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.

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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.

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

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

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

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

    Thanks for this information. This was helpful for me!

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