Starting with the May 2020 update, version 2004, Microsoft no longer releases 32-bit versions of Windows 10 alongside their 64-bit updates. So while you can continue using the operating system by simply no longer updating it, doing so opens you up to security vulnerabilities, system instability, and other issues.
What Does it Cost to Upgrade 32-bit Windows 10?
Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows is totally free, and you don’t even need to have access to your original product key. As long as you have a valid version of Windows 10, your license extends to a free upgrade. All you need in order to go through with this upgrade is a computer with a 64-bit central processing unit (CPU) that’s running 32-bit Windows, a way to back up your data, and a USB drive with a storage capacity of at least 8GB.
Upgrading From Windows 10 32-bit to 64-bit Without Losing Data
Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows entails a clean install. That means your primary storage system is erased and the new 64-bit version of Windows is installed. So, before you do anything else, you’ll need to back up all your important data. To perform this type of upgrade without losing data, you will have to carefully back everything up before you proceed. If you just have some photos and other small documents to back up, then you can just use a cloud service like Dropbox or OneDrive. We also maintain an exhaustive list of great cloud services to help you choose the right one. If you have a lot of data to back up, then uploading it all to the cloud may not be an option. In that case, you’re better off backing everything up locally to a large external USB drive. You can also back everything up to a local network accessed storage (NAS) drive if you have one. If you’re having trouble with this, there are a lot of free backup tools that can help. There are a lot of ways to back up your data, but the bottom line is you will have to choose one and back everything up before you upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10.
How to Check 64-bit Compatibility
Before you proceed, you need to make sure that you have a 64-bit CPU. If you don’t, you won’t be able to go through with this upgrade. Here’s how to check if your computer is compatible with this upgrade: When examining the device specifications section in Windows 10, you will find some useful information. The specific thing you’re looking for is the “system type” section. Here are the different things you can see there along with what each one means:
32-bit operating system, x86-based processor: Your computer has a 32-bit processor, so you cannot upgrade to Windows 10. You may be able to upgrade your CPU if the motherboard supports it, but in most cases you will need a more substantial hardware upgrade or a new computer.32-bit operating system, x64-based processor: You currently have 32-bit Windows, but your 64-bit processor supports an upgrade. You can proceed to the next section and start upgrading your Windows installation.64-bit operating system, x64-based processor: You already have the 64-bit version of Windows 10. No further action is required.
How to Create the 64-bit Windows 10 Installation Media
Microsoft makes it pretty easy to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10, but the process can be a bit confusing if you’ve never done it before. First, you need to download something called the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. This tool allows you to create installation media using a USB drive, which can then be used to replace your 32-bit version of Windows 10 with the 64-bit version. Once you have the USB drive with the necessary files on it, you can use it to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10. Here’s how to create the 64-bit Windows 10 installation media:
How to Upgrade From 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10
Now that you have successfully prepared a USB flash drive with the necessary files, you’re ready to upgrade your installation of Windows 10 from 32-bit to 64-bit. This process is exactly the same as installing or upgrading Windows, with the exception that it uses your current Windows license and doesn’t require a product key.
Language: The language you use on the PC you’re upgrading.Edition: The same edition of Windows that’s already on the PC you’re upgrading.Architecture: 64-bit (x64)
Then click Next. Here’s how to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 10:
What to Do After Upgrading Windows 10 to 64-bit
After you finish the upgrade, you no longer have to worry about Microsoft ending support for 32-bit systems. You will, however, have to take a few steps to get your system back to where it was before you started. Here are the most important tasks to undertake after completing this upgrade:
Check for and install any available Windows 10 updates. Update your drivers to the newest 64-bit versions. Download your cloud backup, or move your locally backed up files to your computer. Download and install the 64-bit versions of all your applications.
