When I downloaded Windows 8 Pro a few years ago my PC only had 1GB of RAM, so it installed the 32 Bit version. I have since added another GB of RAM. When Windows 10 is released, will I be able to download and install the 64 Bit version, or am I stuck with the 32 Bit version on this PC?
Hi and welcome to the blog.
To do that you will have to clean install the 64bit version. You can't upgrade the 32bit to a 64bit OS.
Jeff
Hi 'dr', welcome to W10F1When I downloaded Windows 8 Pro a few years ago my PC only had 1GB of RAM, so it installed the 32 Bit version. I have since added another GB of RAM. When Windows 10 is released, will I be able to download and install the 64 Bit version, or am I stuck with the 32 Bit version on this PC?
What Jeff said, also, your system has to support 64bit architecture.
Download Windows 10 Insider Preview iso:
Thanks for the quick response. I was really wondering if my 32 Bit Win 8 Product Key is going to work if I install the 64 Bit version of Win 10
...also there need to be 64-bit drivers for your hardware. If it only came with 1GB, what was it running originally?What Jeff said, also, your system has to support 64bit architecture.
I think that to keep your 8.1 licence, you'd need to upgrade in-place from 8.1 to Windows 10 when it becomes available on or after 29 July. Then once that's activated OK, Microsoft have said you'd be able to clean install - hopefully at that point you can download an ISO and switch to 64 bit, but I think noone outside Microsoft knows for sure yet.
No.. each version uses a different key.Thanks for the quick response. I was really wondering if my 32 Bit Win 8 Product Key is going to work if I install the 64 Bit version of Win 10
Why do you say that? In Windows 8.x the same key can install 32-bit or 64-bit, and 10 Preview has one key for both 32-bit and 64-bit.No.. each version uses a different key.
I'm still hopeful that the approach I mentioned above will work - but we need to know more about how the clean install after activation will work with the live release.
I have been dual booting the 64 Bit Win 10 on this PC, so it does meet the system requirements for that version.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate your help.
You also asked this same question here:
