How to Determine the Bit Count for a Windows Computer

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: May 20, 2021

This wikiHow teaches you how to determine your Windows computer's bit count, which typically will be either 32- or 64-bit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Windows 10 and 8

1
Open Start
. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Start window will pop up.
- You can also just right-click Start (or press ⊞ Win+X) and click System in the resulting pop-up menu. If you do this, skip the next two steps.
2
Open Settings
. Click the gear-shaped icon in the bottom-left corner of the Start window. This will open the Settings window.

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3
Click System. It's a computer monitor-shaped icon in the Settings window.
4
Click About. This tab is at the bottom of the left-hand column of options. Doing so brings up a list of your computer's attributes.
5
Look for the "System type" heading. It's near the bottom of the "Device specifications" section toward the bottom of the window. You'll see either "64-bit" or "32-bit" to the right of "System type"; this is your computer's bit count.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Windows 7

1
Open Start
. Either click the Windows logo in the bottom-right corner of the screen, or press the ⊞ Win key.
2
Right-click Computer. It's on the right side of the Start window. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu.
- If the My Computer app is on your desktop, you can right-click it instead.
- If you're using a laptop with a trackpad, tap the trackpad with two fingers instead of right-clicking.
3
Click Properties. This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
4
Look for the "System type" heading. It's below the "Installed RAM" heading on this page. You'll see either "64-bit" or "32-bit" to the right of "System type"; this is your computer's bit count.

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Community Q&A

Question

Is there an easy way to install a 64-bit processor?

Community Answer

Yes, open up the PC. Look for a big fan. Unscrew the fan. Underneath the fan is a processor. Take out the processor. Put in a 64 bit processor (must purchase separately). Apply thermal paste. Put the fan back on. Close the computer.
Question

I'm building a new computer and have selected the AMD Athlon 760k Richland 3.8GHz. Is this a 64-bit processor?

Community Answer

This is, in fact, a 64-bit processor.
Question

What is a 64 bit PC?

Community Answer

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.
Question

Which version of Windows is good for a 32 bit processor?

UK_Gamer05

Community Answer

32 bit processors tend to be the older ones, although you really just have to check the specs on your processor, and the specs of the operating system. All OS's from Microsoft, including Windows 10, have 32-bit versions available.
Question

What is the difference between dual-core and an i7 microprocessor?

Community Answer

The term "core" generically refers to how many virtual processors are inside the physical chip, which is clearly 1 physical processor. Different versions of the Intel i7 chip may have a different number of cores. The goal is creating processors faster, more complex, with the possibility of more cores. The practical limit requires making the parts smaller, reducing "wire" size (many times smaller than a human hair), voltage, and heat.