As you know, today both operating systems and programs installed in their environment are released using the 32 and 64 bit architecture. In this regard, quite often there are a lot of questions about the use of one bit or another for OS and applications, since many users do not fully understand the difference between them, and also do not take into account the pros and cons of their use on each specific computer, not to mention many other factors, the main one of which is support for the selected architecture by the processor. Below it is proposed to consider how to change 32 bits to 64 in terms of the preferred modification of Windows, and along the way learn some of the nuances of using the corresponding versions of some types of software.
OS and programs with 32 or 64 bit architecture: what to prefer?
As for the choice in favor of bit depths of 64 or 32 bit, it is believed that 64-bit operating systems and applications installed in their environment work much faster using just such an architecture, because if we compare them with analogs that have a 32-bit architecture, it takes less time to process the same amount of data.
If we talk exclusively about the operating systems themselves, it can be separately noted that 32-bit operating systems do not see RAM bar above the 4 GB limit and use all the RAM to the maximum. But in 64-bit operating systems, you can easily install programs with a bit capacity of 32 bits (the Program Files (x86) directory is usually used for this), and with 64-bit architecture in the standard Program Files directory. However, when you try to install both the system and the software you need to work, you immediately need to find out exactly what bit capacity your installed Windows version has, and when replacing it with a 64-bit architecture, make sure that the processor meets all the criteria.
How do I know the bit depth of a Windows system and support for the required processor architecture?
Getting brief information about the system already on the computer can be quite simple by using the computer properties, system information (msinfo32), the DirectX dialog (dxdiag), the applet for determining the current version (winver) , etc.
You can find out if the processor supports 64-bit architecture, either in the same system information, or using special information applications (AIDA64, Speecy, CPU-Z programs, etc.).
This is only necessary for those cases when you are going to replace the existing 32-bit system with the OS of 64-bit modification.
Is it possible to change the bit depth of an installed OS without data loss?
Now about sore. Most Windows users naturally ask themselves questions about how to change 32 bits to 64, if we are talking exclusively about the architecture of the operating system itself, while preserving user programs. Alas, for a single-generation OS, without reinstalling using the so-called clean installation, this will not work (unless you create a backup of all programs and files, which does not always help). It means that if you have installed 32-bit Windows 7, you won’t be able to install the 64-bit modification on top of it. But the only loophole is still there. It is quite simple to change the architecture by upgrading an existing modification to a higher one (for example, when switching from Windows 7 or 8 to the tenth version).
Windows OS: how to change 32 bits to 64?
We will not describe the upgrade process, but dwell only on the most important points. How to change 32 bits to 64 for Windows itself when upgrading its version?
The easiest way to perform such actions is through the use of a proprietary program from Microsoft called the Media Creation Tool.
After it starts, you need to select a computer update, and at one of the stages indicate that during the installation process you need to save your files and already installed programs. As a rule, there are no special difficulties here, and applications that previously worked in the environment of the same “seven” behave fine in the tenth modification.
Note: the only difficulty can sometimes be that you may need to change the partition style from MBR to GPT. It is better to take care of this in advance by performing the necessary actions, for example, in the AOMEI Partition Assistant program, even without the required formatting of the partition that is being converted.
The nuances of using some programs
How to change 32 bits to 64 for Windows, in general terms, I think, is understandable. As for the software that can be used in 64-bit systems, it is often possible to meet situations when, when installing an application, the main 64-bit modification and its analogue with a capacity of 32 bits are integrated into the system. Both installed versions will work without question. But in a 32-bit OS, a 64-bit program will not install at all.
Another interesting aspect can be considered on the example of the well-known and popular musical sequencer FL Studio.
Even when starting the main program shell with 32 bits in the editor, you can still use additional plug-ins (VST, RTAS, AAX) with 64-bit architecture. But the operating system should be exclusively 64-bit.
Epilogue
Approaching the final line, several main conclusions can be made:
- 64-bit systems and programs with full compliance with the requirements of the PC hardware are faster;
- 64-bit operating systems support more RAM;
- it is impossible to change the capacity of systems of the same rank without reinstalling and support from the hardware components;
- You can increase the bit depth of the OS only by upgrading (not applicable to Windows 10).
Note: if you are still thinking about switching to a newer version of Windows, first make sure that the configuration of your PC or laptop meets at least the minimum system requirements from the OS itself. Note also that on some computers and laptops only with minimal compliance, installing the "top ten" is not recommended, because it will work completely different from what it is supposed to (it will constantly slow down, give errors, hang up, etc.).