Beginning with Windows 10 version 2004, 32-bit Windows 10 is being phased out (beginning with OEMs)

[UsandThem]

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/microsoft-begins-phasing-out-windows-10-32-bit

Microsoft notes, “Beginning with Windows 10, version 2004, all new Windows 10 systems will be required to use 64-bit builds and Microsoft will no longer release 32-bit builds for OEM distribution.”

Honestly, this was long overdue due to the 4 GB RAM limitation, but Microsoft states that existing 32-bit Windows 10 users will continue to receive updates.

 

[mxnerd]

Well, even Linux is phasing out 32bit. Developers don't like to maintain 2 set of code.

 

[pcgeek11]

Good. Well past due.

Does anyone still run Windows 10, 32 bit?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Does anyone still run Windows 10, 32 bit?

Ask @Muse ...

 

[VirtualLarry]

That said, I wish that MS would then provide a "32-bit Mode OS" (in a VM image), similarly to how "XP Mode" was supported in Win7 Pro. Just for those older games, whos installers used 16-bit InstallShield, which only runs on 32-bit Windows, and DOES NOT RUN on 64-bit Windows.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That said, it is about time, many Linux distros have dropped 32-bit support, or at least "i386" support, I don't know about "i686" support. And even Core2-era PCs are 64-bit compatible, as were, I believe, Prescott P4s. Anything older than that, hardware-wise, has probably turned to dust by now.

OH! But what about those little 7" Windows OS tablets running on Bay Trail atoms, which are 64-bit capable, but for whatever reason, were saddled with a 32-bit UEFI.

I guess the mfg's could offer a firmware flash to switch to 64-bit mode, followed by a mandatory re-installation of the OS image using a 64-bit installer. Could happen, I guess. Or maybe they'll just be stranded on Windows 1909 or 1903 32-bit ... forever.

 

[PingSpike]

32-bit probably only hung around with 8 and 10 because Microsoft had dreams of tablets and phones running Windows. Those dreams are dead now.

 

[Muse]

Ask @Muse ...

You can ask but you may not get the answer you want

 

[bruceb]

Just one very important question: I have Windows 10 Home 64 version and I have quite a few programs that I only needed and installed the 32 bit version of. I don't care if they force the OS itself to be 64 bit only, as long as we can still install 32 bit programs which go to the Program File (x86) directory .. Does anyone know if this will still be the case ? ?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Just one very important question: I have Windows 10 Home 64 version and I have quite a few programs that I only needed and installed the 32 bit version of. I don't care if they force the OS itself to be 64 bit only, as long as we can still install 32 bit programs which go to the Program File (x86) directory .. Does anyone know if this will still be the case ? ?

I’m sure 32 bit programs will be safe for a long time.
Microsoft has far too many corporate customers that would go nuts if their 32 bit programs or crm or schedule tracker or whatever stopped working.
This is only about new windows installs. They will all be 64 bit going forward.

 

[Spjut]

On Microsoft's site, it seems like 2004 does indeed still support 32-bit systems? I thought this had meant that 2004 wouldn't support 32-bit.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4560366/servicing-stack-update-for-windows-10-version-2004

 

[mxnerd]

It mean it all new OEM hardwares will only ships with 64bit Windows 10 starting v2004

Minimum hardware requirements

This topic defines the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 10 and all types of devices or computers designed for this release.

docs.microsoft.com

3.1
* Beginning with Windows 10, version 2004, all new Windows 10 systems will be required to use 64-bit builds and Microsoft will no longer release 32-bit builds for OEM distribution. This does not impact 32-bit customer systems that are manufactured with earlier versions of Windows 10; Microsoft remains committed to providing feature and security updates on these devices, including continued 32-bit media availability in non-OEM channels to support various upgrade installation scenarios.

 

[bruceb]

I do not care if the OS is the 64 bit version or not, as long as we can still install legacy 32 bit versions of programs. Some of us just do not need the extra features of a 64bit program and in some cases, it would mean buying new software.

 

[Muse]

I do not care if the OS is the 64 bit version or not, as long as we can still install legacy 32 bit versions of programs. Some of us just do not need the extra features of a 64bit program and in some cases, it would mean buying new software.

Not just having to buy new software. I have 16 bit programs I'm not willing to discard because I use the data, have done tons of work developing it. For instance I use Pagemaker 6.5. It's desktop publishing software and I can create pages and make them look exactly like I want. I have hundreds of documents in it. I keep a 32bit Windows 10 machine in suspend for when I use it.

 

[bruceb]

So will they continue to allow 32 bit programs to be installed after they force the OEMs to install Windows 10 64 bit ? ... This is the key question, as my current install (now at 1909) is 64 bit, but all my programs are the 32 (x86) versions. They work just fine for what I need.

 

[mxnerd]

So will they continue to allow 32 bit programs to be installed after they force the OEMs to install Windows 10 64 bit ?

Of course. MS just don't want it's engineers to develop and maintain 32bit OS in the future.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

So will they continue to allow 32 bit programs to be installed after they force the OEMs to install Windows 10 64 bit ? ... This is the key question, as my current install (now at 1909) is 64 bit, but all my programs are the 32 (x86) versions. They work just fine for what I need.

Of course. 32 bit programs and WoW64 aren't going anywhere for the foreseeable future. The only place you absolutely need x64 support is drivers. They have to match which version is installed. User mode programs will continue to work fine.

The only scenario affected is loosing 16 bit software compatibility. This is because x64 Windows doesn't include NTVDM for DOS applications. Which can be a problem if you rely on some obscure DOS application, where developers have packed in years ago or gone out of business. Your only choice then is a 32 bit version of Windows or virtualization (which isn't feasible in all cases).

 

[Scarpozzi]

Well, even Linux is phasing out 32bit. Developers don't like to maintain 2 set of code.

Right. They're lazy. Most I know don't even like to shower.

 

[AMD64Blondie]

That's great news.Sitting here with 32 GB of RAM,and 32-bit Windows 10 would have been a disaster.

(64-bit OSes are awesome....)