How to Choose Between 32-Bit and 64-Bit Windows Operating Systems
32-Bit and 64-Bit: What’s the Difference?
We’ve discussed the differences between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows before, which we’ll summarize briefly here. Whether you can install a copy of 32-bit or 64-bit Windows depends on the processor inside your computer.
Like Windows, modern processors are either 32-bit or 64-bit. 64-bit machines can process much more information at once, making them more powerful.
If you have a 32-bit processor, your only option is to also install 32-bit Windows. Conversely, while it’s possible to install 32-bit Windows on a 64-bit processor, you must run 64-bit Windows to take full advantage of a 64-bit CPU’s benefits.
To see if you have 64-bit Windows installed on Windows 10, head to Settings > System > About. Under the Device specifications header, next to System type, you’ll see if Windows and your processor are 32-bit or 64-bit.
Should I Download 32-Bit or 64-Bit Windows?
Today, 64-bit installations of Windows are much more common than 32-bit versions. However, whether you should install 32-bit or 64-bit Windows depends on your current setup.
If you buy a new PC off the shelf, it most likely includes a 64-bit copy of Windows. Since 64-bit is largely the standard, only low-end machines will ship with a 32-bit processor these days. With a new PC that has a 64-bit version of Windows installed on a 64-bit processor, you’re all set.
When you’re upgrading a current Windows installation, it’s a different story. If you’re upgrading to Windows 10 from an earlier version, first check to see if your processor is 64-bit using the above method.
Installing the Right Version of Windows
While you can still buy a physical copy of Windows 10 at stores like Walmart and Best Buy, the best way to install Windows 10 for most people is through Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page.
Click Download tool now on that page to grab the Media Creation Tool. This will walk you through upgrading your current PC to Windows 10 or creating a bootable USB drive to install Windows on another machine.
When you walk through the steps, the tool will ask you to choose the Architecture for the install, which is where you can pick 64-bit or 32-bit. Windows will recommend an option based on what it detects from your PC. Uncheck the Use the recommended options box if you need to change it based on what you found earlier.
What Are the Advantages of 64-Bit Windows?
Now that you know if you need 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, what does using a 64-bit edition of Windows 10 actually do for you?
The biggest change is that x64 Windows can handle much more RAM than a 32-bit edition. 32-bit operating systems limit you to using 4GB of RAM or less. Thus, any RAM that you have installed over 4GB isn’t usable on 32-bit Windows.
On a 64-bit Windows system, you’ll also notice two different Program Files folders in your system drive. Because 32-bit programs are inherently different from 64-bit software, Windows keeps them separate.
Thus, whenever you install software that’s built for x64 systems, it goes to the Program Files folder. 32-bit software goes into Program Files (x86) instead. On a 32-bit system, you’ll only see one Program Files folder, as it can’t use 64-bit software.
Under the hood, 64-bit Windows is also inherently more secure. Most of the enhancements come from low-level tweaks beyond the scope of this overview; one example is that 64-bit Windows forces drivers to be signed. While these changes don’t make the OS immune to attack, it’s a more modern architecture that isn’t held back by old exploits.
Choosing Between 32-Bit and 64-Bit Software
Some apps, such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Office, are available in a 64-bit flavor. These versions don’t provide massive improvements over the 32-bit versions, but they are a bit more efficient and stable than their 32-bit counterparts.
Heavy programs, like video editors and high-end games, run better in their 64-bit versions. Multi-tasking becomes more efficient, too.
On a 64-bit system, if you have a choice between 32-bit and 64-bit apps, prefer to go with 64-bit for best performance. But there’s nothing wrong with running 32-bit apps on a 64-bit system, as most apps can’t take advantage of the differences anyway.
You can see which apps on your system are 32-bit by opening the Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and checking the Processes tab. Anything with (32 bit) next to its name isn’t 64-bit yet.
