32-bit and 64-bit Windows: Frequently asked questions
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
Select the Start button, then select Settings > System > About .
Open About settings
At the right, under Device specifications, see System type.
Windows 7
Select the Start button 
, right-click Computer, and then select Properties.
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
Select the Start button, then select Settings > System > About .
Open About settings
At the right, under Device specifications, see System type.
Windows 7
Select the Start button , and then select Control Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and then, in the list of results, select Performance Information and Tools.
Select View and print detailed performance and system information.
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.)
Windows Processor Requirements
This specification details the processors that can be used with Customer Systems that include Windows Products (including Custom Images). Updates to this specification may be released in the future as requirements change.
For each listed edition, Company must use only the processors listed, as specified in the tables below. The requirements below apply whenever the edition below is pre-installed or provided on external media, including as downgrade or down edition software.
For clarity, Company must also meet all processor and other requirements specified in Minimum Hardware Requirements for Windows 10, located at https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/hardware/dn915086(v=vs.85).aspx (or updated URL).
If after the inclusion of a processor series in this specification (“Listed Processor”), a processor becomes commercially available that uses the same naming convention or identifier as a Listed Processor but has additional or different features or functionality (“New Processor”), Company must not use New Processor for Customer Systems without Microsoft’s prior written permission. If Company believes a processor has been omitted from this list, please contact Company’s Microsoft OEM or ODM Account Manager.
The processors listed in the tables below, represent the latest processor generations and models which are supported for the listed Windows Edition. Previous generations of processors and models (indicated by «Up through»), remain supported in addition to the listed processors and models.
Some product editions or edition/processor configurations listed below may have no or limited support. Information on support is available at Microsoft Support Policy (https://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle) and Microsoft Lifecycle FAQ (https://support.microsoft.com/help/18581). For specific hardware support, please refer to your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) provider.
Windows Client Edition Processors
| Windows Edition | Intel Processors | AMD Processors | Qualcomm Processors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 7 and earlier editions | Up through the following 6th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-6xxx, Core m3/m5/m7-6xxx, and Xeon E3-xxxx v5), and through series equivalent Intel Atom, Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 6th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-8xxx & E-Series Ex-8xxx & FX-870K) | N/A |
| Windows 8.1 | Up through the following 6th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-6xxx, Core m3/m5/m7-6xxx, and Xeon E3-xxxx v5), and through series equivalent Intel Atom, Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 6th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-8xxx & E-Series Ex-8xxx & FX-870K) | N/A |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 1507 | Up through the following 6th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-6xxx, Core m3/m5/m7-6xxx, and Xeon E3-xxxx v5), and through series equivalent Intel Atom, Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 6th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-8xxx & E-Series Ex-8xxx & FX-870K) | N/A |
| Windows 10 1511 | Up through the following 7th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-7xxx, Core m3-7xxx, and Xeon E3-xxxx v6), and Intel Atom, Celeron, and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx) | N/A |
| Windows 10 1607 | Up through the following 7th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-7xxx, Core m3-7xxx, and Xeon E3-xxxx v6), Intel Atom, Celeron, and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx) | N/A |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 1607 | Up through the following 7th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-7xxx, Core m3-7xxx, and Xeon E3-xxxx v6), Intel Atom, Celeron, and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx) | N/A |
| Windows 10 1703 | Up through the following 7th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-7xxx, Core m3-7xxx, and Xeon E3-xxxx v6) and 8th Generation Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-8xxxU), Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron, and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx), AMD Athlon 2xx, and AMD Ryzen 3/5/7 2xxx | N/A |
| Windows 10 1709 | Up through the following 8th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-8xxxK/U/H/G, and Intel Xeon E-21xx [1] ), Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx); AMD Athlon 2xx, AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/Threadripper 2xxx, AMD Opteron [2] and AMD EPYC 7xxx [2] Processors | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 |
| Windows 10 1803 | Up through the following 9th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-9xxx), and Intel Xeon E-21xx [1] ), Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx); AMD Athlon 2xx, AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/Threadripper 2xxx, AMD Opteron [2] and AMD EPYC 7xxx [2] Processors | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and 850 |
| Windows 10 1809 | Up through the following 10th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-10xxx), and Intel Xeon W-12xx/W-108xx [1] , Intel Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx [1] , Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx); AMD Athlon 2xx processors, AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/Threadripper 2xxx, AMD Opteron [2] and AMD EPYC 7xxx [2] | Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 1809 | Up through the following 10th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-10xxx), and Intel Xeon W-12xx/W-108xx [1] , Intel Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx [1] , Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx); AMD Athlon 2xx processors, AMD Ryzen 3/5/7 4xxx, AMD Opteron [2] and AMD EPYC 7xxx [2] | N/A |
| Windows 10 1903 | Up through the following 11th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-11xxx), and Intel Xeon W-12xx/W-108xx [1] , Intel Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx [1] , Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx); AMD Athlon 2xx processors, AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/9/Threadripper 3xxx, AMD Opteron [2] and AMD EPYC 7xxx [2] | Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 and 8cx |
| Windows 10 1909 | Up through the following 11th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-11xxx), and Intel Xeon W-12xx/W-108xx [1] , Intel Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx [1] , Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx); AMD Athlon 2xx processors, AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/9/Threadripper 3xxx, AMD Opteron [2] and AMD EPYC 7xxx [2] | Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 and 8cx |
| Windows 10 2004 | Up through the following 11th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-11xxx), and Intel Xeon W-12xx/W-108xx [1] , Intel Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx [1] , Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx); AMD Athlon 2xx processors, AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/9 4xxx, AMD Opteron [2] and AMD EPYC 7xxx [2] | Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 and 8cx |
| Windows 10 20H2 | Up through the following 11th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7-11xxx), and Intel Xeon W-12xx/W-108xx [1] , Intel Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx [1] , Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx), Celeron and Pentium Processors | Up through the following AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx); AMD Athlon 2xx processors, AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/9 4xxx, AMD Opteron [2] and AMD EPYC 7xxx [2] | Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 and 8cx |
[1] Intel Xeon processors are supported on Windows 10 Pro for Workstations and Windows 10 Enterprise only
[2] AMD Opteron and AMD EPYC processors are supported on Windows 10 Pro for Workstations and Windows 10 Enterprise only
Windows IoT Core Processors
| Windows Edition | Intel Processors | Qualcomm Processor | Broadcom | NXP Processors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 1703 | Up through currently enabled Intel Joule, Atom, Celeron and Pentium Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Broadcom Processors [3] | N/A |
| Windows 10 1709 | Up through currently enabled Intel Joule, Atom, Celeron and Pentium Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Broadcom Processors [3] | N/A |
| Windows 10 1803 | Up through currently enabled Intel Joule, Atom, Celeron and Pentium Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Broadcom Processors [3] | N/A |
| Windows 10 IoT Core 1809 (SAC) | Up through currently enabled Intel Atom, Celeron and Pentium Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Broadcom Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled NXP i.MXProcessors [3] |
| Windows 10 IoT Core 1809 (LTSC) | Up through currently enabled Intel Atom, Celeron and Pentium Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled Broadcom Processors [3] | Up through currently enabled NXP i.MXProcessors [3] |
[3] Information on which processors are currently enabled is available atВ /windows/iot-core/learn-about-hardware/socsandcustomboards
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
Review the Windows Client Edition Processors support matrix above for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise.
NOTE: The processor support matrix only reflects the core OS support for the processor. There may be other dependencies like hardware-specific drivers which are not reflected in this matrix. Please contact your OEM or processor manufacturer for hardware-specific support.
Windows Server Processors
| Windows Edition | Intel Processors | AMD Processors | Hygon Processors [6] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2012 R2 [4] | Up through the following 7th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3-7xxx/Celeron/Pentium; Xeon E3 v6); Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx; Xeon D 15xx; and Atom C33xx | Up through the following AMD 7th generation processors (AMD A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx), AMD Ryzen Family, AMD EPYC 7xx1, AMD EPYC 7xx2, and AMD EPYC 7xx3 | N/A |
| Windows Server 2016 [5] | Up through the following 9th Generation Intel Processors (Core i3-9xxx, Pentium G5xxx, Celeron G49xx); Xeon E22xx; Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx; Xeon D 21xx; and Atom C33xx | Up through the following AMD 7th generation processors (AMD A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx), AMD Ryzen Family, AMD EPYC 7xx1, AMD EPYC 7xx2, and AMD EPYC 7xx3 | N/A |
| Windows Server 2019 | Up through the following 9th Generation Intel Processors (Core i3-9xxx, Pentium G5xxx, Celeron G49xx); Xeon E22xx; Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx; Xeon D 21xx; and Atom C33xx | Up through the following AMD 7th generation processors (AMD A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx), AMD Ryzen Family, AMD EPYC 7xx1, AMD EPYC 7xx2, and AMD EPYC 7xx3 | Hygon C86 7xxx |
[4] Company may submit for certification (in the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program) Customer Systems running Windows Server 2012R2 and the identified processors until December 31, 2018; after such date, no new Customer Systems will be certified running Windows Server 2012R2.
[5] Microsoft continues to evaluate the processor list and potential end dates for certification (in the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program) for Customer Systems running Windows Server 2016.
[6] China Market Only
NOTE: The list of supported processors above does not in itself determine Microsoft support for Windows Server. The listing is a prerequisite for system certification. Only systems based on the above approved processors can be certified for Windows Server.
