How to Check if Windows Vista, XP and 2003 System Is 32-bit or 64-bit (x86 or x64) Version
You may receive a computer as a gift, and want to find out whether the 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 (See x86 or x64 OS). 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
- Click Start, then click on Run or Start Search.
- Type msinfo32.exe and then press Enter key.
- 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
- Click Start, type system in the “Start Search” box, and then click system in the “Programs” list.
- 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
- Click Start, type system in the “Start Search” box, and then click System Information in the “Programs” list.
- 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
- Click Start, then click on Run or Start Search.
- Type msinfo32.exe and then press Enter key.
- 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
- Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
- 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
- Click Start, click Run, type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
- 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
- Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
- 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
- Click Start, click Run, type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
- 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.
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November 20th, 2009 22:20
THANKS! the first method for vista was exactly what i needed
October 26th, 2009 15:31
Thank you for your help, I really appreciated how simple have presented the notation…. I said keept it up…
October 3rd, 2009 20:52
[...] card just because its getting hot and switching to the onboard adapter is no solution. Read this page to determine your OS Version (64 or 32 Bit). Also to enable onboard graphics: 1. Uninstall [...]
September 18th, 2009 14:19
This info was very useful for me . Specially when i wanted to download softwares for XP.
September 16th, 2009 05:25
Thanks for the info. When somebody buys a pc (even if not a gift, forgotten, changed owner etc) they may not care whether it is 32 or 64 bit or even know what that means.
It’s amazing how many techies think that not knowing this info is as weird as not knowing your dob (by the way, that stands for date of birth).
July 20th, 2009 02:53
Thanks for the very useful info provided …..
July 16th, 2009 00:36
Thnx 4 d good kind of information.
keep good kind of work
May 22nd, 2009 20:10
Good, answered in new way. Thanks a lot.
April 13th, 2009 05:59
very useful
great know-how
great tip
great advice
thx dude
April 9th, 2009 05:24
Very useful
March 18th, 2009 00:58
I find this as very useful
March 17th, 2009 10:21
Thank`s Very helpful information
March 9th, 2009 10:26
Great summary for all OS.. thanks
January 24th, 2009 00:57
Thank you very much for the great lesson.
December 18th, 2008 14:34
Thanx buddy,that helped
December 10th, 2008 19:54
Thanks mate…. was very very helpful…
December 9th, 2008 17:14
Thank you.
Helped me to find out my system.
November 19th, 2008 17:02
Thank you
August 29th, 2008 16:17
Thanks for this information. This was helpful for me!
March 19th, 2008 03:43
Vista: Just press Windows+Break to open the System control panel (also works in XP).