How to Check If Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit?

One of the most popular questions for the last 20 years is my Windows operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit. Even the 64-bit operating systems are very popular for the last 10 years there are also 32-bit operating systems.

What Is the Difference Between 32-bit vs 64-bit Windows Operating System?

From the user point of view there is very little difference between 32-bit and 64-bit operating system. Both operating systems provides the same tools as 32-bit and 64-bit. The difference is 64-bit operating systems can run 32-bit applications without problem but 32-bit operating systems can not run 64-bit applications. Early 1990’s 32-bit Windows operating systems and applications are emerged which provides more ram capacity and little bir more performance. In the mids 2000’s 64-bit Windows operating systems are emerged which also offers and handle more RAM and disk capacity.

Check 32-bit or 64-bit via System GUI

The System tool provides basic and important information about the Windows operating system. This System tool is provided by all major Windows operating systems like Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows Server versions. The System tool can be opened in different ways but the most practical way is using the File Explorer .

• First open the File Explorer

• In the System menu the About screen is displayed like below. In the System type line the 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor is displayed like below.

Check 32-bit or 64-bit via System Information GUI

Windows operating system is architecture can be also displayed via the System Information . This lists wheter the current Windows operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit.

• Click to the Start Menu and type system information which lists the System Information. Click to the Open like below.

In the following screen the System Type line provides information about the Windows operating system architechture. The x64-based PC means the Windows is 64-bit.

Check 32-bit or 64-bit via MS-DOS Command Line Interface

The MS-DOS command line can be used to learn if the current Windows operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit. The wmic command is used to print OSArchitecture.

wmic os get OSArchitecture

Alternative way is printing the %PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE% environment variable which stores the architecture of the Windows operating system. We can simply print it with the echo command.

echo %PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE%

These two methods can be also used in PowerShell easily without any problem.