If you do not know what bitness of the operating system is installed on your computer, then this will be discussed in this article.
Typically, users do not often ask this question. Most often, find out the bit depth of the operating Windows systems may be required if you want to install any program, game or driver on your computer.
Beginning with Windows versions XP, operating systems may have different type bit depth:
– 32-bit OS – x32(can be designated x86);
– 64-bit OS – x64.
The main feature of 64-bit operating systems is that they are capable of working with large volumes of random access memory. Even if your computer or laptop has 4 GB of RAM installed, all running applications on 32-bit systems will use no more than 3 GB. Therefore, if you have 4 GB of RAM or more, it makes sense to install a 64-bit Windows operating system.
It should also be noted that if you download a program for a 64-bit OS, but you have a 32-bit OS installed, you will not be able to install it on your computer. In the event that everything is the other way around: you downloaded it for a 32-bit OS, but a 64-bit OS is installed, the program will be installed and will work.
Let's summarize. A 32-bit operating system does not use more than 3 GB of RAM, no matter how much is installed on the computer. And secondly, programs for 32-bit Windows operating systems will work normally in 64-bit ones, but not vice versa.
Now let's move on to the main topic of the article, and consider how to determine the bitness of the operating system Windows installed on your computer.
To find out the bitness of the Windows 7 operating system, on the Desktop, click on the “Computer” shortcut right click mouse and select "Properties" from the drop-down menu.
If you don’t have such a shortcut, go to the “Start” menu and right-click on the “Computer” button there. Go to "Properties".
A window will open in which you will see all the basic information about the computer. The “System type” line will indicate the Windows bit depth.
If you need find out the bitness of the Windows 8 system, press the key combination “Ctrl+E”, the “Computer” window will open. Right-click on an empty space in it and go to “Properties”.
There is another way to open a window with basic system information. Press "Ctrl+I" to open the side pop-up panel. Select on it "Computer Information".
In the “System” window, the “System type” field will indicate the bit depth.
An article about that is already on the site. By following the link, you can familiarize yourself with it.
Most quick way, which will help you find out the bitness of the operating system - press the key combination Win+Pause. It works in all mentioned versions of Windows.
Now you know how to determine the bitness of the Windows 7, 8, 10 operating system and can correctly select the software, applications and drivers that will match it.
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- Processor - AMD Athlon X4 870K with support for x86-x64 architecture;
- Motherboard - ASRock FM2A88X PRO3+;
- RAM - Kingston 4 GB DDR3 2133 MHz.
Having purchased new laptop or having assembled a desktop PC without a pre-installed operating system, many people wonder which version of Windows to install, 32-bit or 64-bit. To solve this problem, we have prepared material in which we will explain to our readers what the difference between 32 And 64-bit operating systems Windows, and which one is better. In addition, we will show with examples how to determine the bit depth of Windows and in what cases you need to install a 32 or 64 operating system.
Let's find out what the difference is between 32 and 64 bit Windows
There are currently two processor architectures that are used in Windows OS, namely x86 And x64. Each processor architecture defines length of data types and addresses that are supported by the operating system. That is, the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows lies in the amount of RAM that can be used in the OS. For example, in 32 bit system you can only use 4 GB RAM, and in 64's bit system up to 192 GB RAM.
Nowadays almost all processors manufactured by AMD and Intel support x86 and x64 architecture. Therefore, in most cases, no matter what bit version of Windows you install, it will work using x86 and x64 instructions of a modern processor. But when it comes to old computer with process with old architecture x86, which has a x64 command set, then installing a 64-bit OS on it will work, but does this make sense? For example, let's take the old samsung laptop R60, which has an x86 processor installed Intel Celeron 520 with EM64T instruction set.
This single core chip only supports 2 GB random access memory. It also supports x64 architecture, but there is no point in installing a 64-bit OS on a laptop with this chip, since it is designed for x64 processors that support a large amount of memory.
On this moment 32-bit versions of Windows remain quite popular, since there are still a lot of old PCs that have a volume RAM does not exceed 4 GB. In addition, Windows XP has become very popular. If you remember the release of XP back in 2001, you can find out that it was supplied only in a 32-bit version. And already in 2005, XP received support for the x64 processor architecture and was released in a 64-bit version. Since 2001, XP remained the most popular OS in the world, so drivers and programs were written for it only in 32-bit.
Which OS 32 and 64 bit versions is better?
For the user to do right choice, and in the future he would not have to change the OS, we will look at an example of assembling a desktop computer with small amount of RAM. For example, a user decided to save on RAM and assembled a system based on the following:
From the example it is clear that the user saved on memory in order to expand it in the future. On such a system you can install both 32 and 64 bit Windows. If you install, for example, Windows 7 32-bit version on such a configuration, and you want to add RAM to it in the future, you will have problems with this. The problem will be that your Windows 7 simply won't see the added RAM, A expand her on motherboard ASRock FM2A88X PRO3+ can be up to 16 GB. In such a situation, for the system to see all the RAM, you will have to change the operating system from 32 bit to 64 bit. Therefore, it is easy to answer the question which OS is better for this configuration and this is definitely Windows 7 64 bit.
Determining the OS bit version in different versions of Windows
The first example we will take is Windows XP. To determine its bit depth, first of all you need to go to the menu “ Start» and go to computer properties as shown in the image below.
The image shows that the operating system is installed " Microsoft Windows XP Professional" This inscription means that the system is 32 bit. For a 64 bit OS, you would see " Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" as shown in the image below.
To determine the bit depth in Windows 7, we should go to the computer properties in the same way as in the previous example. To do this, go to the menu “ Start" and go to the computer properties, as shown in the image below.
After these steps, a window will appear in which you can find out the system properties.
In this window we are interested in the inscription “ System type: 32-bit operating system" From this inscription it is clear which Windows 7 operating system is installed on the PC.
To determine the bit depth in Windows 10, you need to go to the “ Start» to the settings tab.
In the parameters that open, you need to go to the “ System" In chapter " System"you need to go to the point " About the system».
From the figure above you can see that in our case it is installed 64 bit operating system.
Determining the processor bit type
To determine the processor type, we need a utility CPU-Z. The utility is distributed as installation file And How portable version. You can download the utility from its official website www.cpuid.com. After downloading, we will launch the utility on the system based on AMD processor Trinity A6-5400K.
In the text block " Instructions"The program window contains a whole bunch of different processor instructions. We need instructions " x86–x64" This instruction means that in a PC with this processor you can install both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows. If we open the program in a configuration based on an AMD Sempron 2600+ processor, we will not find x86-x64 instructions.”
It follows from this that you can only install on it 32 bit operating systems.
In the same way, as shown in the example, you can check any processor for its capacity. I would also like to note that CPU-Z Works on all current operating systems from Microsoft.
Let's deal with Windows versions when purchasing
If you buy a boxed version of Windows 10, then using installation disk you can install both a 32-bit and a 64-bit operating system on your PC. But if you're purchasing the OEM version, which is aimed at PC builders, be careful.
If you take a 32-bit OEM version of the OS, then you will not be able to upgrade from it to a 64-bit one as is the case with the boxed version. Also in online stores you can still find various versions of Windows 7 for sale. The distribution model for boxed and OEM editions of the seven is the same as that of the ten.
New OS support for older processors
If you have an old processor-based computer Intel Pentium 4 and you want to upgrade to the new Windows 8 or 10 OS, then you will have problems. New operating systems from Microsoft does not support ancient processors. These computers still run Windows XP reliably, but it is no longer safe to use this OS these days. XP has been around for a long time doesn't receive updates And the new software no longer supports this operating system.
Using XP with Internet access is a pretty bad idea, since this OS is a breeding ground for various malware and viruses. The only option is to use Linux OS, which undemanding to resources computer.
One such OS is . Lubuntu OS is based on Ubuntu, so it is constantly updated and has good support. You can download the Lubuntu image for burning to disk on its official website http://lubuntu.net. After burning to the Lubuntu disk, you can safely start from it. Lubuntu does not need to be installed on your PC and can be launched directly from the disk.
This is necessary so that you can check the functionality of the OS and also check Lubuntu for compatibility with your CPU. Lubuntu, like Windows, is distributed in 32 and 64 bit versions. Installing Lubuntu on your old PC will make it last longer life cycle and better protect yourself from online threats.
Let's sum it up
From the above material it can be concluded that 32-bit Windows operating systems will cease to exist in the near future, but 64-bit OSes, on the contrary, will work on new PCs for many years to come.
If we look at the processor and OS market in general, we can observe that even mobile OS such as Android And iOS already have 64 bit support. It also follows from this that mobile operating systems will soon not be distributed in 32-bit form. We hope our article will help you choose the best option Windows OS will also allow you to determine what type of operating system is installed on your computer.
Video on the topic
When choosing a version of the Windows operating system, users usually think about the home or professional edition. However, there is another important difference factor - the operating system is 32 or 64 bit.
You've probably heard something about the fact that there are different bit sizes of systems, that they have their own differences. But how to understand them? Let's see where these designations come from and what they mean.
What does the number of bits mean?
The capacity of the computer architecture depends on central processor. Currently, most PC processors are divided into these two options - 32 and 64 bits. A 64-bit processor is more powerful than its 32-bit version; it is capable of processing a significantly larger amount of information per unit of time.
To understand the difference, you need to remember that for a computer any information is a sequence of zeros and ones, i.e. binary code. One bit can store one of two possible options– 0 or 1, in two bits – four variants of combinations of zeros and ones.
Likewise, a 32-bit system means there are 2 to the 32nd power of address bits, or 4,294,967,296. At the same time, a 64-bit system is two to the 64th power, that is, 18.446.744.073.709.551.616 cells for recording. In other words, approximately 4 million bytes (about 4 gigabytes) versus approximately 18 quintillion bytes (about 18 billion gigabytes).
If you are sure that your computer uses a 64-bit processor, you will also need to install a 64-bit operating system. The 32-bit version of Windows will run on a 64-bit processor, but you won't be able to use all the features of your device. However, you cannot install a 64-bit operating system on a 32-bit processor. However, 64-bit Windows works smoothly with programs written for 32-bit operating systems.
For the average user, there are two main differences between versions of Windows. The main one is that a 32-bit OS can only use up to 4 gigabytes of RAM. So even if your PC has 16 gigabytes of RAM, but is running a 32-bit version of Windows, only 4 GB will be used. There is no such limitation for 64-bit operating systems. Unless there is a minimum threshold - at least 1 GB of RAM.
Another feature is the difference between the Program Files folder. On a 32-bit OS, all programs are installed in this directory. On 64-bit systems, there is additionally a folder called Program Files (x86). This is due to the fact that programs for 32-bit architectures are written differently than for 64-bit ones.
Moreover, in the 64-bit version of Windows, 64-bit programs go into the Program Files folder, while 32-bit applications are sent to the strangely designated x86 directory. By the way, 64-bit systems are designated x64.
Previously, there were also 16-bit operating systems, such as Windows version 3.1. At the same time, programs of a similar order can still be run on 32-bit operating systems, but on 64-bit ones it will no longer work. Unless you use a special emulator for a 32-bit system.
Software bit rate
When installing new programs, pay attention to their bit depth. Some manufacturers offer a choice of 32 and 64 bits, others develop only 32-bit versions, and some automatically detect the version of your OS and install the appropriate version. In any case, if you have a 64-bit version of Windows installed, choose programs of a similar order whenever possible.
Often, the presence of a 64-bit program will not mean better performance than a younger version, but will at least affect its stability. Therefore, pay attention to the designations of software manufacturers, such as the words Version or Edition, before downloading the distribution kit from the official website.
Since the 32-bit version of the program works for everyone, developers often use it as the default solution. But we found out that for a 64-bit OS it is better to use a more modern software solution.
How to find out the OS version?
Having dealt with some of the features of 32 and 64-bit operating systems, let's find out where this designation is written in the Windows we have installed. To do this, just go to the system properties using one of available ways. For example, using the key combination Win + Break. For Windows 8 and 10, you can right-click on the Start menu and select the “System” menu item.
Basic information about your computer is displayed here: processor type, amount of RAM (installed or simply used, as is the case with 32-bit OSes) and Windows version. In the “System” area, in the “System type” column, there is information about the bitness of both the operating system and the processor used.
The bit size of the processor and operating system must match. Otherwise, you are recommended to upgrade your operating system to a 64-bit version. However, it will not be possible to upgrade a computer with a 32-bit processor to a 64-bit OS.
64-bit as standard
Slowly but surely, 64-bit computers are becoming the modern standard. If in Windows times XP, all these stories with bits confused even experienced users and caused problems for developers, then starting with Windows 7 the situation began to change.
4 gigabytes of RAM for a long time was sufficient for most purposes. Partly because processor development has not kept pace with offering affordable 64-bit solutions to the general public. At the beginning of 2017, four gigabytes of RAM is still enough to work in a number of areas. However, 64-bit processors are becoming more affordable and 32-bit systems are gradually becoming obsolete.
This forces developers software more actively switch to 64-bit architecture, which is gradually becoming a standard. And since the ceiling on the limitations of 64-bit systems is unlikely to be broken in the foreseeable future, then this standard comes for a long time.
A steady trend is noticeable in the modern computer market: instead of 32-bit operating systems, 64-bit operating systems are gaining popularity. Accordingly, PC equipment manufacturers are beginning to produce hardware adapted to the specifics of the respective software products. What are the features of a 64-bit OS? Which OS has better performance - 32-bit or 64-bit? Which is better for the modern user?
What is the difference between 32 and 64 bits?
First, some facts. Before determining which type of OS is preferable - a 32-bit system or a 64-bit system, which is better, let's examine how they actually differ.
Digital information is transmitted in bits, which are either zeros or ones. With 1 bit you can thus encrypt 2 commands. In turn, with the help of 32 bits, the number of possible commands increases by several tens of degrees. If we are talking about 64 bits - even more. Thus, it becomes obvious, for example, which Windows - 32 or 64-bit, works faster. Microsoft Company produces versions of both types of OS. Are there any fundamental differences between them in terms of interface and other nuances of operation?
Are there any differences between 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems in terms of use?
Relatively speaking, which “seven” is better - 32 or 64-bit, in terms of ease of management? In principle, there is no difference in this aspect between the indicated versions of Windows. All the differences between them come down to command support. These are processed almost unnoticed by the user. As we noted above, 64-bit commands provide a higher digital data transfer rate. However, this parameter is not the only efficiency criterion computer system. A number of other aspects of the OS are important - such as, for example, stability, versatility, resource intensity, and level of support for various hardware components.
Let's study which OS has more advantages for the modern user - a 32-bit system or a 64-bit one. Which is better in terms of running popular games and programs?
Comparison of 32 and 64-bit OS: stability
The stability of the OS is determined primarily by the quality of interaction between the corresponding and hardware components of the PC. In many ways, its level depends on the compatibility of the OS with the drivers produced by the manufacturer of a particular device. In this aspect, the difference between a 32-bit and a 64-bit system can be significant, and a brand that has released some hardware component for a 32-bit OS may need time to prepare and test a driver for a 64-bit operating system.
Note that the world's leading hardware manufacturers generally successfully avoid situations in which the owner of a 64-bit OS cannot find the required software for the purchased device. But this thesis is true mainly in relation to new devices. Those that were purchased before the mass distribution of 64-bit PCs - around the beginning of the 2010s - cannot always be installed correctly due to the lack of up-to-date drivers.
Comparison of 32 and 64-bit OS: versatility
An operating system classified as a 32 or 64-bit solution requires installation on a PC that can support the operation of the corresponding OS. That is, you can correctly install a 32-bit OS only on a PC that has a 32-bit processor. The same pattern is typical for 64-bit operating systems. In this sense, there is generally no mutual compatibility between operating systems, and their versatility becomes limited.
Resource intensity
The operation of any OS requires hardware resources - primarily the computing power of the processor, as well as the amount of RAM. Which system is better - 32 or 64-bit - in terms of resource consumption? We noted above that a bit is a unit of data transmission. If we are talking about large-volume information, then, accordingly, additional resources will be required to work with it. Therefore, it is completely natural that 32-bit OSes are much less demanding on resources than 64-bit ones. If, for example, 2 GB of RAM for a computer with a 32-bit operating system is, in principle, considered a normal indicator, then for the full functioning of a 64-bit OS this resource is minimal. It is desirable that the amount of RAM be 4 GB or more.
As for processor resources, in principle, if we are talking about 64-bit chips, then their structure contains the necessary technological components in order to satisfy the OS's need for computing speed. Therefore, it cannot be said that 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows are fundamentally different in terms of processor resource consumption.
Hardware support
We noted above that for a 64-bit OS to work correctly, the computer must have up-to-date drivers. But their presence guarantees stable functioning of the PC, primarily on program level. It is also necessary that the OS has hardware compatibility with key hardware components. As for devices such as, for example, a graphics accelerator, LAN card, printer - from the point of view of compatibility with them, it does not matter what OS is on the computer.
In turn, when it comes to support for RAM modules, the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems can be significant. The fact is that 32-bit OSes do not support RAM modules larger than 4 GB. In turn, 64-bit operating systems are fully compatible with them.
Another thing is whether in practice the user will have to use memory resources exceeding 4 GB. If the PC is used mainly for working with the Internet and office applications, then there may not be a need to use even half of the specified amount of RAM. It's another matter if the PC is used for games. Let's consider which operating systems may be preferable in this case.
Which OS is best for gaming?
Which better system for the game - 32 or 64 bit? Provided full hardware and software compatibility installed OS with hardware, higher performance, due to the objective reasons that we outlined above, in general, will have a 64-bit OS.
But this rule has an exception: the program code algorithms in the game itself must provide support for 64-bit commands. If this criterion is not met, then the user most likely will not notice any practical difference in the comfort of the gaming process.
Which OS is better for applications?
Which OS, in turn, is more optimal for running applications - a 32-bit system or a 64-bit system? What's better? In this case, the pattern is approximately the same as in the case of games.
If the user has a 64-bit PC at his disposal, and the program code of the application being used implements algorithms for processing 64-bit commands, then the corresponding software will work faster. If not, then a person will not feel much difference in computer performance.
“Megahertz” is a priority?
Among modern users, there is a common point of view according to which more high speed PC performance can be achieved not by “doubling” bits - that is, switching from 32-bit processors and OS to 64-bit, but by optimizing hardware resources that directly affect PC performance. Such as, for example, processor frequency.
According to many experts and users, it may be more effective, in particular, to replace a 32-bit chip operating at a frequency of 1.2 GHz with one that operates at 2.4 GHz than replacing it with a 64-bit chip operating at the same frequency. In some cases, it is possible to overclock a 32-bit processor so that its actual operating speed increases more noticeably than when replacing the chip with a 64-bit one.
This approach can be all the more justified if the user does not use programs and games adapted for 64-bit commands in his work. Thus, the practical significance of replacing 32-bit software and hardware components with 64-bit ones does not always become obvious.
Summary
So, which system is better - 32 or 64 bit? Objectively, the transfer of digital data when using 64-bit commands is faster, and therefore the corresponding OS will generally be more productive than a 32-bit one. But its successful use requires the PC to meet a number of conditions: the presence of a 64-bit processor (otherwise a 64-bit OS simply will not be installed on the computer), hardware support for operating in 64-bit mode, and the presence necessary drivers to it, compatibility of the software used on the computer, 64-bit commands.
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