Windows OS Installation

[Ravescream]

So since my first PC build date is coming up soon, I had a quick question about my Windows 8.1 Pro OS installation. Do you choose what Bit system you install? (64 or 32)

[Arty]

no just buy 64bit

don't waste money on a combo cd or key

thats just dumb

[TetraSky]

Normally, if you have less than 4GB of Memory, you will want 32bit, simply because it uses less RAM than 64bit (1GB compared to 2GB).
If you have more than 4GB, you will need 64bit, no other choice about it. Otherwise you won't be able to use more than 4GB.

[GoodBytes]

So since my first PC build date is coming up soon, I had a quick question about my Windows 8.1 Pro OS installation. Do you choose what Bit system you install? (64 or 32)

If you buy the retail box of Windows, either upgrade or full, you have 2 disks. One 32-bit and the other 64-bit. They are clearly labeled on the disk itself which is which.

The setup will have sadly, no indication until the OS is fully installed. So be sure to use the right disk

 

If you buy the OEM version of Windows, then you have 1 disk, based on the version you bought 32-bit or 64-bit.

 

Use 32-bit Windows if you are low in memory as mentioned, or if your CPU is exclusively 32-bit (I doubt so very much, as the affected processors (old select Intel Atoms processor), as soooo slow.

So in your case, I doubt you got 2GB of RAM on your system, so use the 64-bit disk.

[Ravescream]

If you buy the retail box of Windows, either upgrade or full, you have 2 disks. One 32-bit and the other 64-bit. They are clearly labeled on the disk itself which is which.

The setup will have sadly, no indication until the OS is fully installed. So be sure to use the right disk

 

If you buy the OEM version of Windows, then you have 1 disk, based on the version you bought 32-bit or 64-bit.

I am booting of an USB because my new case will not have a Optical Drive. From the boot setup I put onto my USB, I loaded the 64 Bit version onto it. I bought a Windows 8.1 Pro Key which said it was 64/32. Does that mean it will automatically download the 64 bit version?

[Techdude154]

I am booting of an USB because my new case will not have a Optical Drive. From the boot setup I put onto my USB, I loaded the 64 Bit version onto it. I bought a Windows 8.1 Pro Key which said it was 64/32. Does that mean it will automatically download the 64 bit version?

The key will activate either a 32 or 64 bit install. Since you loaded a 64 bit version onto a USB, it will activate 64 bit. However, if you loaded a 32 bit version, it would have activated 32 bit.

 

TLDR: It's fine, the key will work regardless of version

[GoodBytes]

Correct it works on either version.