Today, increasingly, users of modern personal computers are faced with the concept of 64-bit systems. In particular, starting with the Windows 7 operating system and above, the “OSes” support 64-bit architecture. Considering the functioning details and technical principles, we will try to find a solution to the problem when a 64-bit system is available for installation. How to switch to it from a 32-bit version of the operating system?
A bit of history
Before asking a solution to such a problem, it is necessary to highlight some historical points related to the emergence of what we today call systems with 64-bit architecture.
As you know, it all depends on the capabilities of the processors. Initially, they used 8-bit, then 16-bit and, finally, 32-bit applications, the support of which was made possible thanks to the latest generation of processors in the form of the first-born of this i486 series.
For a long time, this was considered the most modern development, until Microsoft introduced the world a new "OS". It became a 64-bit Windows system (although there was also a 32-bit version).
When testing it, it became clear that processors oriented to the 32-bit architecture are simply physically unable to address memory requests in excess of 4 GB (this figure is actually even less - 3.5 GB). This is considered the absolute limit of the 32-bit platform. But in the world of computer technology, there have been many innovations such as MMX multimedia commands, which have required more and more resources. So it turned out that, on the one hand, a 64-bit operating system was released, and on the other, new, 2- and 4-core processors appeared that could work with it.
Incidentally, the invention for the 64-bit Windows operating system is not Microsoft's own development. The fact is that the first 64-bit system appeared back in 1985 and was called UNICOS. But at one time she remained unclaimed.
64-bit system: advantages
As for the main features and advantages of 64-bit systems, it is obvious that with the appropriate equipment they can process data streams twice as fast. With their appearance, it became possible to increase RAM to unimaginable limits. Today it is 192 GB.
Of course, it is very doubtful that one of the users will be able to reach this ceiling. Wait! Computer games that use complex graphics are developing very rapidly, so raising the bar for using "RAM" is just around the corner.
As for 32-bit systems, they do not allow you to install more than 4 GB (as mentioned above). On older machines , you still need to think about the feasibility of such a transition (even if there is support for 64-bit architecture), since the new operating system will work much slower, if only because it will very heavily load system resources.
Outdated issues
If you are already wondering how to make the transition to a 64-bit system, you should immediately note the moment associated with the equipment installed on a computer or laptop.
First of all, this applies to the processor itself. First you need to find out its modification (say, using the Everest utility), and then on the manufacturer’s website see if it supports 64-bit capacity.
The same applies to other equipment such as hard drives, scanners, printers, etc. It may well be that after installing the 64-bit system they will not work at all. The fact is that for such equipment there are no drivers in their own database of Windows 7, 8 or 10, and the developers themselves simply do not release new drivers for outdated equipment.
64-bit system: how to switch?
Now let's look at the main issue of switching to the 64-bit version of the Windows operating system. Many users purchase or download a distribution kit that has a 64-bit system. How to switch to it without reinstalling? The question to which a definite answer can be given: no way. Let’s explain why.
This is due not so much to file systems as to the system architecture itself. It simply does not provide for updating the 32-bit version to the 64-bit version, although the file systems may be the same (for example, NTFS). For system disks and partitions, FAT32 is not supported.
But in 64-bit systems, you can run 32-bit applications and programs without problems (but not vice versa).
As for the installation, it is necessary to use the original installation disk and, as the main action, format the hard drive and logical partitions according to the proposed scheme. It goes without saying that valuable information must first be stored on removable media, and previously installed programs and applications will have to be reinstalled. As mentioned above, it’s okay that they are designed for 32-bit systems.
Reverse actions
Installation is complete, and we have a 64-bit system on our computer. How to switch to a 32-bit operating system if something does not suit you? Again, no way. A complete reinstall will be required. Note that in both cases this applies not only to the “OS” itself, but also to absolutely all drivers, since they are also designed for use in systems with a certain bit depth (x86 or x64).
In this case, it will be possible to leave the NTFS file system or format in FAT32.
Total
Here, in fact, everything on the topic "64-bit system: how to upgrade from 32-bit versions." In principle, there is nothing complicated about this. The only thing that every user should understand: in this case, mandatory formatting and a complete reinstallation of the operating system are necessary. With the usual means of updating, or in some other way, this simply will not work.
In addition, preliminary testing of “hardware” hardware for compatibility with the new version of the operating system, as well as the question of the advisability of installing 64-bit Windows on low-power machines, is also important. Since you can simply achieve the opposite effect, when performance will be weakened by using the resources of the "OS itself".