64 bit and 32 bit?

giroux28

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under PC info it says I have the 32 bit windows 8 OS.

I didn't know there was a 64 bit or 32 bit, because when I bought/downloaded windows 8 online from windows own website, it never gave me an option to choose between 64 or 32. I just bought it for about $67...

so obviously I bought the 32 bit version and I guess there's no way of getting the 64 bit without making another purchase? there's a program I want to use that only works on 64 bit.. this is my fault, I guess.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
You can go to PC Info, or as it's called System Info to find out for sure. Go to the Desktop, and pull up the sidebar Charms--Settings--PC Info. Or you can just type system info at the Start Screen and hit the Settings filter and click that.

If you've already rated your PC's hardware, you should see a link that says View and print detailed performance and system information. This will open a new window, and under the System subsection, you should see if your CPU is 64 bit capable. If it doesn't, then most likely you have a 32 bit only processor.

I'm guessing you did the upgrade, which most likely just upgraded your existing 32 bit previous Windows version.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
If you upgrade from a 32 bit OS, it will install a 32 bit OS. This is because Windows cannot perform an upgrade from 32 to 64 bit, it must be a clean install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
You can go to PC Info, or as it's called System Info to find out for sure. Go to the Desktop, and pull up the sidebar Charms--Settings--PC Info. Or you can just type system info at the Start Screen and hit the Settings filter and click that.

If you've already rated your PC's hardware, you should see a link that says View and print detailed performance and system information. This will open a new window, and under the System subsection, you should see if your CPU is 64 bit capable. If it doesn't, then most likely you have a 32 bit only processor.

I'm guessing you did the upgrade, which most likely just upgraded your existing 32 bit previous Windows version.

yes, that's exactly what I did. I went from 32 XP to 32 8.

/sigh
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
you should see if your CPU is 64 bit capable. If it doesn't, then most likely you have a 32 bit only processor.
.

it says i have a x64 based processor, so that means it's 64 capable, i imagine.

but it looks like i just blew 60 bucks by mistake.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Giroux, the difference between 32/64 bit is how much ram can be accessed (32bit = Max of 3gb). If your PC has more than 3GB or can be upgraded above 3GB then 64bit may be for you. There are "quirks" still with 64bit OS and applications which are 32bit.

Fortunately those issues are fading fast and most apps, even if 32bit only will behave properly on 64bit and in fact, sometimes perform better on 64 than 32 and even preferable to use under 64bit. One fine example of that is MySQL which seems to perform better in 32bit mode on a 64bit OS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8/64 Pro. Build 9200
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 970
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. M5A99X EVO R2.0 (Socket 942)
    Memory
    16GB. Corsair CMX16GX3M2A1600C11
    Graphics Card(s)
    1023MB GeForce GTX 550 Ti (EVGA)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio (5.1 surround)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG-LED 47LV4400
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    119GB OCZ-VERTEX4 ATA Device (SSD)
    699GB Seagate ST750LX003-1AC154 ATA Device (SATA)
    Case
    Thermaltake Element-T
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 CPU Cooler,
    Keyboard
    Microsoft USB Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft USB Basic Optical Mouse v2.0
    Internet Speed
    7.0mb/800kb
under PC info it says I have the 32 bit windows 8 OS.

I didn't know there was a 64 bit or 32 bit, because when I bought/downloaded windows 8 online from windows own website, it never gave me an option to choose between 64 or 32. I just bought it for about $67...

so obviously I bought the 32 bit version and I guess there's no way of getting the 64 bit without making another purchase? there's a program I want to use that only works on 64 bit.. this is my fault, I guess.
With the $40 upgrade you can get both the 32 and 64 bit versions for the same key. To get the 32 bit you have to be running a 32 bit OS and to get the 64 bit you have to be running a 64 bit OS. I presume the same is true for the $67 version.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 & 8 64bit / Linux Mint 14
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5 2400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI HD3870
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1280
    Hard Drives
    128gb SSD, 500gb SATA
    PSU
    Coolermaster
    Case
    Zalman Z7
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated wired
    Mouse
    MS Optical wireless
    Antivirus
    Avast
You will need to do a clean install with 64bit.
But you'll lose all your programs.

I think you're allowed to use the key again on a clean install of the 64bit on the same pc.

But you need a new ISO file or DVD with the 64bit version.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
There's no reason to be using 32-bit OS on a machine with 4GB or more RAM. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that 64-bit will slow down your 32-bit applications. If a 32-bit application doesn't work, it's probably because Windows 8 broke it, not because 64-bit broke it. 64-bit Windows is fully supported by modern software and hardware (past around 2007-2008 at least, when vista 64-bit became common). Also, if you can get a 64-bit Windows 8 ISO of the same version you upgraded to, you can use your Windows 8 product key in a fresh reinstall of the 64-bit version and it should work just fine. The license is NOT tied to whether it's 32-bit or 64-bit, JUST if it's 'core' or 'pro' and whatnot.

So you didn't waste your money, just find your windows 8 edition in a 64-bit ISO and do a wipe/fresh-reinstall of your OS. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit, Ubuntu 13.04 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 950 @ 3ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus Sabertooth X58
    Memory
    Crucial 6GB DDR3 1066mhz Triple Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB EVGA GTX 460 SE (Nvidia)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual LG Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080, 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 Series SSD
    640GB WD Caviar Blue
    320GB WD MyBook (converted to Internal SATA)
    1TB Seagate Barracuda
    PSU
    Corsair 650TX 650w
    Case
    CoolerMaster HAF 922
    Keyboard
    Logitech G110
    Mouse
    Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    20mbps Down, 2mbps Up
There is a reason to stay 32 bit. You either have old 16 bit software you need to run, or you have hardware without 64 bit driver support. Both are very valid reasons.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
There is a reason to stay 32 bit. You either have old 16 bit software you need to run, or you have hardware without 64 bit driver support. Both are very valid reasons.

Not entirely.
We have DosBox and 16bit on x64 works perfectly.

In case of the older drivers support: I Agree with you.
It's a bit rare to find such a (rather old) pc but 64 capable cpu these days.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
There is a reason to stay 32 bit. You either have old 16 bit software you need to run, or you have hardware without 64 bit driver support. Both are very valid reasons.

Not entirely.
We have DosBox and 16bit on x64 works perfectly.
Sure, you can run any virtual machine type technology and it works. But this can be too much work for some people.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
There is a reason to stay 32 bit. You either have old 16 bit software you need to run, or you have hardware without 64 bit driver support. Both are very valid reasons.

Not entirely.
We have DosBox and 16bit on x64 works perfectly.
Sure, you can run any virtual machine type technology and it works. But this can be too much work for some people.
You bet!
When I was a beginner and double-clicking on icon didn't worked, It DIDN'T worked!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
There is a reason to stay 32 bit. You either have old 16 bit software you need to run, or you have hardware without 64 bit driver support. Both are very valid reasons.

DOSbox and Virtual machines handle such software, but in all seriousness... who has a 4GB+ 64-bit PC that still relies on DOS or Windows 3.1 software (on the consumer end, anyhow)? Who has a modern machine but still connects that old of devices to it? Most of the time, people put like with like... old machines have old devices and software, newer more powerful machines have modern stuff. It's never a good idea to mix them to start with. It's why I cannot stand when people put XP on core i7 4gb+ ddr3 such systems. They just don't belong together.

So, there's no valid reason to gimp a modern day system with an antiquated architecture for the sole purpose of software or devices that -should not be on the machine- rightfully to start with. There is a reason nostalgic computer users keep old computers around, to continue to be compatible with their favorite, yet ancient stuff. The common person isn't going to be trying to put a 1998 printer on a 2012 computer. I mean seriously, you cannot expect a 2012 OS to hang onto support for software/hardware that's 15-20 years old, it's amazing if any of that stuff runs at all in Windows 8--- 32-bit even.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit, Ubuntu 13.04 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 950 @ 3ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus Sabertooth X58
    Memory
    Crucial 6GB DDR3 1066mhz Triple Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB EVGA GTX 460 SE (Nvidia)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual LG Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080, 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 Series SSD
    640GB WD Caviar Blue
    320GB WD MyBook (converted to Internal SATA)
    1TB Seagate Barracuda
    PSU
    Corsair 650TX 650w
    Case
    CoolerMaster HAF 922
    Keyboard
    Logitech G110
    Mouse
    Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    20mbps Down, 2mbps Up
So far I haven't run into anything that I support (and that's a lot here at work) that won't work on a 64 bit OS. I've been running Windows 7 64 bit since our first Windows 7 computer and everything runs just like it should. I'll never go back to 32 bit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Constantly changing hardware.
under PC info it says I have the 32 bit windows 8 OS.

I didn't know there was a 64 bit or 32 bit, because when I bought/downloaded windows 8 online from windows own website, it never gave me an option to choose between 64 or 32. I just bought it for about $67...

so obviously I bought the 32 bit version and I guess there's no way of getting the 64 bit without making another purchase? there's a program I want to use that only works on 64 bit.. this is my fault, I guess.

As far as I know, the cheap online upgrade can only be purchased using the Upgrade Assistant. The Upgrade Assistant automatically downloads at the same bit level as the OS of the PC it's run on. Microsoft recommends that if you wish to use a 64 bit upgarde on a 32 bit PC (must do a clean install) that you buy the retail upgrade DVD. (It's more expensive than the download.)

However, you don't have to install the downloaded upgrade on the machine that downloaded it. You may install it on any PC that has a qualifying OS (XP Vista, 7). You can use that as a work-around to download the version at a different bit level than the target PC, as long as you have access to a PC running the right bit level of Windows.

I did something slightly more complicated: the PC I wished to upgrade had the Win8 Enterprise evaluation version installed. (I had a System 7 Pro license on hand to qualify the upgrade.) The Upgrade Assistant would not let me buy the upgrade form the Win8 Ent. PC. (That versions can'tr be used to qualify the upgrade, officially.) I purchased it from another PC that runs Win7 X64. I didn't complete the download on that machine, though. Rather, I used a link in the order verification email to download it on the Win8 PC. I saved it as an .iso.

I wish that the deal was offered like the pre-order for Windows 7, back in the summer of 2009. That was a straight purchase deal; you could buy and download either the 32 or 64 bit version directly from the Microsoft Store. I suppose that it might have been possible to do it from a Mac or a Linux box (if the MS Store didn't require Internet Explorer). On the other hand, the current promotional price is supposed to be offered for more than 3 months; the Win7 deal was for more like 3 weeks.

Microsoft moves in mysterious ways, its blunders to achieve.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
I think you're allowed to use the key again on a clean install of the 64bit on the same pc.

I hope this is correct.

But this means I'll need to install an older 64 bit OS (Vista, XP, 7) and then install Windows 8 64 bit after that?

I also ordered a DVD with my download, but I'm assuming that DVD is only the 32 bit version as well. Or is it even possible to have both 32 and 64 on one dvd?

sorry, I'm a newb. I should've known this earlier before buying.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
I think you're allowed to use the key again on a clean install of the 64bit on the same pc.

I hope this is correct.

But this means I'll need to install an older 64 bit OS (Vista, XP, 7) and then install Windows 8 64 bit after that?

I also ordered a DVD with my download, but I'm assuming that DVD is only the 32 bit version as well. Or is it even possible to have both 32 and 64 on one dvd?

sorry, I'm a newb. I should've known this earlier before buying.

Nope.

See:

Upgrade to Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows

"Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows 8?

Yes, but you can't do this using Upgrade Assistant. If your PC has a 64-bit capable processor (CPU) but is currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can install a 64-bit version of Windows 8 Pro, but you'll need to buy it as a DVD and perform a custom installation. If available in your country or region, you can buy Windows 8 Pro from a participating retail store. You can also buy it online from the Microsoft Store in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.
Please note that the Windows 8 Pro Pack is used to upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro, and is not for cross-architecture installs and does not include any media. If you want to change architectures, purchase Windows 8 Pro.
You won't be able to keep any files, settings, or apps when you upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit version."

If you can come up with the 64 bit installer, you should be good to go.

I don't know whether MS will give both versions in the backups DVDs. (For Windows 7, the official versions came on one DVD each.)

Perhaps you should contact Microsoft. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they accomodated you. (Example: they could email you a download link for the 64 bit installer. It wouldn't cost them anything, except to pay for the time of one of their support people.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
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