How to know if my computer is 32-bit or 64-bit Windows

Symptom

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.

Affected Brands

The above symptom is associated with, but not limited to, the following systems:

All Desktop and Laptops

Operating System

Windows 7, 8, 10

Solution

Windows 7 or Vista

Open System by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties  

Under System, you can view the system type.

Windows 8 and Windows 10

Method 1: View the System window in Control Panel

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.

Type system in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.

Tap or click System

If you are running a 64-bit version of Windows 8, 64-bit Operating System is displayed in the System type field under the System heading. If you are running a 32-bit version of Windows 8, 32-bit Operating System is displayed in the System type field under the System heading.
 

Method 2: View the System Information window

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.

In the search box, type system information

Tap or click System, tap or click System Information, and then click System Summary.

If you are running a 64-bit version of Windows 8, x64-based PC is displayed in the System type field under the Item heading.

If you are running a 32-bit version of Windows 8, x86-based PC is displayed in the System type field under the Item heading.