Microsoft announcing to drop 32-bit CPUs for Windows 10

[wadmodder1999]

With the release of Windows 10 version 2004, Microsoft announced that it will no longer support 32-bit PCs and CPUs, possibly future releases will follow. Here's an article about this controversial topic: https://betanews.com/2020/05/13/microsoft-killing-off-windows-10-32-bit

What are your opinions on this controversial topic? Thoughts and comments are appreciated.

[mimizukari]

32-bit is dead. you can't even run google chrome properly. face it, it's antiquated and you should be on 64-bit in 2020

[wadmodder1999]

Since major graphics drivers had dropped support for 32-bit PCs, it's likely that Microsoft didn't want people (Particularly gamers) to "fan-boy" to the architecture anymore, since OEMs only supported the x86-x64 architecture after the release of Windows 7 in 2009.

[xSOSxHawkens]

Originally posted by Kurumi Tokisaki:

32-bit is dead. you can't even run google chrome properly. face it, it's antiquated and you should be on 64-bit in 2020

Not true at all.

There are even 32bit only dualcores from the Core Duo line (not core2duo).

I still have a Thinkpad x60t with a Core Duo L2500 dual core @ 1.8Ghz with 3GB ram that runs windows 10 x86 without any issue on an SSD and is used for browsing, older games on steam, discord, etc.

I wouldnt use chrome, but thats cuz chrome is bad not cuz the computer is. I use opera and firefox and edge on it without issues though. Even has 5Ghz 802.11a networking which keeps it connected to more modern networks that dont have 2.4ghz issues.

But, it does sound like it wont be getting any more feture updates past this point it seems.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

32 bit architecture has made way to cheaper faster better more reliable and efficient systems what else can add zoom zoom .
Windows is also slowly moving away to small screens Tablets mobile devices hello Android .

[wadmodder1999]

Although an announcement hasn't been made, unless Google is ready to drop 32-bit support for their Chrome web browser, the Blink HTML5 browser rendering engine, and Chromium Embedded Framework, which Steam is powered by, Valve is out of luck on supporting 32-bit all together.

[Magma Dragoon]

I don't see how it is controversial, AMD64 CPUs have nearly 100% of desktop market share

[_I_]

the c2 family are 64bit cpus
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/TYPE-Core%202%20Duo.html

anything that uses ddr2 or later are 64bit (pentium 4 are 64bit, along with athlon 64 series)
ddr (32bit) could be translated on some mobos to run 64bit (2x1g ddr dimms = 1g in 64bit mode)

you can run windows 32bit on 64bit cpus
but will have the 32bit limitations (4g system ram max, 2g max per program)

you gotta dig back pretty far to find 32bit cpus/mobos

[🍋 Lemonfed 🍋]

not much controversial since 32 bit only ran better on a few specific sets of cpu that are borderline becoming obsolete even for casual web browsing.

32 bit only cpu are rare these days if they're not inside one +10 years old machine.

[wadmodder1999]

That's exactly what I mean, Microsoft is planning to drop support for 32-bit CPUs in Windows 10, not 32-bit software support.

So, if your planning to upgrade to the latest release of Windows 10, dump your 32-bit CPUs now.

Or, if your planning to stay with the previous release of Windows 10, you should be using it only for benchmark purposes, hope for the best.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Nothing surprising there, CPU that would not support 64-bit would be completely ancient anyway.

[Ogami]

Man, when was my last 32bit CPU... 2004/05 ?
There is zero reason to cling to such old CPU nowadays.
And for users who still have old systems from that time, they still can use Windows 7/8 that still have 32bit support.

[wadmodder1999]

Much older CPUs is recommended for much older games and software, for the case of 32-bit alot of old Windows 3.1 and older 16-bit Windows games and software. (for example Microsoft Entertainment Pack 1-4)

But since 64-bit versions of Windows don't have the necessary files to play those games and software, you should use WineVDM/OTVDM or NTVDM64, both are open source projects.

In the case of old 3dfx Glide games, you should use nGlide.

[_I_]

most arm cous are now 64bit too, so a few gen back mobile or tablets may be 16-32bit, but most run linux or android or win ce

[Carlsberg]

Not a surprise really, apple went 64 bit in 2009, cellphones have been 64 bit for some time now too. Cannot keep recommending 8gb as minimum system ram for an OS that only supports 4gb, this was on the way some time ago and anyone in the IT field should have already been preparing for this by now. On the plus side we get rid of the x86 programs folder and the doubled up OS files for 32bit support.

[_I_]

they are not dropping 32bit programs, just no longer offering win32 as an os