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

  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.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 2:31 am and is filed under Operating Systems. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

23 Responses to “How to Check if Windows Vista, XP and 2003 System Is 32-bit or 64-bit (x86 or x64) Version”

  1. D3sy
    December 29th, 2009 06:09
    23

    Thanks for the information. It’s really helpful! :-)

  2. Puneet
    December 22nd, 2009 20:42
    22

    Good ….cool idea

  3. George
    December 3rd, 2009 10:22
    21

    How can you find out if windows 2003 is R2 or not R2 ?

  4. Mr Casino
    November 20th, 2009 22:20
    20

    THANKS! the first method for vista was exactly what i needed

  5. Burhan Ismael
    October 26th, 2009 15:31
    19

    Thank you for your help, I really appreciated how simple have presented the notation…. I said keept it up…

  6. Enabling Onboard Graphics - TechSpot OpenBoards
    October 3rd, 2009 20:52
    18

    [...] 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 [...]

  7. Ruth Sharon Y
    September 18th, 2009 14:19
    17

    This info was very useful for me . Specially when i wanted to download softwares for XP.

  8. Neil
    September 16th, 2009 05:25
    16

    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).

  9. Sandesh
    July 20th, 2009 02:53
    15

    Thanks for the very useful info provided …..

  10. Azhar
    July 16th, 2009 00:36
    14

    Thnx 4 d good kind of information.
    keep good kind of work

  11. Ellgee
    May 22nd, 2009 20:10
    13

    Good, answered in new way. Thanks a lot.

  12. hallohx man
    April 13th, 2009 05:59
    12

    very useful
    great know-how
    great tip
    great advice
    thx dude

  13. name
    April 9th, 2009 05:24
    11

    Very useful

  14. dhilish
    March 18th, 2009 00:58
    10

    I find this as very useful

  15. Domingos Parreia
    March 17th, 2009 10:21
    9

    Thank`s Very helpful information

  16. Dennis Quek
    March 9th, 2009 10:26
    8

    Great summary for all OS.. thanks

  17. MBH
    January 24th, 2009 00:57
    7

    Thank you very much for the great lesson.

  18. Amit
    December 18th, 2008 14:34
    6

    Thanx buddy,that helped

  19. Sid
    December 10th, 2008 19:54
    5

    Thanks mate…. was very very helpful…

  20. stevegong
    December 9th, 2008 17:14
    4

    Thank you.
    Helped me to find out my system.

  21. Reechter
    November 19th, 2008 17:02
    3

    Thank you :)

  22. Athan
    August 29th, 2008 16:17
    2

    Thanks for this information. This was helpful for me!

  23. mnemo
    March 19th, 2008 03:43
    1

    Vista: Just press Windows+Break to open the System control panel (also works in XP).

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