How to Upgrade 32 Bit to 64 Bit in Win10/8/7 without Data Loss [MiniTool Tips]

By Vera | Follow | Last Updated March 03, 2021

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Summary :

Have a need to upgrade Windows to 64 bit from 32 bit in Windows 10/8/7 since your memory is not used? How to upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit? This post shows you some things that you should check out, as well as the way to perform Windows 64 bit upgrade.

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Why Upgrade 32 Bit to 64 Bit in Windows 10/8/7

Microsoft offers both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10/8/7. The 32-bit version is also known as the x86 version while the 64-bit version is known as the x64 version.

When installing Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10, you can choose to install 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows. But most of you may choose to install the 64-bit version instead of the 32-bit version. If you have installed a 32-bit operating system, you may change it to a 64-bit system.

Why change 32 bit to 64 bit of Windows OS? This is because the 32-bit version is limited to 4GB of RAM (Ramdon Access Memory), which is a small amount these days when PCs usually have 8GB or more. If you installed many applications at the same time, “your computer is low on memory” error message may appear.

If you want to actually use more than 4GB of RAM resources, probably you need a 64-bit version of Windows. With the additional access to memory, you can run more apps simultaneously and improve performance. And the system improves productivity with memory-intensive tasks, such as virtual machines, video editing, Office-working, and web browsing when dealing with a lot of open tabs.

What’s more, 64-CPU may have backward compatibility, allowing it to run 32-bit programs and may also support running 32-bit operating systems. In this aspects, 64-bit version of Windows may have more benefits than 32-bit.

Besides, it’s not surprising that many applications now require a 64-bit operating system due to that limitation. Moreover, you can run x64 and x86 applications on a 64-bit OS, but that is not possible on a 32-bit OS.

How to Convert 32 Bit to 64 Bit Windows 7/8/10 without Data Loss

In the following paragraphs, we will walk you through four steps to upgrade Windows to 64 bit.

• Make Sure Your Processor Is 64-Bit Capable
• Ensure Your PC Hardware Has 64-Bit Drivers Available
• Back up Your PC
• Upgrade 32 Bit to 64 Bit

Move 1: Make Sure Your Processor Is 64-Bit Capable

To do this work, go to Settings > Systems > About. On the right-hand side of the interface, navigate to the System type entry.

Then, you will see one of the following system type:

1. 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor: Your CPU support 64-bit and you have already installed the 64-bit edition of Windows 10. So, you don’t need to upgrade to 64 bit.
2. 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor: Your CPU supports 64-bit, but you have installed the 32-bit version of Windows.
3. 32-bit operating system, x86-based processor: Your CPU supports 32-bit and you have installed the 32-bit version of Windows.

To be specific, if you see the second entry, you are in luck and you can move on to the next section to continue Windows 10 64 bit upgrade since your 64-bit Central Processing Unit can run a 64-bit version. But if you see the third entry, you cannot install a 64-bit OS since your CPU doesn’t support 64-bit.

Move 2: Ensure Your PC Hardware Has 64-Bit Drivers Available

In addition, you should check whether other components, for example, video and sound cards, can work properly with a 64-bit version of Windows 10. Simply speaking, 64-bit OS requires 64-bit hardware drivers and the 32-bit drivers won’t work.

Modern hardware should certainly offer 64-bit drivers but some old hardware may no longer support and manufacturers may haven’t offered 64-bit drivers. To check for this, please go to your manufacturer support website to see if 64-bit drivers are available for download.

Move 3: Back up Your PC

Since you are making major changes to your operating system, it is indispensable to make a full backup of Windows 10. When you upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit in Windows 10/8/7, your personal files, settings, and applications will be deleted. And the best thing is to back up all the affected files to your external storage devices or USB drive to avoid data loss.

To back up your important files, you need a free backup program to help you. Which one is worth recommending? MiniTool ShadowMaker, a piece of professional file backup software, will be a good option, coming with many powerful features.

With the help of this freeware, you can create an image file for files & folders, Windows operating system, disk or partition. Besides, it can help you to sync files to other locations for backup. Above all, automatic file backup, differential & incremental backup can be created.

Right now, before you free change 32 bit to 64 bit of Windows 10/8/7, get MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial Edition from the following button to back up your crucial files. Note that this edition only allows you to free use for 30 days. If you want to keep this software all the time, get its Pro Edition.

Step 1: Double-click on this program to open it.

Step 2: Which feature should you use to back up files, Backup or Sync? Both are available. And here, you take the first feature as an example.

What do I need to back up my computer? What files should I back up? Now, get the answers to these two questions in this post.

In the Backup window, you need to decide which files to back up and where to save the backup image file. Just go to the Source section and choose personal files you want to back up.

Then, go to the Destination section and choose an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or NAS as the storage path.

Step 3: Finally, start the full backup process of your important files by hitting the Back up Now button.

Now, all operations to back up files are told to you. If you are planning to convert 32 bit to 64 bit of Windows 10/8/7 operating system, don’t hesitate to free download this backup software to prevent your data from losing after upgrading to the 64-bit version of Windows.

Right now, the previous three steps are told to you. Reading here, it is time for you to take action to upgrade Windows 10 32 bit to 64 bit. Just go to the next move to follow the corresponding steps for Windows 10 64-bit version upgrade.

Move 4: Upgrade Windows to 64 Bit

How to convert 32 bit to 64 bit Windows 7/8/10? As mentioned above, performing an upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit version of Windows is actually clean install. Now, follow the steps below to make a reinstallation.

Create a Bootable USB Drive

How can you create bootable USB from ISO in Windows 10 for a clean install? This post will show you the Windows 10 USB tool for ISO to USB.

Here, take Windows 10 64 bit upgrade as an example and we will show you the step-by-step instructions. Right now, insert your USB flash drive with at least 4GB of storage space to your device and to create the 64-bit Windows 10 installation media.

Step 1: Open the official web page to download Windows 10 Media CreationTool.

Step 2: Click Download tool now under Create Windows 10 installation media.

Step 3: Double-click on the MediaCreationTool.exe to run this utility and then accept the Microsoft terms.

Step 4: There are two options. Check the option Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) for another PC.

Step 5: Please choose language and edition. To upgrade Windows 10 to 64 bit, here please specify the 64-bit (x64) option for 64-bit Architecture.

Step 6: Choose the USB flash drive option so as to create a bootable USB drive. Additionally, you can also check the option ISO file but you need to burn the file to a USB drive or CD/DVD. Here, we recommend the first one.

Step 7: Next, all your drives on your computer will be listed. Just choose the USB flash drive from the list to continue.

Step 8: Then, this tool will start downloading needed files and creating a bootable drive from ISO file that is compatible with Windows 10 64 bit. Wait for the process to be finished.

Install Windows 10 64 Bit from Scratch

How to upgrade Windows 7 32 bit to 64 bit without CD or upgrade Windows 8/10 to 64 bit without disk? Now, restart your computer with the bootable USB drive and then follow these steps:

Step 1: After booting your PC from the USB drive, choose language, time and currency format and keyboard.

Step 2: Click Install now to continue.

Step 3: Your purpose is to upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit for Windows 10, so you should click the I don’t have a product key link (assuming your PC has been already properly activated).

Step 4: Choose the edition of Windows 10 to go on.

Step 5: Accept the license terms. To upgrade Windows 10 32 bit to 64 bit, please choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Step 6: You may ask: how to upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit Windows 7/8/10 without formatting? Actually, it is easy. In the following drive list option page, choose the partition(s) with the current installation of Windows, and click the Delete button instead of formatting operation to remove it from the hard drive.

Step 7: Then, click the unallocated space to continue. Then, the setup will install the 64-bit version of Windows 10 on your computer. Later, you need to complete the Out-of-box experience (OOBE) setup the OS with your preferences by following the on-screen directions.

Bottom Line

Want to upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit? Here is the overview that you should do before the upgrade and how to convert 32 bit to 64 bit Windows 7/8/10. Just follow the above guides to start the upgrade operation.

Remember to leave a comment below or contact [email protected] if you have any different idea or question when you change 32 bit to 64 bit.

Upgrade Windows 10 32 Bit to 64 Bit FAQ

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Position: Columnist

Vera is an editor of the MiniTool Team since 2016 who has more than 5 years’ writing experiences in the field of technical articles. Her articles mainly focus on disk & partition management, PC data recovery, video conversion, as well as PC backup & restore, helping users to solve some errors and issues when using their computers. In her spare times, she likes shopping, playing games and reading some articles.

Upgrade 32 Bit to 64 Bit in Windows 10 Without Losing Data

Microsoft gives you the 32-bit version of Windows 10 if you upgrade from the 32-bitВ version of Windows 7 or 8.1. But you can switch to the 64-bitВ version. Why upgrade windows 10 32 bit to 64 bit?В

The reasonВ is that the 32-bit version is limited to 4GB of RAM, which is a small amount. Especially when these daysВ PCs usually have 8GB or more. If you upgrade your computer to 64 bit, you’ll be able to run more applications simultaneously. Other applications like Google Chrome will be able to handle more open tabs, and you will be able to run more memory-intensive applications, such as AutoCAD, Photoshop, and video editing programs, etc.

However, during the period of changing to 64 bit, most people complain that their files got lost. Follow the three steps below to change Windows from 32 bit to 64 bit without losing data!

1. Make Sure 64-Bit is Compatible with Your Processor

You can only install the Windows 64-bit on compatible hardware, that is to say, you have to make sure if your computer has a 64-bit processor. Here we only provide the easiest way for you to check your system type:

• Open the «Start menu».
• Search for «System Information».
• Press «Enter».
• Look for «System Type».В

Then, you will see one of the following system types:

1. 1. 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor: Your CPU supports 64-bit and you have already installed the 64-bit version of Windows 10. So you don’t need to upgrade.
2. 2. 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor: Your CPU supports 64-bit, but you have installed the 32-bit version of Windows.
3. 3. 32-bit operating system, x86-based processor: Your CPU supports 32-bit and you have installed the 32-bit version of Windows.

If you see the second type, then your computer can runВ a 64-bit version of Windows. If you see the third one, it meansВ you can’t install another architecture of the operating system because your CPU doesn’t support it.

2. Back Up Important Files Before Windows 10 64-Bit Upgrade

ToВ avoid data loss, you’d better make a full backup of your PC. While making a full backup of the computer can be time-consuming, we recommend you try a data backup utility — EaseUS Todo Backup, to finish this job quickly and effectively. This software enables you to make a full backup of your computer in one-click. It also helps you make backup schedules.В

Download EaseUS Todo Backup and quickly making a backup of your important files.

Support Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

Step 1:В Open EaseUS Todo Backup and select «File» as the backup mode.

You may have a large amount of vital data to be protected as time goes on, such as documents, pictures, music, and videos, etc. It is always a good habit to have a backup on a regular basis. File Backup is one of the best choices for you to get over unexpected data loss.

Step 2:В Select the files that you want to back up.

Tick the option at the top left corner named User Defined,В you can browse to back up one or some specific file types on your computer or external storage device.

Step 3:В Select a destination to save your backup file.В

You’d better create the backup file in some other storage media or in some other drive. If not, there may be a risk of the backup file getting corrupted or destroyed.

Step 4:В Click «Proceed» to execute your operation.

3. Upgrade Windows 10 32 bit to 64 bit

You’ll need to perform a clean install to get to the 64-bit version of Windows 10 from the 32-bit one, for there’s no direct upgrade path.

First, be sure to check that your current 32-bit version of Windows 10 is activated under Settings > Update & security > Activation.

Step 1. Create the installation media

1. Go toВ Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page. Click the Download tool now button and save the Media Creation Tool on your desktop.

2.В Connect a USB drive with at least 4GB of available space.

3. Double-click the MediaCrationTool.exe file.

4. Click the «Accept» to agree on the terms.

5. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)В for another PC option. Click Next.

6. Uncheck the «Use the recommended options for this PC» option.

7. Make sure to select your language, edition, and, more importantly, the architecture, which in this case is 64-bit (x64). Click Next.

8. Select the USB flash drive option. Click Next.

9. Select the removable drive from the list. Click Next.

Step 2. Windows 10 32 bit to 64-bit installВ

1. Restart your computer and boot from the installation media ( press f2 when you restart > select boot > boot from USB).

2. On «Windows Setup,» click theВ NextВ button.

3.В Click «Install Now», and click the «I don’t have a product key» link to continue.

4.В Select the edition of Windows 10 (if applicable). This selection must match the edition of the license activates.

5. Accept the license terms and continue.

6.В Click the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) option.

7.В Select and delete system partitions — usually: Drive 0 Partition 1 and Drive 0 Partition 2.

8.В Click Next and follow the instructions to install Windows 10.

When you finished the installation, Windows 10 will automatically check in with Microsoft and activate itself. You’ll now be running the 64-bit edition of Windows on your PC. And you need toВ continue with the on-screen directions to finish the out-of-box experience (OOBE) to create a new account, set your preferences, and choose your preferred privacy settings.