So, switching from a 32-bit to a 64-bit version of Windows 10 isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Clearly, it’s more like a full-blown clean install, which means backing up all your important stuff first. If you’ve been running into limitations with 32-bit—like not enough RAM to run modern apps smoothly—then this upgrade can really boost performance and future-proof your setup. But beware: it’s not a simple toggle. You can’t just upgrade in place; you’ll need to do a clean install. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Here’s the goal: after following these steps, you’ll have a fresh 64-bit Windows 10 running on your machine, ready to handle more RAM and better performance. Just make sure you’re prepared, because you’re about to wipe that drive (well, pretty much).)
How can I upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit version of Windows 10?
Check if your PC can even handle a 64-bit OS
- Press Windows + I and open Settings.
- Go to System > About.
- Look under Device specifications for System type. Here’s where it gets interesting:
- 32-bit operating system, x86-based processor: Sorry, that’s a brick wall. Your CPU is 32-bit only, so no go for the upgrade to 64-bit Windows.
- 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor: Bingo! Your processor can run 64-bit Windows, which means you just need to install the 64-bit version cleanly.
- 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor: Already got the good stuff. No upgrade needed.
If you see you’re stuck with a 32-bit OS, x86 processor, then this guide isn’t for you—yet. But if you’re running a 64-bit CPU, continue with the plan. Sometimes, that info is a little off or outdated, so double-check if possible. Rumor has it that on some setups, the system type info can be wonky, so it’s worth a second lab check or even a CPU info tool online.
Backup everything — trust me, it’s necessary
This is the brutal part: you’re doing a clean install, which means everything on the drive gets wiped out. Not just Windows, but all your files, app settings, and other stuff. So don’t skip this step. Use an external drive or upload everything to a cloud service (OneDrive, Dropbox, whatever).Even small things matter—photos, docs, maybe some game data if you’re feeling nostalgic. It’s better to be safe than sorry, because once you do the clean install, recovery is a pain in the neck.
Make a bootable USB drive with Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Head over to the official Windows 10 download page.
- Hit the Download Tool Now button. It will grab the Media Creation Tool.
- Once downloaded, run
MediaCreationTool.exe. You might get UAC prompts—click yes, of course. - Accept the license terms. Then select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) and hit Next.
- Uncheck the box Use the recommended options for this PC if it pops up. You want to choose your options manually.
- Select USB flash drive (make sure it has at least 8GB free).Hit Next.
- Pick your USB drive from the list and hit Next. Windows will format it and put the install files on it. This might take a few minutes, so grab some coffee.
- Once done, click Finish. Now you’ve got a bootable installer ready.
Change BIOS/UEFI settings to boot from USB
- Shut down your PC (Alt + F4 works, or just power off).
- Plug in that USB stick.
- Power on, but before Windows loads, hit the key to enter BIOS/UEFI—usually F2, Del, or Esc.(Check your motherboard or laptop manual if you’re unsure, because every vendor has its quirks.)
- In BIOS/UEFI: head to the Boot tab or menu. Change the boot order so that your USB device is first. Sometimes it’s called “Boot Priority” or similar.
- Save your changes (F10 usually), then restart. Your PC should boot from the USB now.
Perform that clean Windows 10 install
- Boot from the USB, and you’ll see the Windows Setup screen. Click Next.
- Press Install Now.
- If prompted for a product key, just pick I don’t have a product key or skip this step—it’ll activate later if your device was previously activated.
- Select your Windows edition, if needed, and click Next.
- Accept the license terms, then hit Next.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced). This lets you do a fresh install.
- Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually “Drive 0”), delete the partition to remove old system files, then click Next. Note: deleting partitions will wipe everything, so be sure your backup is ready.
- Follow the prompts, and Windows will install itself from scratch.
Finish up with Windows updates and drivers
- Once Windows boots up, go to Settings > Update & Security.
- Click Check for updates. Wait for Microsoft to download and install patches—your system will likely reboot a few times.
- Head over to your PC manufacturer’s website if you want the latest drivers—think of it as giving your hardware a shot of gratitude. You can also run driver updater tools to help automate this step if manual hunting feels too tedious.
All your essential programs can be re-downloaded from the Microsoft Store or their official sites. And yes, you can now install 64-bit compatible versions of your apps.
So… that’s the gist. If you want to upgrade from a 32-bit Windows 7 or 8 to 64-bit Windows 10 without buying a new license or formatting the disk, there are some deeper tricks—check our other guides for those.
And if anything’s confusing or you run into issues, drop a comment below. Good luck!
Summary
- Check CPU compatibility—make sure it’s 64-bit capable.
- Backup all your stuff; this process wipes drives.
- Create a bootable USB with Windows 10 64-bit.
- Change BIOS boot order to start from USB.
- Perform a clean install, deleting old partitions.
- Update Windows and drivers afterward.
Wrap-up
It’s kinda tedious, but once you get through it, you’ll have a much better snowball of performance thanks to the 64-bit setup. Just double-check your backups, make sure your hardware can handle it, and don’t rush the BIOS fiddling part. It’s always a little nerve-wracking, but once it’s done, it’s pretty rewarding. Fingers crossed this helps someone cut down on those crazy limits.