Brief: More trouble ensues for 32-bit operating systems as NVIDIA announces the end for graphics driver support for the 32-bit systems.

We are certainly looking at the end of 32-bit systems. There are only a few open source 32-bit operating systems left and things are getting more and more difficult for them.

NVIDIA has announced it will soon end NVIDIA graphics driver support for 32-bit operating systems as well as all GPU architecture. According to the announcement, the last GPU video driver version 390 will be the last to support the 32-bit platform.

“after Release 390, NVIDIA will no longer release drivers for 32-bit operating systems for any GPU architecture. Later driver release versions will not operate, nor install, on 32-bit operating systems”

This means driver optimizations, enhancements and operating system features that will be released after Release 390 will not be backported into the GeForce Game Ready Release 390. However, NVIDIA plans to continue to offer critical security fixes for drivers until January 2019.

Hence users with 32-bit hardware have just a year to receive security updates, but any new features and performance enhancements will require them to switch to 64-bit architecture.

This decision will affect all 32-bit systems i.e. Linux, FreeBSD, Microsoft Window 7, Microsoft Windows 8/8.1, and Microsoft Windows 10.

Meanwhile, in addition to end support for 32-bit CPU architecture, NVIDIA will also end support for NVS products after Release 390. NVS 315 and NVS 310 will stop receiving updates from NVIDIA.

According to the announcement by NVIDIA, “later driver release versions will not operate, nor install, on systems using” NVS 315 and 310. This will also affect Linux systems, FreeBSD and various Microsoft Windows versions.

A time frame has been set whereby NVIDIA plans to offer security updates: Low to Critical will see security fixes supported until December 2019, meanwhile Critical Only will take until December 2021.

What is your take on NVIDIA ending graphics driver support for 32-bit operating systems? Share your opinion with us in the comment section.