Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 8 Windows 7 More...Less
Here are answers to some common questions about the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.
Upgrading from the 32-bit version to the 64-bit version of Windows requires that you reformat your hard disk, install the 64-bit version of Windows, and then reinstall everything else that you had on your device.
Windows 10 and Windows 8.1
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Select the Start button, then select Settings > System> About .
Open About settings -
At the right, under Device specifications, seeSystem type.
Windows7
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Select the Start button
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Under System, see the system type.
To install a 64-bit version of Windows, you need a CPU that's capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows. The benefits of using a 64-bit operating system are most apparent when you have a large amount of random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer, typically 4 GB of RAM or more. In such cases, because a 64-bit operating system can handle large amounts of memory more efficiently than a 32-bit operating system, a 64-bit system can be more responsive when running several programs at the same time and switching between them frequently.
To run a 64-bit version of Windows, your computer must have a 64-bit-capable processor. To find out if your processor is 64-bit-capable, do the following.
Windows 10 and Windows 8.1
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Select the Start button, then select Settings > System> About .
Open About settings -
At the right, under Device specifications, seeSystem type.
Windows 7
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Select the Start button
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SelectView and print detailed performance and system information.
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In the System section, you can see what type of operating system you're currently running under System type, and whether or not you can run a 64-bit version of Windows under 64-bit capable. (If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won't see the 64-bit capable listing.)
Find out how to choose between the 64-bit or 32-bit versionof Office.
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