How to determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a
64-bit edition of Windows
This article describes how to determine whether a
computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit of the Windows operating system.
Generally, a computer's bit count indicates how much data it can process, the
speed with which it can process the data, and the maximum memory capacity. In
order to optimize the computer's performance, the bit count of the operating
system that is installed on the computer should match the bit count of the
computer itself.
This article is intended for a beginning to
intermediate computer user. You may find it easier to follow the steps if you
print this article first.
Determine the operating system bit count
Locate the operating system that is running on your
computer in this section, and then follow the steps to determine the bit count
of your operating system. To have us help you determine your version.
"Windows
Vista or Windows 7" section, the "Windows XP" section or the the
"Windows Server 2003" section.
Windows Vista or
Windows 7
If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7, there are two
methods to determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version. If
one does not work, try the other.
Method 1: View System window in Control Panel
1. Click Start
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, type system in the Start Search box, and then click
system in the Programs list.
2. The operating system is displayed as follows:
For a 64-bit version operating system: 64-bit Operating
System appears for the System type under System.
For a 32-bit version operating system: 32-bit
Operating System appears for the System type under System.
Method 2: View System Information window
1. Click Start
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, type system in the Start Search box, and then click
System Information in the Programs list.
2. When System Summary is selected in the navigation
pane, the operating system is displayed as follows:
For a 64-bit version operating system: x64-based PC appears
for the System type under Item.
For a 32-bit version operating system: x86-based PC
appears for the System type under Item.
If you cannot determine the operating system bit
count with these methods, go to the "Next Steps" section.
Windows XP
If you have Windows XP, there are two methods to
determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version. If one does not
work, try the other.
Method 1: View System Properties in Control Panel
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
3. Click the General tab. The operating system is
displayed as follows:
For a 64-bit version operating system: Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition Version < Year> appears under System.
For a 32-bit version operating system: Windows XP
Professional Version <Year> appears under System.
Note <Year> is a placeholder for a year.
Method 2: View System Information window
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
3. When System Summary is selected in the navigation
pane, locate Processor under Item in the details pane. Note the value.
If the value that corresponds to Processor starts
with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of Windows.
If the value that corresponds to Processor starts
with ia64 or AMD64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of Windows.
If you cannot determine the operating system bit
count with these methods, go to the "Next Steps" section.
Windows Server 2003
If you have Windows Server 2003, there are two
methods to determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version. If
one does not work, try the other.
Method 1: View System Properties in Control Panel
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
3. Click the General tab. The operating system is
displayed as follows:
For a 64-bit version operating system: Windows Server
2003 Enterprise x64 Edition appears under System.
For a 32-bit version operating system: Windows Server
2003 Enterprise Edition appears under System.
Method 2: View System Information window
1. Click Start, and then click Run
2. Type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
3. When System Summary is selected in the navigation
pane, locate Processor under Item in the details pane. Note the value.
If the value that corresponds to Processor starts
with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of Windows.
If the value that corresponds to Processor starts
with EM64T or ia64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of Windows.
If you cannot determine the operating system bit
count by using these methods, go to the "Next Steps" section.
Notes
To find the computer’s bit count, see the
documentation that was included with the computer, or contact the hardware
manufacturer.
Intel Itanium-based computers can run only 64-bit
versions of Windows. Intel Itanium-based computers cannot run 32-bit versions
of Windows. Currently, 64-bit versions of Windows run only on Itanium-based
computers and on AMD64-based computers.
LINUX OS
[root@sonu ~]# getconf WORD_BIT
32
[root@sonu ~]# file /usr/bin/file
/usr/bin/file: ELF 32-bit LSB executable, Intel
80386, version 1 (SYSV), for GNU/Linux 2.6.9, dynamically linked (uses shared
libs), for GNU/Linux 2.6.9, stripped
[root@sonu ~]# file /sbin/init
/sbin/init: ELF 32-bit LSB executable, Intel 80386,
version 1 (SYSV), for GNU/Linux 2.6.9, dynamically linked (uses shared libs),
for GNU/Linux 2.6.9, stripped
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