How to Upgrade Windows from 32 Bit to 64 Bit


  1. Posts : 20
    Windows 8.1
       #1

    How to Upgrade Windows from 32 Bit to 64 Bit


    When I downloaded Windows 8 Pro a few years ago my PC only had 1GB of RAM, so it installed the 32 Bit version. I have since added another GB of RAM. When Windows 10 is released, will I be able to download and install the 64 Bit version, or am I stuck with the 32 Bit version on this PC?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #2

    Hi and welcome to the forums.
    To do that you will have to clean install the 64bit version. You can't upgrade the 32bit to a 64bit OS.

    Jeff
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       #3

    drfocus said:
    When I downloaded Windows 8 Pro a few years ago my PC only had 1GB of RAM, so it installed the 32 Bit version. I have since added another GB of RAM. When Windows 10 is released, will I be able to download and install the 64 Bit version, or am I stuck with the 32 Bit version on this PC?
    Hi 'dr', welcome to W10F1 :)

    What Jeff said, also, your system has to support 64bit architecture.

    How to Upgrade Windows from 32 Bit to 64 Bit-000011.png

    Download Windows 10 Insider Preview iso:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-iso

    How to Upgrade Windows from 32 Bit to 64 Bit-000012.png
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 20
    Windows 8.1
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks for the quick response. I was really wondering if my 32 Bit Win 8 Product Key is going to work if I install the 64 Bit version of Win 10
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 10 Pro (32-bit) 16299.15
       #5

    Edwin said:
    What Jeff said, also, your system has to support 64bit architecture.
    ...also there need to be 64-bit drivers for your hardware. If it only came with 1GB, what was it running originally?

    I think that to keep your 8.1 licence, you'd need to upgrade in-place from 8.1 to Windows 10 when it becomes available on or after 29 July. Then once that's activated OK, Microsoft have said you'd be able to clean install - hopefully at that point you can download an ISO and switch to 64 bit, but I think noone outside Microsoft knows for sure yet.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #6

    drfocus said:
    Thanks for the quick response. I was really wondering if my 32 Bit Win 8 Product Key is going to work if I install the 64 Bit version of Win 10
    No.. each version uses a different key.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 10 Pro (32-bit) 16299.15
       #7

    BunnyJ said:
    No.. each version uses a different key.
    Why do you say that? In Windows 8.x the same key can install 32-bit or 64-bit, and 10 Preview has one key for both 32-bit and 64-bit.

    I'm still hopeful that the approach I mentioned above will work - but we need to know more about how the clean install after activation will work with the live release.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 20
    Windows 8.1
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I have been dual booting the 64 Bit Win 10 on this PC, so it does meet the system requirements for that version.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 20
    Windows 8.1
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks everyone. I appreciate your help.:)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #10

    You also asked this same question here: http://www.eightforums.com/installat...it-64-bit.html
      My Computers


 

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