NVIDIA ending GPU driver support for 32-bit operating systems this month

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
published

Following a warning shot in December, NVIDIA is killing GPU driver support for 32-bit operating systems this month.

GTX 1080
GTX 1080

After announcing in December that the clock was about to run out on its support for 32-bit operating systems, NVIDIA now has a firm timeline in mind. In an updated support article (via HotHardware), the company says that it will drop 32-bit GPU driver support this month.

According to NVIDIA, critical security updates with still be available for 32-bit operating systems through January 2019. However, those who haven't moved to a 64-bit OS will miss out on Game Ready driver updates, new features, and performance enhancements. From NVIDIA:

  • Drivers: Game Ready Driver upgrades, including performance enhancements, new features, and bug fixes, will be available only on 64-bit operating systems. Critical security updates will be provided for 32-bit operating systems through January 2019.
  • This includes the following operating systems:
    • Microsoft Windows 7
    • Microsoft Windows 8/8.1
    • Microsoft Windows 10
    • Linux
    • FreeBSD
  • GeForce Experience: Software upgrades with new features, security updates, and bug fixes will be available only on Windows 64-bit operating systems. Existing features and services such as optimal game settings will continue to work on Windows 32-bit operating systems.

Additionally, NVIDIA says it is cutting support for Fermi series GeForce GPUs altogether. Critical security updates for GPUs based on the Fermi architecture will continue through January 2019.

If you're using a relatively new computer, this move likely isn't much of a concern. For gamers in particular, who are more likely to keep their systems updated and tuned for performance, the likelihood that they're still running a 32-bit OS is slim. Still, for those who are affected, this is sure to be a bit of an inconvenience.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

13 Comments
  • Oh well, it has to be done
  • I hope Intel isn't watching this, because small tablets and stick PCs really benefit from the smaller footprint of 32bit OSs. Also, it isn't easy for the less techy to update a small device to 64bit as a complete fresh install requires all manner of tricks and external adapters to pull off. Such devices don't tend to use Nvidia so little if any issue will be caused by this, but if Intel go this route it'll get very painful for many.
  • Yet most of those small tablets have an ARM64 processor in them and those that don't probably have a 64-bit Atom processor anyway.
  • Yea, but storage at 32gig is common. The 32bit OS is way easier to fit on these not uncommon devices. Even at 64gig a 32bit OS is a great space saver.
  • I bit irresponsible to say ending 32 bit support and not say because PCI-E lauched about 2005.
    Anything before likely didn't have support for 64.
  • Makes sense
  • As long as Microsoft develop 32, it doesn't make sense actually.
  • This is simply a money making move, just like the geforce program. By doing this Nvidia pretty much rules out Windows on ARM devices running on Tegra. So it's rather stupid imo as x64 emulation is not yet supported by WoA. Secondly, there are still OEMs selling PCs with 32bit of Windows 10 as they have 4 Gigs of ram (another cost saving measure). So that leaves this customers out in open who happen to upgrade their PCs to a Nvidia GPU. Anyway this stupid move is good for AMD, presuming you can get hold of a GPU at it's actual retail price - for instance the 8GB XFX RX 480 GTR Black Edition was £245 when I bought it. Now it's three to four times that price thanks to crytocurrencry miners.
  • If a PC has 4 gig ram, it will make use of intel HD graphics.
  • @Hiswona, Yes, but you're deliberately and are simply dismissing the fact that some people will have bought GPU upgrades for their OEM built PCs which are running Windows 10 32bit with 4 gigs of ram. Just plainly stating if a PC has 4 gigs of ram then it will make use of intel graphics doesn't make that fact untrue lol.
  • Consumers will have to be more savvy then
  • ARM PCs use 64bit ARM drivers. They do not use 32bit x32 drivers through emulation. 64 bit emulation is due very soon it seems, but that still won't allow for drivers because that would be pretty crazy.
  • Oh finally.