Windows will no longer available in 10 32-bit OEM computers
As per Microsoft official recent statement, the future versions of Windows 10, starting with the May 2020 update, will no longer be available as 32-bit builds on new OEM computers. They state, with Windows 10 2004, new OEM computers will be required to use 64-bit builds of the OS.
“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.”
However, the Microsoft will continue supporting 32-bit builds with a certain limit. Microsoft states, they will continue support the users running older hardware and will continue to make 32-bits media available in non-OEM channels. Further, they will also continue offer feature updates and security updates for the versions of Windows running on 32-bit hardware.
According to Steam’ hardware survey, the number of devices continuing to use Windows 10 is only 0.20% while 86.08% use Windows 10 64-bit. Their statistic focuses on gamer lovers. However, this also gives us the indication that the people who continue using the Windows 32-bit are small.
With a few users continue to use 32- bit and almost all new equipment have 64-bit support, this change eliminates the potential issues and development conflicts among supporting architectures. Though, as per Microsoft, this change is essentially killing off 32-bit Windows.