How to check Windows for 32-bit OS or 64-bit OS

You can find out whether your system is installed with a 32-bit or 64-bit (Microsoft labels them as x86 or x64) based operating system, which requires specifically built software application.

For computer or PC that has been installed long time ago and user forgets about its version, or has changed owner several times, and user no longer sure whether he or she is running a 32-bit or 64-bit (x32 or x64) version of Windows operating system, use following methods to determine and find out which version actually it’s.


Windows Vista

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”, review the value for the System Type item:

• For 32-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item is x86-based PC.
• For 64-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item is 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:

• 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 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:

• 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”.

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”, review the value for the System Type item:

• For 32-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item is x86-based PC.
• For 64-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item is x64-based PC.

Method 2

1. Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
2. Click the General tab. The operating system appears as follows:

• For a 64-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Version <Year> appears under System.
• For a 32-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version <Year> appears under System.

Note <Year> is a placeholder for a year.


Method 3

1. Click Start, click Run, type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
2. In the details pane, locate Processor under Item. Note the value.

• If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of the Windows operating system.
• If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with ia64 or AMD64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Method 1

1. Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
2. Click the General tab. The operating system appears as follows:

• For a 64-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition appears under System.
• For a 32-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition appears under System.

Method 2

1. Click Start, click Run, type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
2. In the details pane, locate Processor under Item. Note the value.

• If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of the Windows operating system.
• If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with EM64T or ia64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.

I use XP SP3 and all you methods dont work at all. Did you even try this this LOL, half you commands in the run bar dont even lead to another page, windows dont even recognize the commands u say>? lol

If you are using the Windows Operating system then these command will work perfect for you as i have tried this and these working perfect. If you are unable to get it working then it might be possible that the system of yours got corrupted and unable to detect these command. So check for your system corruption and correct it to run these command.

And how would one check the OS if there is no windows???

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Originally Posted by papajimborla

And how would one check the OS if there is no windows???

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First off, if you need to Check whether WINDOWS is 32 or 64 bit....than if there is no WINDOWS at all in the HDD, why you will need to check 32bit or 64bit ???:blink:

It is simply mentioned in My Computer > Properties. That is not a big deal to find out. What is necessary to check that your existing hardware if you have a 64bit operating system and you are using 32bit is working fine. I had faced a compatibility issue with different application version a number of time while using it on 64bit operating system. Although I had not noticed any major performance difference on the basis of applications I used.