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Jump to a Section. Not sure if your installed version of Windows is bit or bit? If you're running Windows XP, chances are it's bit.

However, if you're on Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, the chance that you're running a bit version goes up considerably. Of course, this isn't something you want to take a guess at. Knowing if your copy of Windows is bit or bit becomes very important when installing device drivers for your hardware and choosing between certain kinds of software. One quick way to tell if you're running a bit or bit version of Windows is by looking at information about your operating system installation in Control Panel.

However, the specific steps involved depend a lot on which operating system you're using. Another quick and simple way to check if you're running a bit or bit version of Windows is to check the "Program Files" folder. There's more on that at the very bottom of this page. Open the Control Panel. You can check your Windows system type much faster from the Power User Menu , but it's probably speedier that way only if you're using a keyboard or mouse.

With that menu open, select System and then skip to Step 4. Choose System and Security within Control Panel. If so, select System and then skip to Step 4. Choose System. System command from Run or Command Prompt. Find the Device specifications area Windows 11 , or the System area, located under the large Windows logo.

Within there, next to System type , it will say either bit Operating System or bit Operating System. The second bit of information, either xbased processor or xbased processor , indicates the hardware architecture. It's possible to install a bit edition of Windows on either an x86 or x64 based system, but a bit edition can only be installed on x64 hardware.

Choose System and Security. Select System. Locate the System area below the oversized Windows logo, and look for System type among the other statistics about your computer. This will report either bit Operating System or bit Operating System. Now you know whether you have Windows 7 bit or bit.

Select Control Panel from the Start menu. Choose System and Maintenance. If you're viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Just open System instead and then proceed to Step 4. Locate the System area below the big Windows logo. Within that section is one called System type. Look here to see if you have Windows Vista bit or bit, indicated by either bit Operating System or bit Operating System.

You should now know whether you have Windows Vista bit or bit. Select Start and then choose Control Panel. Select Performance and Maintenance. Locate the System area to the right of the Windows logo. Under System is basic information about the version of Windows XP installed on your computer:.

If you have either of these editions of Windows XP, you're running a bit operating system. Now you know if you're running Windows XP bit or bit. This method isn't as easy to understand as using Control Panel but it does provide a quick way of checking on whether you're running a bit or bit version of Windows, and is especially helpful if you're looking for this information from a command line tool.

If your version of Windows is bit, you're able to install both bit and bit software programs, so there are two different "Program Files" folders on your computer. However, bit versions of Windows have just one folder since they can only install bit programs.

Here's an easy way to comprehend this Two program folders exist on a bit version of Windows :. Therefore, if you find only one folder when checking this location, you're using a bit version of Windows.

If there are two "Program Files" folder, you're for sure using a bit version. The difference between Windows bit and bit is processing power. A bit processor can handle more data simultaneously, so it's more capable overall. Most new processors are based on the bit architecture and are fully compatible with bit operating systems. Select Run this program in compatibility mode for and choose the version in which you want to run the program.

To upgrade Windows 10 to bit , you'll have to perform a clean install, so back up all your data; ensure you have a bit CPU. Shut down your computer, plug in the flash drive, and follow the Windows setup prompts. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies.

Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. By Tim Fisher. Tim Fisher. Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience.

He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. Reviewed by Chris Selph. Tweet Share Email. In This Article Expand. Step-by-Step: Check Windows 11, 10, or 8.

Step-by-Step: Check Windows 7. Step-by-Step: Check Windows Vista. Frequently Asked Questions. Don't see it? Just choose System and then proceed to Step 4. There is no bit version of Windows 7 Starter Edition. There is no bit version of Windows Vista Starter Edition. If you don't see this link, open System and then go down to Step 4. You should be on the General tab in System Properties.

What's the difference between Windows bit and bit? How do I run bit programs on bit Windows? How do I upgrade from bit to bit Windows 10? Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error.

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