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How can I tell if I'm running 32-bit Windows or 64-bit Windows?

Every so often I go to download some software for my Acer Windows PC and have to decide between a 32-bit and 64-bit version of the application. I'm running Windows Vista but when I look, it just says that I'm running "Home Premium". How do I know if I'm running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?


Dave's Answer:

You are by no means the first person to hit this particular stumbling block, and when I show you how to ascertain which version you're running in Microsoft Windows Vista, you'll likely be rather surprised how hard Microsoft's made it to figure this important issue out!

As Microsoft describes: "The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system."

Not so useful, really, but the short answer to the question "should I bother to even run 64-bit Windows?" is yes. If your hardware can run the 64-bit version of Windows, then you should definitely do so. Generally, it'll select for you when you're installing it. In fact, when I tried to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7 on my new Dell laptop, it complained and forced me to install the 64-bit version!

Now, how to tell?

I'll show you with Vista, then I'll show you how to tell if you're running 32-bit Windows 7 or 64-bit Windows 7 too, just for good luck.

In Vista, go to the START button (I know, I know, it's just the glowing Windows logo on the lower left corner of the widow, but old habits die hard with us tech writers) and choose "Control Panel". You'll see this:

windows vista control panels system highlighted

Click on "System and Maintenance" and you'll see a bunch of choices, but right at the top, in the cheerily named "Welcome Center" section, you'll see:

windows vista control panels system which version windows

Ah, you think you're done, don't you? Click on "Find which version of Windows you're using" and ...

windows vista control panels system welcome center

So it shows you that you're running Windows Vista, but still doesn't indicate 32-bit or 64-bit versions, so we still haven't found what we need!

Click on "Show more details" on the top right and now you get a more useful display of system information about your computer, as I do about mine:

windows vista control panels system info

It's a bit hard to see the details, so I've zoomed in:

windows vista control panels system info zoom

As you can see, I am indeed running a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista.

If you're running Windows 7 (aka win7) then it's a slight bit different because when you go to Control Panel you instead see:

windows 7 control panels system

At this point since there's no convenient shortcut, click on the word "System" instead. Now you'll get the same sort of detailed information display, half-way down showing:

windows 7 control panels system os

And so you can see that I have a 64-bit version of Windows Vista running on one of my computers and a 32-bit version of Windows 7 running on the other.



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Comments

comment about windows 7. I installed the upgrade on my HP HDX-18 vista home premium laptop. (4 gig memory) and it would not allow 2 programs to run without crying out for more memory. never had a prob running multiple programs with vista. what gives? I quickly reverted back to Vista and feel W-7 is a total memory hog.

Posted by: john at January 7, 2010 1:35 PM

An easier way to get to the same window: Click Start, right-click Computer, and then choose Properties. :-)

Posted by: Walter at January 7, 2010 4:23 PM

I just look in C:\ to see if there is more than one Program Files folder. One is for 32-bit and one is for 64-bit apps. So, if you have both, you are on a 64-bit platform....

Posted by: Craig at January 12, 2010 9:55 AM

Dave, I recently was wondering this very thing, and your post is a godsend. Your insights are thoughtful and very handy. I'm thrilled that I stumbled upon your blog.

Thanks.

Posted by: Mark Barnes at January 22, 2010 2:54 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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