How can I switch my PC from 32-bit to 64-bit?

I have a PC that has a 32-bit operating system, 16 GB of RAM are installed, but I can only use 2.92 GB of that. And with a 32-bit operating system you can't play Minecraft and other games keep crashing. The 32-bit operating system is based on a 64-bit processor. Somehow you have to be able to upgrade that or not?
If this information is useful:

Edition: Windows 10 Pro

Version: 20H2

Installed on definitely not interested. XD

OS Build: 19042.746

Performance: Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.551.0

If someone can do something with it, it would be great if someone could tell me how I can now use the full 16 GB of RAM and, in the best case, switch to 64-bit. If necessary, I even have the product key.

For this you have to install the 64-bit Windows operating system, if your CPU supports it.

What kind of CPU do you have?

To do this, you have to completely reinstall your Windows and most likely all installed programs as well.

The best thing to do is to download the Windows Media Creation Tool, boot from the USB stick and reinstall everything.

The processor stands for: Intel (R) Core (TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz

that's exactly what it says there, but unfortunately I have no idea about it.

Well that then everything is gone is not so bad, it's time to clean up anyway 😂

And how do I get this tool? And how much is it?

Does it work with the PC or not?

You can simply download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. This then creates a bootable USB for you

The processor stands for: Intel (R) Core (TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz

16 GB of RAM are also installed

Then your system is 64 bit capable. I'm amazed that you haven't changed that long ago. You don't need an extra Windows license for this, you can use the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows with one and the same license, completely legally. But only either or not install both at the same time. With the Media Creation Tool, which you can get free of charge from Microsoft, you can create a bootable Windows 10 installation medium on a minimum of 8GB USB stick or 8.5GB blank DVD. You boot the computer and completely reinstall Windows 10 64Bit. It is best to delete and recreate the Windows partition during setup, but format it in any case so that nothing of the old Windows installation remains. Then install Windows and claim that you don't have a license key. Since Windows 10 was already activated on this computer and this activation is stored on the Microsoft activation servers, Windows 10 is activated automatically as soon as the new installation calls home for the first time. The digital license has been linked to your mainboard and forms its own product ID, by means of which your computer is repeatedly identified by the Microsoft activation servers. During the installation you have to select Windows 10 Pro, according to your license. Otherwise, of course, that won't work.

PS: Now you also need the hardware drivers as 64 bit versions, which should be available for your platform.

Thanks for your detailed explanation. I will try it immediately and then contact me again.

Please do that.

I probably did something wrong, because it couldn't finish installing. Then I tried again on another PC and unfortunately it didn't work either. I don't think I can insert a picture here, but the error code is there

0xC180010C - 0xA001B

and the whole text reads:

Error running this tool

This tool failed to run on your PC for some reason.

Should I try again or have I forgotten something? So I didn't get far, I downloaded and executed the Media Creation Tool, then I went to the standard values for this PC (x64-bit and Windows 10) and then I selected my USB stick, after which it started to work hard install, 95%, 96%, 97% and I almost wanted to say out loud, Well finally because it took almost three quarters of an hour and then it stopped at 97% for a full 7 minutes and at some point the error code came up.

There are arguably several possible causes for the problem:

https://answers.microsoft.com/...b06591ba1b

https://www.windows-faq.de/2018/09/26/0x80042405-0xa001a-fehlercode-beim-media-creation-tool/

https://www.drwindows.de/xf/threads/fehler-bei-erstellung-eines-bootbaren-stick-mit-dem-media-creation-tool.172098/

USB stick too small
USB stick defective
Anti virus program

You can also download the Win 10 ISO file and transfer it to the stick with e.g. Rufus.

https://www.microsoft.com/...ndows10ISO

https://rufus.ie/de_DE.html

Yes, that was the problem, on the USB stick there are 8 GB on it, but it worked with another one on which 32 GB were on it. Now I just hope that it works on my other PC that would be perfect. So now I have the USB stick with the installed tool, everything should work now. Thanks for your help 🙂

I will then write again whether it worked.

Yes do it.

Everything worked out 🙂

Thank you, now I finally have a cool PC on which I can play Minecraft.