This step-by-step article describes how to determine whether a computer is runni ng a 32-bit Microsoft Windows operating system or a 64-bit

Microsoft Windows ope rating system. To determine whether your computer is running a 32-bit Windows op erating system or a 64-bit Windows operating system, examine the system informat ion. To do this, use one of the following methods : Windows Vista Method 1 1. Click Start, type system in the Start Search box, and then click system in th e 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 S ystem type under System. Method 2 1. Click Start, type system in the Start Search box, and then click System Infor mation 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, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK. 2. Click the General tab. The operating system appears as follows: For a 64-bit v ersion 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 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 valu e that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bi t version of the Windows operating system. If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with ia64 or AMD64, the comput er 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 v ersion operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition ap pears 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 valu e that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bi t version of the Windows operating system. If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with EM64T or ia64, the comput er is running a 64-bit version of the Windows operating system. Note: - Intel Itanium-based computers can only run 64-bit versions of Windows. I ntel Itanium-based computers cannot run a 32-bit Windows operating system. Curre ntly, 64-bit versions of Windows only run on Itanium-based computers and AMD64-b ased computers.