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* More products Selected More products </find-solutions/more/> How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system Article ID: 827218 - View products that this article applies to. <#appliesto> If you are a Small Business customer, find additional troubleshooting and learning resources at the Support for Small Business <http://smallbusiness.support.microsoft.com/en-us/fix/browse-solutions -by-product> (http://smallbusiness.support.microsoft.com/en-us/fix/browse-solutions -by-product) site. To continue receiving security updates for Windows, make sure that you're running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). For more information, refer to this Microsoft webpage: Support is ending for some versions of Windows <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/end-support-windows-xp-sp 2-windows-vista-without-service-packs> (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/end-support-windows-xp-sp 2-windows-vista-without-service-packs) Expand all <javascript:void(0);> | Collapse all <javascript:void(0);> On This Page <javascript:void(0);> * INTRODUCTION <#> o Determine the operating system bit count <#> + Windows Vista or Windows 7 <#> # Method 1: View the System window in Control Panel <#> # Method 2: View the System Information window <#> + Windows XP <#> # Method 2: View the System Information window <#> + Windows Server 2003 <#> # Method 1: View System Properties in Control Panel <#> # Method 2: View the System Information window <#> * NEXT STEPS <#> * Properties <#> * Give Feedback <#> o <#> o <#> o <#> o <#> o <#> o <#> o <#> INTRODUCTION <javascript:void(0);>

This article describes how to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version 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. Back to the top <#top>| Give Feedback <#survey> Determine the operating system bit count To determine the version of Windows that is running on your computer, go to the "Windows Vista or Windows 7 <#WinVista7>" section, the "Windows XP <#WinXP>" section, or the "Windows Server 2003 <#Win2003>" section, and then follow the steps in that section to determine the bit count of your operating system. 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 version or a 64-bit version. If one method does not work, try the other method.* Method 1: View the System window in Control Panel 1. Click *Start* Collapse this imageExpand this image Start button , 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 the System Information window 1. Click *Start* Collapse this imageExpand this image Start button , 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 by using these methods, go to the "Next Steps" section.

*Video: How to determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a 64-bit edition of Windows * Windows XP *If you have Windows XP, there are two methods to determine whether you are running a 32-bit version or a 64-bit version. If one method does not work, try the other method.* 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*. Collapse this imageExpand this image *Note *<Year> is a placeholder for a year. Method 2: View the 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*IA-**64* or *AMD64*, 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. Windows Server 2003 *If you have Windows Server 2003, there are two methods to determine whether you are running a 32-bit version or a 64-bit version. If one method does not work, try the other method.* 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 the 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 *IA-*64**, 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. Collapse this imageExpand this image *Notes* * To find the computers 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. Back to the top <#top>| Give Feedback <#survey> NEXT STEPS <javascript:void(0);> If you cannot use these methods to determine the operating system bit count, unfortunately this article can't help you any further. As a next step, you might want to ask someone that you know for help, or you might want to contact Support. For information about how to contact Support, go to the Microsoft Support <http://support.microsoft.com/contactus> (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus) website. The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products. Back to the top <#top>| Give Feedback <#survey> Properties <javascript:void(0);> Article ID: 827218 - Last Review: February 12, 2013 - Revision: 13.0 Applies to * * * * * * * * * * * * Microsoft Windows XP Professional Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition Windows Vista Business Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition Windows Vista Enterprise Windows Vista Home Basic

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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