How to Switch From 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10

You can upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10 if you have the required hardware support. Let’s say if you are currently having 32-bit Windows 7 or 8. And you have 64-bit supported hardware. Now since you are having 32-bit OS, first you need to upgrade to 32-bit Windows 10. Then you can upgrade to 64-bit Windows 10.

Check whether your PC supports 64-bit.

1. Open the Settings from your Start menu
2. Select System
3. Select About
4. Check System type on the right side. Here you can find whether it is 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor. If it is there, then it can run a 64-bit version

Check Whether the CPU Have the Required Features

• Windows 10 requires PAE, SSE2, and NX
• Your PC needs support for CMPXCHG16b
• To check whether the above are supported or not, then download and run CPU Z
  • SSE2 : Appears under Instructions if supported
  • EM64T or AMD64 : Shows that PAE is supported
  • VT-x or VT-d: Shows that NX is supported

Check Whether your hardware support 64-bit Drivers

• Go to the hardware manufacturer’s driver download web pages
• Check if 64-bit drivers are available
• If they are present, then you can proceed for the installation process
• You do not need to download these 64-bit drivers as they will be by default included in Windows 10

How to Upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10:

1. Back-up all your data
2. Then do a clean installation
3. Upgrade to 32-bit Windows 10 if not done yet.
4. Check that the Windows version installed is activated
   1. Go to Settings
   2. Open Update & security
   3. Look for Activation
5. Download and run the 32-bit Windows 10 media creation tool from Microsoft
6. Select Create installation media for another PC
7. The tool will help you to create a USB drive or burn a disc with Windows 10
   1. Proceed through tool wizard
   2. Select 64-bit installation media when prompted for
   3. Reboot the computer
   4. Boot from installation media created
8. Now install Windows 10
   1. Select Custom install
   2. Skip whenever you are asked to enter a product key
   3. Once it gets installed, Windows will auto detect and activate itself
   4. That installs your 64-bit Windows 10 on your PC

In any case if your system does not support 64-bit Windows 10, you will be prompted. Then you can easily downgrade it to 32-bit Windows 10. We hope the article helped you upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10.