How to find out if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit processor type

If you're planning to install a Windows operating system and are unsure whether to choose the 32-bit or 64-bit version, this article will guide you through how to check your system's processor type ( x32 or x64 bit ) and choose the appropriate operating system.

The x32-bit processor architecture is an old technology that was commonly used in the early 1990s. It is capable of processing 32-bits at a time using the data bus. With advancements in technology, x64-bit processors are now widely available in the market, which can carry 64-bits at a time, twice the capacity of the older processors and much faster. Installing an x32-bit operating system on a x64-bit processor system can slow down system performance. Let’s find out how to determine your processor type and install the correct operating system on your PC.

You can find out whether your processor architecture is x32-bit or x64-bit in two ways.

Method #1

1. Click on the Start icon located in the bottom left corner of the screen, and then click on the Settings icon followed by System icon .

2. On the next screen, scroll down to the bottom of the left panel and click on About. Under About, you will see the basic information of your device. Look for the “System type” section as shown in the screenshot below, and you will find information about your processor type. For instance: 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor . In this example the “64-bit operating system is the operating system which is currently installed on this device and “ x64-based processor” is the processor information which is x64-bit processor. Your device processor could be either x64-based or x32-based.

Method #2

1. Click on Start and search for ”System Information” and from the results click to open it. Next, under the “System Summary” tab, look for “System type”. In the example below, the value of ”System type” is ”x64-based PC” which is a 64-bit processor.