220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician is asked to upgrade an old computer from Windows 7 to Windows 10. The computer has a 32-bit processor and 2 GB of RAM. Which action should the technician take?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume Windows 10 requires a 64-bit processor or more RAM, but the 32-bit version is still supported and has lower system requirements.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install 32-bit Windows 10
Windows 10 supports 32-bit processors, and the minimum RAM requirement for 32-bit Windows 10 is 1 GB. Since the computer has a 32-bit processor and 2 GB of RAM, it meets the minimum requirements for a 32-bit installation. Therefore, the technician should install 32-bit Windows 10 to upgrade the system.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Install 32-bit Windows 10
Why this is correct
A 32-bit processor (x86) can only execute 32-bit code, so the only viable Windows 10 edition is the 32-bit version. This is a supported upgrade path from Windows 7 32-bit, and while 32-bit Windows 10 supports up to 4 GB of RAM (with usual usable around 3.5 GB), the existing 2 GB is sufficient for basic use. Installing 64-bit Windows 10 would fail because the CPU lacks the required x86-64 instruction set.
- ✗
Upgrade the RAM to 4 GB and install 64-bit Windows 10
Why it's wrong here
Adding RAM to 4 GB does not change the processor's architecture; a 32-bit CPU cannot enter 64-bit long mode and therefore cannot run any 64-bit operating system. The 64-bit edition of Windows 10 requires a 64-bit (x64) processor for the kernel to execute under x86-64 instruction set. Thus, this option is both technically impossible and misses the point that the bottleneck is the CPU, not memory capacity.
- ✗
Replace the processor with a 64-bit processor and install 64-bit Windows 10
Why it's wrong here
Swapping the processor is rarely a practical solution on older systems because the new CPU must match the motherboard's socket, chipset, and BIOS compatibility, and many old boards have minimal support. Even if a compatible 64-bit CPU were available, the cost and effort typically exceed the value of the machine, and the task specified an upgrade, not a hardware rebuild. Without also confirming motherboard support for x86-64 and a compatible BIOS, this option introduces new risks and is not the correct answer.
- ✗
Abandon the upgrade because Windows 10 does not support 32-bit processors
Why it's wrong here
Windows 10 is still available in a dedicated 32-bit (x86) edition, and Microsoft lists the same minimum CPU requirement of a 1 GHz processor with no architectural restriction to 64-bit only. Furthermore, the in-place upgrade path from Windows 7 32-bit to Windows 10 32-bit is officially supported via the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. Therefore, abandoning the upgrade is unnecessary; the machine can be upgraded without changing the processor.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux File System Structure
Key term
Dual In-line Memory Module
A Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) is a small circuit board that holds memory chips and plugs into a computer's motherboard to provide Random Access Memory (RAM).
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1102 exam.