Possible to install 64-bit Windows on 32-bit UEFI?

I recently purchased an HP Stream 7, which I was led to believe would have Windows 8.1 64-bit installed. However, it has 32-bit Windows, even though it has a 64-bit processor. Installing 64-bit has been problematic, and I found the reason is the 32-bit UEFI. Is there a way to change it or replace it with a 64-bit UEFI? Are there any other options for installing Windows 8.1 64-bit? Or is this impossible presently?

Thank you.

Solution 1:

I have read that in order to boot Linux with the 32-bit UEFI, you can swap out the standard 64-bit UEFI GRUB with the 32-bit one from a different distribution and it'll be able to work on the Stream 7, so maybe a similar procedure (swapping the 64-bit UEFI bootmgr with the 32-bit one and reconfiguring the entries to match your installation) might work to get a 64-bit Windows installation running after you installed it with an AIO image with a 32-bit Windows PE.

However, after considering doing this myself on my HP Stream 7 that is currently on its way, I remembered the fact that the minimum requirement for Windows 8.1 x64 for memory is 2 GB, and the HP Stream 7 only has 1 GB. The installation size of a 64-bit Windows is also bigger (as it needs both 32-bit and 64-bit libraries for compatibility), which makes a difference since it only has 32 GB of internal memory. Those have to be the reason why HP even put 32-bit firmware on that device.

Windows Store apps won't care about running in 32 or 64-bit, and the rare desktop programs that would be 64-bit only are probably that way because they require lots of RAM and processing power, which the HP Stream 7 won't be able to provide anyways. So there is no point in installing Windows 8.1 64-bit on it, it would only use up more space and make it very slow due to insufficient memory. Of course, if you want to install Windows 8.1 Pro instead of the Bing version to have encryption and whatnot, go right ahead, that's what I'll do at least anyways. Or maybe try Windows 10 Technical Preview 2 once I know the tablet is fully functional and won't need to be exchanged.

TL;DR Just stick with Windows 32-bit, the Stream 7 doesn't meet the minimum requirements for the 64-bit edition and no program that requires 64-bit would run well on that hardware anyways. Just count yourself lucky you didn't buy a Windows RT tablet :)

Solution 2:

You can put Windows 8.1 x86-x64 AIO on a USB stick and it will boot. You have the option of selecting between the 32 bit and the 64 bit Windows installation.

If you select the 64 bit option it will try to install it, given that your device has a 64 bit processor, but since it has a 32 bit UEFI firmware, winload.efi will crack because it expects a 64 bit UEFI firmware.

It CAN be made to work. The only issue is with a few files related to the UEFI boot. Very few changes required, but potentially, we may be talking about very low level UEFI programming (or it could just be a matter of copy pasting/replacing one or two files... I couldn't tell you) The rest of the operating system would work perfectly with no change.

It would be great if someone with more knowledge on the subject would detail the changes needed to make it work.

As for updating the UEFI firmware, you can either ask/wait for the device manufacturer to issue an update for a new 64 bit firmware or find a compatible firmware that implements it.

Solution 3:

The reason the HP Stream 7 has a 64 bit processor and 32 bit UEFI is that 32 bit UEFI is the only supported platform for 'Connected Standby' (Receiving notifications online) The processor theoretically could sustain 64 bit Windows, but that would be run at the risk of destroying parts of the computer

Sources: Independent Research on the Dell Venue 8 Pro (Same family of processors)