Windows 10: Microsoft will no longer have 32-bit versions in OEMs - what will happen with the end of 32bit

The upcoming release of Windows 10 (2004, or May 2020 Update), will mark an important milestone for the future of Windows.

ΜWith this release, Microsoft will no longer have 32-bit images in OEMs, which means that at some point in the future, the company will only develop 64-bit.

Let's take a look at the official announcement before going into details:

"With Windows 10 in 2004, all new Windows 10 systems should use 64-bit versions, and Microsoft will no longer release 32-bit versions for OEMs. This will not affect our 32-bit client systems running older versions of Windows 10. Microsoft remains committed to providing functionality and security updates for these devices as well. The provision of 32-bit ISO availability on channels other than OEMs will continue. ”

There are three things you need to know about the end of 32-bit in Windows 10.

First, the announcement concerns only OEMs. In other words, Microsoft will no longer have 32-bit OEM images with Windows 10 installed on new computers.

Microsoft typically provides operating system ISO images to computer manufacturers each time a new operating system update is finalized, giving them more time to prepare. OEMs use ISOs to pre-install the most operating system on their devices, so when sold, customers get the latest feature updates.

So after this change, OEMs will no longer have 32-bit images, and will only release devices with the 64-bit version.

Secondly, your 10-bit Windows 32 device will continue to work fine. The change only applies to OEMs, and all existing Windows 10 installations on 32-bit devices will not be affected, and will continue to work as before.

Your computer will still receive updates even with the 32-bit version of Windows 10. Nothing will change for the time being.

And we come to the third: At some point you will need to upgrade to 64-bit. And this will happen for a very simple reason. OEMs will no longer have 32-bit images. In doing so, Microsoft essentially took the first step before completely eliminating Windows 32 bit.

When your version of Windows 10 runs out of support, there will be no more 32-bit versions available, which means you'll need to upgrade to 64-bit to keep receiving updates. What does this mean in plain Greek?

New hardware….

According to Microsoft's maintenance program, the 1909 version of Windows 10 or the November 2019 Update, which is the latest version with a 32-bit version, will reach the end of support on May 11, 2021. The Enterprise and Education versions will be retire in May 2020.

The version of Windows 10 2004 is expected to be released this month, as the RTM build has already been signed. According to rumors, the release will start in the last week of the month, but anyone who wants to try it now can do so from Windows Insider.

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