Well, this question haunts each one of us right from the time when Windows Vista was launched. And when does the above question come? It comes up each time, we are to install a new software, or even during installation of our Device Drivers. Right?
Another easy way is to search online based on your processor type, and you will find a link to your processor manufacturing company, specifying its details.
Like in my case, the processor is Intel mobile core 2 duo and I found the specifications by Intel for the same by Googling it. Wherein, the details specified that my Processor supports Intel 64-bit Architecture.
We never had any problems to check such things for our machine, as life was too simple at the time of Windows XP. But with the gradual inventions in the direction of faster and better performing processors resulted in two different type of processors, one is the normal 32-bit and the other is 64-bit processor.
Now that we have understood the difference, lets get the solution of our question, what type of machine do I own. There are a few very simple and easy steps to know the type of machine you own. Lets have a look at them.
So firstly, lets understand a bit of technical information about this topic, what does it mean by 32-bit and 64-bit. These numbers represent the width of the Data Bus between the Processor and the Memory (RAM). In simple terms, there are two roads with equal distances connecting a source (your residence) and destination (your office) is 2-Lane (32-bit) and the other one is 4-Lane (64-bit).
Now that we have understood the difference, lets get the solution of our question, what type of machine do I own. There are a few very simple and easy steps to know the type of machine you own. Lets have a look at them.
Method 1: From Performance and Information Tools
- Right Click My Computer -> Properties.
- Click on Windows Experience Index.
- Windows Vista user would see the following screen.
- Windows 7 users would see the following screen.
- Now click on View and Print Details
Means, that we can load a 64-bit Operating System onto this hardware, as the Processor supports 64-bit Instructions.
Method 2: Using a Tool called CPU-Z
Well, this is a freeware and a cool Tool! This is the best way to check whether your machine is 64-bit supported or not. You can download it from cpuid.com.
Check the latest release on the right side, and download the one you want to.
On running this tool, the details you get are as follows:
For Intel, if the Instructions include EM64, then it is a 64-bit Processor.
While for AMD, if the Instructions include x86-x64, then it supports 64 operating system.
Another easy way is to search online based on your processor type, and you will find a link to your processor manufacturing company, specifying its details.
Like in my case, the processor is Intel mobile core 2 duo and I found the specifications by Intel for the same by Googling it. Wherein, the details specified that my Processor supports Intel 64-bit Architecture.
Comments, questions and reviews are very much welcome.