activation.
Microsoft offers Windows 10 as a free upgrade for computers running a genuine copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
But If you want to upgrade to another Edition for example from Home version to Pro version them you have to Pay. You don’t worry as we are going to change system version not the edition, so it is free.
However if you upgrade from Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 then you will get the same version as that is installed on your system. A 32-bit Windows will upgrade to 32-bit Windows 10 and vice-versa.
There is no direct way to switch from a 32-bit Windows 10 to 64-bit Windows 10. You have to make a backup and then perform a clean install.
Advantages of 64-bit Windows 10
There is no difference between a 32-bit and a 64-bit version of Windows in terms of features.
But a 64-bit version is more powerful at Processor and Ram management. For example, the 64-bit version addresses the 3.5GB of RAM limitation found in the 32-bit version of the operating system. This advantage means that on computers with at least 4GB of RAM, you’ll be able to run more applications simultaneously.
Check if you PC can handle Windows 10 64-bit
A 64-bit version of Windows can only be installed on computers with capable hardware. As such, the first thing you need to do is to determine whether your computer has a 64-bit processor.
Check you System Properties from the Settings app.
- Use the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app.
- Click System.
- Click About.
- Under System type, you will see two pieces of information: if it says 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor, then it means that your PC is running a 32-bit version of Windows 10 on a 64-bit processor. If it says 32-bit operating system, x86-based processor, then your computer doesn’t support Windows 10 (64-bit).This is My PCs Screenshot which is running 64-bit Windows 10 on a 64-bit processor. I also have upgraded the same way.
Good if your System is 64-bit compatible. Now check for some other requires hardware demands. It requires PAE, SSE2, and NX. Microsoft has more information about this here. If you’d like to check before you begin the install process, download and run CPU Z.
“SSE2” will appear under Instructions if it’s supported. “EM64T” or “AMD64” should indicate that PAE is supported. “VT-x” or “VT-d” always indicates that NX is supported.
Do you have 64-bit Driver for Hardware?
64-bit versions of Windows require 64-bit hardware drivers, and the 32-bit versions you’re using on your current Windows 10 system won’t work.
Moreover, If your Computer is new or purchased in recent few years then it will easily get 64-bit drivers. All the computer built with intel’s “i series” supports 64-bit.
Now we are prepared let’s start but first you need to backup your personal files to an external drive or OneDrive, as they will be deleted during the installation process.
Perform a clean install of Windows 10
First Make sure you have your copy of Windows 10 activated. Check it here Settings > Update & security > Activation.
Let’s Create Windows 10 installation USB
- You need to have a USB drive with 4 GB capacity.
- Download Windows 10 Media Creator tool from Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page.
- Download it and open MediaCrationTool.exe file. Accept Terms and Agreements.
- Select the Create installation media for another PC option and Click Next.
- On the next screen, you will not be able to choose 64-bit for it uncheck the Use the recommended options for this PC option.
- Make sure the configuration is same as in the image below and click Next.
- Select the USB flash drive that you have connected and Click Next.
Now you have created an installation media. Let’s do the installation.
Installing Windows 10 64-bit version
- Connect the USB you have created to your PC. Reboot your PC and boot from USB drive.
- Now Windows Setup will start, click Next.
- When The setup asks for Key skip it.
- Click the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option.
- Format the current system drive and continue the installation. Once the setup is completed.
You have done it. Now check you Windows Activation Settings > Update & security > Activation.
You will see something like this
It is activated. Next Step is to check for driver and Windows updates. Install your apps and go on.