Upgrade 32 bit To 64 bit ?

Del 80 said:

I notice that one of the other laptops, has only 2gb of RAM, and it runs 64 bit just fine.......so to re-cap.....back up the 32 bit OS to a flash drive......download the OS from one of the 64 bit machines.........clean install it onto the 32 bit machine......if it really is that simple, I might just do it.........I can always add RAM later.......

You don't NEED more than 4GB to run Win 10 or Win 11.
It's just that most people WANT more than 4GB.
And you can only do that on a 64 bit system.

32 bit OS can ONLY use up to 4GB of RAM

Well, It looks like the entire operation is a major success !!.......took about two hours.......it's just installing loads of updates, but the 32bit machine is now a 64bit machine.......Many thanks to all who replied.........EDIT....everything is working o.k.....but it seems to be continually updating, and it says "Your device is missing important security and quality fixes"........is this normal ?.......

Del 80 said:

Well, It looks like the entire operation is a major success !!.......took about two hours.......it's just installing loads of updates, but the 32bit machine is now a 64bit machine.......Many thanks to all who replied.........EDIT....everything is working o.k.....but it seems to be continually updating, and it says "Your device is missing important security and quality fixes"........is this normal ?.......

Continue to get all Windows Upates. You probably have a full two hours of them to download and install. Restart the computer when updates instruct you to do so. Just keep at it until there are no more Windows Updates.

All is good now thanks......took SIX hours, but it is now up to date.......thoroughly enjoyed the entire operation........

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Well, switched the machine on this morning, and watched it go.......much more responsive now, and much faster........thanks to all once again for the advice........I might just do the same with my even older Dell Inspiron laptop.......watch this space !!......

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Tried to upgrade the Inspiron today, to 64 bit........I'm afraid all may be lost, as it did not work, but it has wiped the original os......I suspect there is no way back now ? as I foolishly didn't back things up, and I assume that the license key is lost........if there IS a way back I would love to hear about it !!........EDIT.....Cancel that last comment, the Inspiron is now running 64 bit W10, and all is good !!