How to Tell if You Have Windows 64-Bit or 32-Bit

Not sure if your installed version of Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit? One quick way to tell 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.

Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 & Vista: 64-Bit or 32-Bit?

Windows 11 only comes in 64-bit, and Windows 7 Starter Edition and Windows Vista Starter Edition are available only in 32-bit.

Here's how to tell if you have a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista:

1. Open the Control Panel.

   You can check your Windows system type much faster from the Power User Menu (WIN + X). With that menu open, select System and then skip to Step 4.

2. Choose System and Security within Control Panel, or System and Maintenance if you're on Windows Vista.

   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.

3. Choose System.

   This screen can also be opened by executing the control /name Microsoft.System command from Run or Command Prompt.

4. Find the System area, located under the large Windows logo. Within there, next to System type, it 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's 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.

Windows XP: 64-Bit or 32-Bit?

The General tab in System Properties provides all the details.

1. Select Start and then choose Control Panel.

2. Select Performance and Maintenance.

   If you don't see this link, open System and then go down to Step 4.

3. Choose System.

4. Locate the System area to the right of the Windows logo.

   You should be on the General tab in System Properties.

5. Under System is 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.

6. 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...

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:

• 32-bit location: C:\Program Files\

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.

You can also use the dir command in Command Prompt to view these folders. Just make sure to execute the command from the root of the C drive.

Is Windows 64-bit or 32-bit?

If you're running Windows XP, chances are it's 32-bit. However, if you're on Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, the chance that you're running a 64-bit version goes up considerably. All Windows 11 installations are 64-bit.

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.