Not sure if your installed version of Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit?
If you're running Windows XP, chances are it's 32-bit. However, if you're running Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, the chance that you're running a 64-bit version goes up considerably.
Of course, this isn't something you want to take a guess at.
Knowing if your copy of Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit becomes very important when installing device drivers for your hardware and choosing between certain kinds of software.
To install a 64-bit version of Windows, you need a CPU that's capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows. The benefits of using a 64-bit operating system are most apparent when you have a large amount of random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer, typically 4 GB of RAM or more.
One quick way to tell if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows is by looking at information about your operating system installation in Control Panel. However, the specific steps involved depend a lot on which operating system you're using.
See What Version of Windows Do I Have? if you're not sure which of those several versions of Windows is installed on your computer.
Another quick and simple way to check if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows is to check the 'Program Files' folder. There's more on that at the very bottom of this page.
Windows 10 & Windows 8: 64-bit or 32-bit?
- You can check your Windows system type much faster from the Power User Menu, but it's probably speedier that way only if you're using a keyboard or mouse. With that menu open, click or touch on System and then skip to Step 4.
- Touch or click on System and Security within Control Panel.You won't see a System and Security link in Control Panel if your view is set to either Large icons or Small icons. If so, select System and then skip to Step 4.
- With the System and Security window now open, choose System.
- With the Systemapplet now open, titled View basic information about your computer, find the System area, located under the large Windows logo.The System type will say either 64-bit Operating System or 32-bit Operating System.The second bit of information, either x64-based processor or x86-based processor, indicates the hardware architecture. It is possible to install a 32-bit edition of Windows on either an x86 or x64 based system, but a 64-bit edition can only be installed on x64 hardware.
- You should now know for certain whether your operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit
System, the Control Panel applet that contains the Windows system type, can also be opened by executing the control /name Microsoft.Systemcommand from Run or Command Prompt.
Windows 7: 64-bit or 32-bit?
- If you're viewing either the Large icons or Small icons view of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Just choose System and then proceed to Step 4.
- When the System window opens, titled as View basic information about your computer, locate the System area below the oversized Windows logo.
- In the System area, look for System type among the other statistics about your computer.The System type will report either a 32-bit Operating System or a 64-bit Operating System.There is no 64-bit version of Windows 7 Starter Edition.
- Now you know whether you have Windows 7 64-bit or 32-bit.
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Windows Vista: 64-bit or 32-bit?
- Select Control Panel from the Start menu.
- Choose System and Maintenance.If you're viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Just double-click or tap-and-hold System and proceed to Step 4.
- Select System in the System and Maintenance window.
- When the System window opens, titled as View basic information about your computer, locate the System area below the big Windows logo.
- In the System area, look for System type below the other statistics about your PC.The System type will report either a 32-bit Operating System or a 64-bit Operating System.There is no 64-bit version of Windows Vista Starter Edition.
- You should now know whether you have Windows Vista 64-bit or 32-bit.
Windows XP: 64-bit or 32-bit?
- Select Start and then choose Control Panel.
- Select Performance and Maintenance.If you're viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Just double-click or tap-and-hold on the System icon and proceed to Step 4.
- Choose System from the bottom of the Performance and Maintenance window.
- Locate Systemto the right of the Windows logo.You should be on the General tab in System Properties.
- Under System: you'll see basic information about the version of Windows XP installed on your computer:Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version [year] means you're running Windows XP 32-bit.Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Version [year] means you're running Windows XP 64-bit.There are no 64-bit versions of Windows XP Home or Windows XP Media Center Edition. If you have either of these editions of Windows XP, you're running a 32-bit operating system.
- Now you know if you're running Windows XP 64-bit or 32-bit.
Check the 'Program Files' Folder Name
This method isn't as easy to understand as using Control Panel but it does provide a quick way of checking on whether you're running a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows, and is especially helpful if you're looking for this information from a command line tool.
If your version of Windows is 64-bit, you're able to install both 32-bit and 64-bit software programs, so there are two different 'Program Files' folders on your computer. However, 32-bit versions of Windows have just one folder since they can only install 32-bit programs.
Here's an easy way to comprehend this...
Is My System 32 Or 64 Bit
Two program folders exist on a 64-bit version of Windows:
- 32-bit location: C:Program Files (x86)
- 64-bit location: C:Program Files
32-bit versions of Windows have just one folder:
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- 32-bit location: C:Program Files
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Therefore, if you find only one folder when checking this location, you're using a 32-bit version of Windows. If there are two 'Program Files' folder, you're for sure using a 64-bit version.