64-bit system: how to switch from 32-bit version and back

Today, increasingly, users of modern personal computers are faced with the concept of 64-bit systems. In particular, starting with the operating system Windows 7 and higher, "operating systems " support the architecture of 64 bits. Considering the details of the operation and technical principles, we will try to find a solution to the problem when a 64-bit system is available for installation. How do I upgrade to it from a 32-bit version of the operating system?

A bit of history

Before asking the solution to such a problem, we need to highlight some historical issues related to the emergence of what we now call systems with 64-bit architecture.

As you know, everything depends on the capabilities of the processors. Initially, they used 8-bit, then 16-bit, and finally 32-bit applications, which support was possible, thanks to the release of the newest generation of processors in the form of the first-born of this series i486.

For a long time, this was considered the most advanced development, until Microsoft Corporation introduced the new "operating system" to the world. It was a 64-bit Windows system (although there was a version of the 32-bit version).

When testing it, it became clear that 32-bit architecture-oriented processors were simply not physically able to address memory requests over 4 GB (in fact, this figure is even less - 3.5 GB). This is considered the absolute limit of a 32-bit platform. But in the world of computer technology, there were many innovations such as MMX multimedia commands, which required more and more resources. So it turned out that on the one hand a 64-bit operating system came out, and on the other - there were new, 2-and 4-core processors capable of working with it.

By the way, the invention for the operating system Windows architecture 64 bit by Microsoft's own development is not. The fact is that the first 64-bit system appeared back in 1985 and was called UNICOS. But at one time it remained unclaimed.

64-bit system: advantages

As for the basic capabilities and advantages of 64-bit systems, obviously, with the proper equipment, they can process data streams twice as fast. With their advent, it became possible to increase the operational memory to unimaginable limits. To date, it is 192 GB.

Of course, it is very doubtful that one of the users will be able to reach this ceiling. Wait! Computer games using sophisticated graphics are developing very rapidly, so increasing the bar of using "RAM" is just around the corner.

As for 32-bit systems, they do not allow you to install more than 4 GB (as mentioned above). On older machines, one should also think about the advisability of such a transition (even if there is support for 64-bit architecture), since the new operating system will work much more slowly, if only because it will very heavily load system resources.

Problems with obsolete hardware

If you really wonder how to make the transition to a 64-bit system, we should immediately note the moment associated with the equipment installed on a computer or laptop.

First of all, it concerns the processor itself. First you need to know its modification (say, using the utility Everest), and then on the manufacturer's website to see if it supports 64-bit bit depth.

The same applies to other equipment such as hard drives, scanners, printers, etc. It may be that after installing the 64-bit system they will not work at all. The matter is that for such equipment there are no drivers in own database Windows 7, 8 or 10, and developers do not release new drivers for the out-of-date equipment.

64-bit system: how to go?

Now let's consider the main issue of switching to the 64-bit version of the Windows operating system. Many users purchase or download a distribution package in which a 64-bit system is present. How do I upgrade to it without reinstalling it? The question that can be answered unequivocally: no way. Let us explain why.

This is due not so much to file systems as to the architecture of the system itself. It simply does not provide an update of the 32-bit version to the 64-bit version, although the file systems may coincide (for example, NTFS). For system disks and partitions FAT32 is not supported.

But in 64-bit systems, you can run 32-bit applications and programs without problems (but not vice versa).

As for the installation, it is necessary to use the original installation disk and as the main action to format the hard drive and logical partitions according to the proposed scheme. It goes without saying that valuable information must first be stored on removable media, and previously installed programs and applications must be reinstalled. As already mentioned above, there is nothing wrong with the fact that they are designed for 32-bit systems, no.

Inverse actions

The installation is complete, and we have a 64-bit system on our computer. How can I upgrade to a 32-bit operating system if something does not work? Again, no way. A full reinstallation is required. Note that in both cases it concerns not only the "operating system" itself, but also all the drivers, as they are also designed for use in systems with a certain bit width (x86 or x64).

In this case, you can leave the NTFS file system or format the file in FAT32.

The result

Here, actually, and all on the topic "64-bit system: how to switch from 32 bit versions". In principle, nothing complicated in this. The only thing that each user should understand: in this case, you must mandatory formatting and complete reinstallation of the operating system. Usual means of updating or somehow in another way to make it simply will not work.

In addition, it is not unimportant to pre-test hardware for compatibility with the new version of the operating system, as well as the feasibility of installing 64-bit Windows on low-power machines. Since you can simply achieve the opposite effect, when the performance will be weakened by using the resources of the "operating system" itself.