AMD Drops Support for Windows 8.1 32-bit with Latest Radeon Drivers

[Exterminator]

AMD’s latest Radeon drivers no longer come with support for the 32-bit version of Windows 8.1, with the company now providing software only for the 64-bit SKU of the Windows 10 predecessor.

While the decision to drop support for Windows 8.1 32-bit might seem to be a bit harsh at first given the fact that Windows 8.1 was launched in 2013, AMD says it’s all because only a few people run the 32-bit version of the operating system, so it just makes sense for the company to just focus on the 64-bit flavor where most customers are right now.

Radeon Software Crimson ReLive 17.2.1 drivers are now available only for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 64-bit, and Windows 10, so users running the 32-bit version of Windows 8.1 need to upgrade either to 64-bit or to Windows 10 to continue getting updates for their graphic cards.

Few downloads
AMD explains that the 32-bit version of its Windows 8.1 drivers have recorded only a few downloads, as TechPowerUp reports, adding that the company is trying to focus its software teams on the platforms that are more broadly used these days.

Of course, Windows 10 should be the operating system of choice for most users, especially because it’s the newest version and very likely to receive updated drivers many years from now.

On the other hand, with more game developers focusing entirely on 64-bit titles, it only makes sense for AMD to shift focus from the 32-bit version of Windows 8.1, despite the fact that this operating system is just one version old.

According to third-party research firm NetMarketShare, Windows 8.1 has a market share of 6.90 percent, with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions combined. It’s not known how many people actually run the 32-bit flavor of the operating system, but we guess that not too many since Windows 10 is already available.

Valve’s Steam platform indicates that just 0.26 percent of its users were running Windows 8.1 32-bit in January, while the 64-bit system powered 8.14 percent of computers.

 

[Vasudev]

Most new devices are shipping with x64 Windows compared to 32bit. Its a good decision from AMD to save costs.