How to check if system is 32-bit or 64-bit (x86 or x64)

In this tutorial we will learn how to check if system is 32 bit or 64 bit. Generally in this blog I cover only programming related tutorials but now I will also cover all the things that help you to improve programming skills. Many of the time you may have noticed that before downloading software such as WAMP, XAMP etc, it is required to tell the mode of system, if system is in 32 bit based operating system then you should download that particular software designed for 32 bit based system and if system is in 64 bit based operating system then you should download that particular software designed for 64 bit based system.

Difference between 32-bits and 64-bits versions of windows

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (CPU) handles all the information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively and efficiently than a 32-bit system.

How to check whether system is 32-bit or 64-bit(x86 or x64) in different versions of windows operating system

Windows Vista


Method 1

1. Click Start -> Run or Start Search.
2. Type msinfo32.exe, press Enter key.
3. In "System Information", check the value for the System Type item:
4. For 32-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item will be x86-based PC.
5. For 64-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item will be x64-based PC.

Method 2

1. Click Start, type system in the "Start Search" box and then click system in the "Programs" list.
2. The operating system appears as follows:
3. For a 64-bit version operating system: 64-bit Operating System appears against "System type" under "System".
4. For a 32-bit version operating system: 32-bit Operating System appears against "System type" under "System".

Method 3

1. Click Start, type system in the "Start Search" box and then click System Information in the "Programs" list.
2. The operating system appears as follows:
3. For a 64-bit version operating system: x64-based PC appears against "System type" under "Item".
4. For a 32-bit version operating system: x86-based PC appears against "System type" under "Item".

Microsoft Windows XP Professional


Method 1

1. Click Start then click on Run or Start Search.
2. Type msinfo32.exe and then press Enter key.
3. In "System Information", check the value for the System Type item:
4. For 32-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item will be x86-based PC.
5. For 64-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item will be x64-based PC.

Method 2

1. Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and click OK.
2. Click the General tab. The operating system appears as follows:
3. For a 64-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Version appears under System.
4. For a 32-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version appears under System.

Method 3

1. Click Start -> Run, type winmsd.exe and then click OK.
2. In the details pane, locate Processor under Item. Check the value.
3. If the value that corresponds to Processor, starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit edition/version of the Windows operating system.
4. If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with ia64 or AMD64, the computer is running a 64-bit edition/version of the Windows operating system.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Method 1

1. Click Start-> Run, type sysdm.cpl and then click OK.
2. Click the General tab. The operating system appears as follows:
3. For a 64-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition appears under System.
4. For a 32-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition appears under System.

Method 2

1. Click Start-> Run, type winmsd.exe and click OK.
2. In the details pane locate Processor under Item. Check the value.
3. If the value that corresponds to Processor, starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit edition/version of the Windows operating system.
4. If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with EM64T or ia64, the computer is running a 64-bit edition/version of the Windows operating system.

Windows 7

1. Open System by pressing the Start button.
2. Right-clicking Computer and then clicking Properties.
3. Under System , you can view the system type.

I hope you will find this article very helpful.