My devices are pretty old, are they gonna work on 64-bit Win 10 ?

Hey,

I'm thinking about switching from Win 10 32-bit to 64-bit today or tomorrow. But my mouse, keyboard and monitor and pretty old and is that a problem? I don't know if it even matters but are they gonna work on a 64-bit OS?

Mouse, keyboard and monitor do not matter.

swarfega said:

Your cpu can handle 64-bit but we'd need a complete breakdown of all your computer's components. You can use this program to find the information if you're not sure.

Here are all my specs and parts: HP Pavilion Slimline s5130at Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP(R) Customer Support

Also, my Windows is activated digitally with my MS account, if I install 64-bit is it gonna auto activate when I log in? I started downloading it on a flash drive and it said it might need a product key.

Hi there

Unfortunately you can't upgrade frpm 32 to 64 bit OS --but what still works is if you have a RETAIL 64 bit version of W7 / W8 W8.1 (not Enterprise) you can use the keys from those products.

You might find modern monitors etc don't have VGA (Old fashioned Monitor cable) input but USB mouse / keyboard still work - as do OS/2 --> USB adapters.

Other old legacy hardware probably won't work as they will need modern 64 bit drivers. (You could run a 32 bit VM of course !!!).

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

Unfortunately you can't upgrade frpm 32 to 64 bit OS --but what still works is if you have a RETAIL 64 bit version of W7 / W8 W8.1 (not Enterprise) you can use the keys from those products.

You might find modern monitors etc don't have VGA (Old fashioned Monitor cable) input but USB mouse / keyboard still work - as do OS/2 --> USB adapters.

Other old legacy hardware probably won't work as they will need modern 64 bit drivers. (You could run a 32 bit VM of course !!!).

Cheers
jimbo

What's the reason that I can't upgrade to 64-bit?

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

Unfortunately you can't upgrade frpm 32 to 64 bit OS --but what still works is if you have a RETAIL 64 bit version of W7 / W8 W8.1 (not Enterprise) you can use the keys from those products.

@BicycleRow doesn't need a product key because he or she already has Windows 10 32-bit installed and activated. During the installation process, just click the little link for I Don't Have a Product Key and once connected to the internet Windows 10 will activate itself again assuming you install the same version (Home or Pro) onto the same computer. 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 10 use the same license - if they are the same version (Home or Pro).

As @alphanumeric pointed out, a Microsoft Account is not even required for it.

BicycleRow said:

What's the reason that I can't upgrade to 64-bit?

You can't go from 32-bit to 64-bit with an upgrade. You have to do a clean install to switch.

NavyLCDR - Yeah, I know. That's what I meant by "upgrading". I'm gonna download it on a flash drive tomorrow but I wanna be 100% sure there won't be any problems before I do it.

Just a few more questions: Does 64-bit use more RAM and CPU? Will my rig get a bit slower if I install 64-bit? I've read on a site that it uses more. But if so, how much?

I currently have 3.12 GB of RAM available. Will I be able to use all 4 GB, or at least a little more, with 64-bit?
And are there any downsides of running it under 4 GB of RAM?