W10 64-bit installing 32-bit software by default?

Hi there,

I have upgraded my W7 64-bit to W10-64bit some time ago and been testing W10 since then.

I had some random crashes and BSODs which I could not find the reason why as my W7 was running pristine.

Last week I had a crash for Visual Basic C++ Runtime Error and the file that crashed was my Chrome. Looking on Task Manager I then realised that not only my Chrome but all my other software installed are running on 32-bit versions.

I have then manually uninstalled chrome and downloaded the 64-bit version manually and installed and now it shows normal (no more 32-bit in between brackets) and I no longer get the pop up crash.

I wonder why is W10 installing 32-bit software by default if my OS is 64-bit? Will I have to manually uninstall every single software and force a manual installation of 64-bit? Is there a way to fix it?

Thanks

Liana

Most software are still running in 32-bit.
A 64-bit OS is perfectly capable to run 32-bit programs. You probably will find many programs you have installed are 32-bit.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as Chrome, CCleaner etc.

P.S. In my 64-bit Win10 Home, I have Chrome 32-bit installed and it does not give me any issues.

In some cases the 32 bit version of a program will be the preferred option. Microsoft recommends the 32 bit version of Microsoft Office unless you have a particular need for the 64 bit version. The 32 bit version has better compatibility with third party extensions which are often not compatible with the 64 bit version. 64 bit browsers often have the same problem.

Also be aware that 64 bit applications will usually require more memory and will in some cases be slower.

With Chrome I noticed that the 32bit version is quite a bit faster than the 64bit version. And have a look into your program files. Most programs are in X86.

Actually the download page for chrome is confusing. You have to select other rather than clicking download, so you get to get a link that says 64bit download. I only discovered I had the 32bit version installed myself the other day, after several years!

See, it took several years to discover it and you were not unhappy. I think best is to leave it alone.

See, it took several years to discover it and you were not unhappy. I think best is to leave it alone.

I have upgraded to 64bit as it is allegedly more secure.

I was happy (and blind) with the 32 bit version of Chrome until it started crashing. Even if it's faster, if becomes incompatible with my computer to the point of crashing instead of working as intended, then is no point in using 32 bit

Just got puzzled why all the other programs are running on 32 bit too if it was upgraded by W10 from my W7 64 and all my programs on W7 were 64 bit versions...

Thanks everyone for the reply Have a nice day.

Actually found I had chrome 32 bit and went out of my way to install the 64 bit version. Then found that some websites (eg BBC news) wouldn't play videos on the 64 bit so reverted back to 32 bit. Guess the 32 bit version is more stable/has fewer compatability problems.

Whether a program is 32 bit or 64 bit is a basic characteristic of what it is and cannot be changed. Some applications will give you a choice but once the application is installed that is cast in stone and is unchangeable. Even a small program would have thousands of internal differences between the 32 and 64 bit versions.