Determining if You Have 32-bit or 64-bit Windows

by Barry Dysert
(last updated August 22, 2016)

2

Some Windows programs are designed for the 32-bit version, some for the 64-bit version, and many programs can run in either environment. Whatever the case, you may want to know whether you're running the 32-bit or the 64-bit version of Windows. (This tidbit of information is particularly important if you want to upgrade some of the device drives on your system—you need to use either 32-bit or 64-bit drivers that match your 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.)

How you check to see whether you are running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows depends on the version of Windows you are using:

  • If you are using Windows 7, click the Start button, right-click Computer, and select Properties.
  • If you are using Windows 8 or Windows 10, display the Control Panel (a good way is to press Win+X to display a Context menu at the bottom-left of the screen, then choose Control Panel), click System and Security, and finally click System.

Regardless of whether you are using Windows 7 or 8, you'll see information about your system. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Seeing whether you're running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows.

Look near the middle of the dialog box and you should see information labeled "System Type." This is where you can see whether you are running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.

 This tip (11883) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 30 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer.  He is currently a senior software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Displaying All the Files in a Folder using the Command Prompt

Displaying all the files a folder contains is an easy task in Windows. One way you can display the files is using command ...

Discover More

Understanding the Windows Experience Index

Sometimes it's good to know how powerful your system is. You may want to alleviate a hardware bottleneck or decide whether a ...

Discover More

Editing a Media Player Playlist

Windows Media Player lets you create, edit, and delete playlists over time. This tip explains how to add and delete items ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Understanding Windows Aero

Windows Aero, first introduced with Windows Vista, provides a nice visual experience when working on your computer. And the ...

Discover More

Understanding System Protection

System Protection is an automatic feature of Windows. It uses restore points that can be a virtual lifesaver if an ...

Discover More

How to Find Apps Faster

This tip reveals a little-known trick that enables you to move around your Start menu a little faster. The result is getting ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is three minus 2?

2016-08-22 19:59:22

bob phillips

Thanks. The WIN+X is new to me. Just like win 10 is new to me.

2016-08-22 06:24:08

Jan Heijkamp

Look on C:.
If you see a program files(x86) folder you have a 64 Bits OS

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2017 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.