32 or 64-bit Computer
Which processor does your computer have?
An often confusing topic for most people made worse by the fact that the designation
for a 32-bit machine is x86 while a 64-bit machine is x64. Fortunately, it's easy
to tell what kind of machine you have. Follow these instructions for
Windox 7, Vista, and XP to find out if you have a 32 or 64-bit processor.
Windows 7 & Vista
- Click on the round Windows Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Right-click on the Computer menu item.
- Select Properties (see red circle) from the popup menu.
- Note that the system type on my Win 7 system is 32-bit (circled red below).
Windows XP
- Click on the oval Windows Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Click the Run option (red circle).
- When the Run dialog box appears, enter 'winmsd' and click the [OK] button.
- Note the Process Item (highlighted) has a value that begins with x86 (32-bit).
If this were as 64 bit system, the Processor Item would begin with x64.
Last updated: 5/22/2011
Compatibility: Windows 7, Vista, & XP