Why some 2GB HP/Compaq laptops come with x64 installed?

32bit OSs are depreciated all the time as well as SW. 64bit OS can run 32bit applications too but x86 can't run 64bit apps, so it's more versatile. It also isn't all about just amount of RAM, 64bit OS and SW car run more efficiently than 32bit because most if not all modern processors are 64bit. Even phones come with 4 or more RAM so most laptops and such can also upgrade to 4GB of more and than 64bit OS makes even more sense.

eLPuSHeR said:

That laptop has got serious issues with free space, so I was thinking x86 version would take up a little less space. Anyway after two failed attempts of updating w10 to 1709, I am waiting for the Spring Creators Update. I will perform a clean installation then.

It doesn't take less space and same free space is required for update but that could be cleaned up a bit. Update creates windows.old folder so at least that much and some more space is required for update, typically some 20GB. Clean install may be easier because it starts with empty disk but other things like drivers or other incompatibilities may interfere. It would be essential to prepare all drivers in that case.

CountMike said:

It doesn't take less space and same free space is required for update...

Beg to differ, you'll see that the x86 install.esd for 1709 is smaller than the x64 one by about 24%, a difference that's also reflected in the installed OS it produces. I have x64 and x86 installed on separate machines.



The CUs are smaller too.


http://www.catalog.update.microsoft....(KB4089848)%20

eLPuSHeR said:

I am currently trying to update an HP slim laptop which comes with only 32GB of storage space. I do not want to format but it is giving me trouble trying to free up some space. I have noticed that this 2GB RAM laptop comes with w10 x64 installed (GPT partition scheme). Shouldn't be better going the x86 route? It doesn't even have a dedicated graphic card.

What do you think?

PS - I think UEFI boot forces you into x64, right? So the way to proceed would be enabling Legacy boot support in BIOS and clearing the disk and recreate all partitions with the MBR scheme.

PS2 - By Googling for info I have found that UEFI BIOS must be matched with Operating System Architecture. So if the laptop comes with x64 preinstalled, then UEFI is 64bits and cannot boot any x86 installation at all.

Still, all opinions are welcome.

I'm curious to know your 32gb drive, is it by chance a 32gb eMMC ?

First, let me make it clear that the UEFI standard is not restricted to 64bit. Many tablets use UEFI 32bit. The restriction lies in the ways pcs implement the standard. In simple terms most use a firmware that will only boot UEFI as 64bit.
Equally some devices can only boot 32bit UEFI.

I have never heard of a device capable of booting either in UEFI.

So, it is 99.9999% certain, the only way of installing 32bit on your device is if it supports 32bit legacy bios.

If not, you are stuck with a 64bit version.

So does pc have option in bios to boot from legacy bios?