For the end user, the primary reason for choosing Windows x64 over Windows x86 (32-bit) is RAM. Due to the limitations of x86 architectures, neither Windows nor any program will be able to use more than 3.2 GB of RAM, something that today any PC has. This is without counting the security and data integrity measures to which we will be turning our backs.
So which Windows do I choose? The answer is simple: a 64-bit one. Unless we meet any of the following conditions:
- let’s have a very old cpu incompatible with an x64 operating system. Obviously we must also have less than 4 GB of RAM.
- let’s use very old software. Although 64-bit Windows is capable of running 32-bit programs without problems, older programs, especially 16-bit ones, will not work on it. Therefore, if we need these programs, yes or yes, we will have to run them on Windows x86.
- we use very old hardware. If we still have modems, or printers from 20 years ago, they probably won’t work on x64 systems due to lack of drivers.
In any case, if we have a computer so old that it is not compatible with a 64-bit system, what we should do is consider installing another operating system, such as linux.
With everything and with it most of the occasions, if we focus on the current times and on the current equipment, we should opt for an operating system with 64-bit architecture. As we have told you, we can deduce that this is the most recommended, not only for functionality issues, but also for security. Precisely for all these reasons, some of those who still work with software based on 32-bit architecture seriously consider migrating to the most current one. All of this is precisely what we want to talk about below and thus help you as much as possible in the process.
What does a 64-bit Windows 10 bring
Undoubtedly, one of the main advantages of 64-bit systems is that they can use more than 4 GB of RAM, since this is the main limit of 32-bit systems. Although there are patches (such as the Linux PAE Kernel that is capable of reading more than these 4 GB), the usable RAM memory limit for any 32-bit Windows is 3.2 GB. Also, 64-bit systems and applications are more stable than 32-bit ones.
Therefore, if we take a look at current equipment and the hardware that accompanies it, in most cases having four gigabytes of RAM will already be a bit short for us. This is something that is especially evident if we want to install and use the latest applications released, or get the most out of it when playing our favorite titles on the PC. We can deduce that the reasons why we opt for a system with 64-bit architecture are many and each one more useful.
Other advantages
Additionally, 64-bit applications and systems have a number of security enhancements over 32-bit applications. For example, one of the main security measures of this architecture is D.E.Por Data Execution Prevention, which helps prevent other malicious code from running on your PC by exploiting vulnerabilities.
Therefore, in these times and taking into account that most of us are connected to the Internet, everything related to security and privacy is especially important. This means that the software we are talking about with the most advanced architectures will help us when it comes to protecting our data and computer applications.
Kernel Patch Protection (KPP), or Kernel Protection Patch, is another of the security measures of 64-bit architectures. This is responsible for preventing malicious applications or programs from modifying the Windows kernel memory, reducing the impact of many computer threats.
Also 64-bit systems support the driver signing, or drivers. This helps us make sure that the drivers we install are legitimate and no rogue applications, with malicious intent, try to sneak us a modified driver.
HALL, Secure Boot and other security measures native to operating systems ensure that all files loaded during computer startup are legitimate. In this way, the malware will not be able to modify the Windows base files, significantly improving security.
The drawbacks of x64 systems
Although the improvements of this architecture are more than enough to justify the use of this type of operating system, it is also necessary to talk about its drawbacks. 64-bit systems, as a general rule, tend to consume a little more resources (especially RAM memory) because the instructions and memory addresses are longer. Although it is true that this is invaluable today. It affected older computers more.
Also, applications take up more space when built for this architecture. And the 16 bit applications they no longer work on 64-bit systems, while they did work on 32-bit systems.
This is precisely why, if we have an old computer or one that is somewhat limited in terms of its hardware specifications, the use of 32-bit architectures is more appropriate. However, in most cases this will be exceptions, but this does not make decisions.
Myths and legends
For a long time, all kinds of myths and legends have been circulating on the net around 64-bit processors. So many that there are even users who still prefer to use 32-bit systems on their computers, assuming the limitations of these architectures.
The first of the myths, and the most popular, is that Windows and programs consume twice as much RAM. This is false, although like all myths, there is always some truth to it. When we use a 64-bit architecture, everything running in RAM takes up a little more space, but not twice as much. Therefore, both operating systems and programs have higher requirements for 64-bit systems than for 32-bit ones. Pointers do take up twice as much memory, but all other instructions will take up very little more space.
Another widespread myth is that we can only use more than 4 GB of RAM with 64-bit systems. Also, this is false. There is a class of processors, called Intel Pro, that have a feature called PAE that allows 32-bit systems to use more than 4 GB of memory. The same happens with Linux distros, which in their 32-bit versions carry a PAE patch to be able to bypass this memory restriction. In addition, the PAE is a “napa” that, although it allows us to see more than 4 GB of memory in the system, programs and processes cannot access it at will. And we won’t be able to take advantage of the security enhancements of x64 platforms.
With having a 64-bit processor and system, we already have it all done. Completely false. If we use an x64 operating system and our processor supports it, but we use programs compiled for 32-bits, these programs will have the same limitations as if we run them on a 32-bit system. That is, the program will never be able to access more than 3.2 GB of RAM memory. For many programs, this is not a problem. But, if we use games, or CAD or video editing programs, then we will have a significant bottleneck. In order to take advantage of the virtues of 64-bit architectures, both the processor and the operating system and programs must support it.
Check if our CPU is 64-bit compatible
The only requirement that we must meet in order to install a 64-bit Windows is that our processor is compatible with this architecture. The first processor to support 64-bit instructions hit the market in 2003, and since then virtually everyone else has started adopting these instructions. Any processor released to the market in the last 15 years will be compatible with this architecture.
From Windows 10
However, to be safe, there are several ways to do it. One of the fastest, if we already have Windows 10 installed on the computer, is to open the properties of this equipment (by right-clicking on the PC icon on the desktop and choosing “Properties”) and, in the “Type” section. system”, we can see the type of Windows installed and if our processor is x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit).
If we have more than 4 GB of RAM, our system will be 64-bit. If Windows marks us, as in the previous screenshot, only 3 GB, but we have more memory installed, then it is a question of the limitation of 32-bit systems.
In Windows 11
If we use Windows 11 as the operating system, we can access this information by accessing the Settings menu using the Windows + I keyboard shortcut. Next, within the System section that we find in the menu on the left, we must scroll to the bottom of the menu on the right to click on the section Information.
Once here we will find the Equipment Specifications section that we can even copy to the clipboard if necessary. Within the section Type of systemit will inform us of what type of Windows we have installed (in this case 64 bits) and what architecture the processor is based on (in this case x64), so it is 64 bits.
Analyze the CPU with CPU-Z and HWiNFO
Another way to know if our CPU is compatible with 64-bit instructions is by using the CPU-Z software. This application, which we can download for free from the . We are talking about software that has been developed by Cpuid, and that is responsible for collecting information about some of the main devices in our system, including the processor, memory, and motherboard. Through its use, we can learn the processor name and number, code name, process, package, and cache levels.
The ones that we will need to be able to install Windows 10 64-bit are the following:
- intel cpu: EM64T, SSE2 and VT-x.
- AMD-CPUs: X86-64, SSE2 and AMD-V
Otherwise, the installation process will return an error that will prevent us from continuing with the installation process. VT-x and AMD-V are optional, but recommended.
From CPU-Z we can also see the physical memory that we have installed on the computer. Very useful, for example, to know how much memory we have regardless of what Windows tells us.
If this program that we have mentioned ends up convincing us and you need to know more details about our hardware, we can also use the software called . Here we find a tool tremendously useful both on a personal and professional level focused on offering us a wide amount of information about the hardware that is part of our team. At the same time it offers us diagnostic functions for component analysis.
It is worth mentioning that we will get all this completely free of charge and the application is updated…
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