How to find how many bits your computer system has

Is my computer system 32-bit or 64-bit?

It is important to determine if your Windows Operating System is 32-bit or 64-bit for a variety of reasons. Many programs and games are compatible with 32 or 64 bit Windows systems. It you install a 64-bit program on a 32-bit computer system, it is unlikely to function correctly or work at all.

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system.

Here’s how to find out how many bits your computer system has:

Windows 7, Vista, and XP

1. Click the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.

2. In the System section, you can view the system type.

Windows 8 and 10

1. On a Windows 8 and 10 Operating System you can go to the metro screen and search the term “info” to obtain your PC Info.

2. The PC Info screen tells you your model, product ID, processor, installed RAM, system type (32-bit or 64-bit), and other information.

3. If you have a 64-bit computer the PC Info screen will state that you have a 64-bit Operating System or x64-based processor in the System type section.