How do I tell if my computer can run a bit version of Windows? Need more help? Join the discussion. Was this information helpful? Yes No. Thank you! Any more feedback? The more you tell us the more we can help. Can you help us improve? Resolved my issue. Clear instructions. Easy to follow. No jargon. Like Windows, Linux can be bit or bit. You can see which you're running with the lscpu command.
The quickest and easiest way to see if you're running a bit or bit version of Windows is to check what it says in Control Panel. Another simple method to finding out which OS architecture you're running in Windows is to check the Program Files folder.
There's more information on that below. To see the hardware architecture, you can open Command Prompt and enter the command:. You might get a response like AMD64 to indicate that you have a x64 based system, or x86 for bit. Another command that works is:. That command should result in much more text, but then end with a response like one of these:. The best way to use one of these commands is to copy them here on this page and then right-click in the black space in Command Prompt , and paste the command.
These commands only tell you the hardware architecture, not the kind of Windows version you're running. It's likely that they're the same since x86 systems can only install a bit version of Windows, but it's not necessarily true since a bit version of Windows can be installed on x64 systems, too.
Knowing the difference is important so you can be sure to install the right kinds of software and device drivers. For example, when given the option between downloading a bit or bit version, a bit software program is the better choice. However, it won't run at all if you're on a bit version of Windows. One of the only real, notable differences for you, the end user, is that it's possible that after downloading a large program, you'll find that you've wasted that time since it won't run on your specific computer.
This is true if you've downloaded a bit program that you expect to use on a bit OS. However, some bit programs can run just fine on a bit system. In other words, bit programs are compatible with bit operating systems.
That rule, however, isn't always true, and that's especially the case with some device drivers since hardware devices require the exact version to be installed in order for it to interface with the software i. Another time when bit and bit differences come into play is when troubleshooting a software issue or looking through a program's installation directory.
It's important to realize that bit versions of Windows have two different install folders since they also contain a bit directory. However, a bit version of Windows only has one install folder.
To make this a tad more confusing, the bit version's Program Files folder is the same name as the bit Program Files folder on a bit version of Windows. One example for why this is the case is so that a bit program doesn't try to use a bit DLL , which won't work. Instead, when a bit program is installed in the bit Program Files folder, and then you run said program, Windows knows that it needs to pull up some bit specific files instead of those used for bit programs.
If you're confused, look here:. On a bit version of Windows are two folders:. On a bit version of Windows is one folder:. For example, maybe you want a video editing program to have access to larger amounts of RAM than what it could use on a bit system. Or, if you know that a piece of hardware you use doesn't have a bit driver option, then you know you can't use it with a bit computer. The same is true for old bit applications that might not work on a bit computer; knowing this can help you decide if you should make the switch to a bit computer or stick to bit.
The Internet Protocol address, commonly referred to as IP address , is the identification number for network hardware connected to a network.
A bit microprocessor allows computers to process data and memory address which are represented by 64 bits. If you want to consider replacing your old computers to get better performance, you should better upgrade to bit computers if your software is compatible with a bit processor. Most computers sold today will have bit processors and more and more software which is available in a bit version.
Therefore, you must make sure all of the software you wants should able to run in a bit version. Skip to content. Report a Bug.
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