Windows 32 or 64 bit, what is the difference and why you should know

Even today, it is quite common for many users to have doubts when updating their Windows operating system to a new version or when installing certain programs on their computers, as this will depend on whether our computer is running Windows of 32 bits or Windows of 64 bits and therefore, it is something that we must know.

Index of contents

What's the difference between 32-bit Windows and 64-bit Windows?

If you are going to buy a new computer, this is where you should start by looking at which version of Windows the computer integrates. Basically, the difference between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions is the amount of RAM each of them supports, so this will be especially important if you tend to use a considerable number of applications simultaneously, or if you use Very heavy applications with high-quality graphics, since all of the above requires more RAM memory.

But in addition, the figures also change according to the version of Windows that we are talking about. For example, Windows 10 Home 64-bit supports up to 128GB of RAM, while Windows 10 Home 32-bit supports up to 4GB.

The other big difference lies in performance and speed. The processor is the heart of the team, in charge of all calculations. Based on this, a 64-bit processor processes bit streams of up to 64 bits. while a 32-bit processor processes bit sequences of up to 32 bits, that is, half. Therefore, a 64-bit computer that is capable of handling information packets that are twice as large at the same clock speed is a faster, better-performing computer.

How can I know if my computer is 32-bit or 64-bit?

No matter what version of Windows you are running on your PC, checking if your system is 32-bit or 64-bit is a very simple process that you can find out by going to the Windows Control Panel and clicking on the System option.

On the screen you will see a window that shows you the most relevant information on your computer, such as the version of Windows you have installed, and in the "System" section, you will see the amount of RAM and also the processor and the type of system, where reveals whether it is 32 or 64 bit.

Migrate from 32 bit to 64 bit? Yes but…

Given what you've seen, you're probably wondering if it's possible to go from a 32-bit system to a 64-bit system. The answer is YES, although you must first take into account both the software and the drivers that you already have installed, that is, you must make sure that all the applications and all the drivers that you use with the devices that you connect, have a 64-bit version or otherwise you could not use them. For example, if your printer drivers only have a 32-bit version, when migrating to a 64-bit system you will no longer be able to use that printer. Fortunately, that problem is much weirder for applications than for drivers.

On the other hand, for migration to be possible, your computer must have a processor with 64-bit architecture (although the current system is 32-bit). In fact, computers with 32-bit processors are already very old and it would be very strange to find any of them for sale in current stores. Although you never know.

To conclude, the importance of knowing whether our system is 32-bit or 64-bit is essential, since it depends on the installation of applications, device drivers and external accessories, power and performance, etc.