32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions:
32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.
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.
To find out if your computer is running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows in Windows 7 or Windows Vista, do the following:
Open System by clicking the Start button 
, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties. Under System, you can view the system type.
If your computer is running Windows XP, do the following:
Click Start.
Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
If you don't see "x64 Edition" listed, then you're running the 32-bit version of Windows XP.
If "x64 Edition" is listed under System, you're running the 64-bit version of Windows XP.
To install a 64-bit version of
Windows 7, you need a CPU that's capable of running a 64-bit version of
Windows. The benefits of using a 64-bit operating system are most apparent when you have a large amount of random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer, typically 4 GB of RAM or more. In such cases, because a 64-bit operating system can handle large amounts of memory more efficiently than a 32-bit operating system, a 64-bit system can be more responsive when running several programs at the same time and switching between them frequently. For more information, see
Installing and reinstalling Windows 7.
To run a 64-bit version of Windows, your computer must have a 64-bit-capable processor. To find out if your processor is 64-bit-capable in Windows 7 or Windows Vista, do the following:
Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and then, in the list of results, click Performance Information and Tools. Do one of the following:
In Windows 7, click View and print detailed performance and system information.
In Windows Vista, click View and print details.
In the System section, you can see what type of operating system you're currently running under System type, and whether or not you can run a 64-bit version of Windows under 64-bit capable. (If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won't see the 64-bit capable listing.)
To see whether a computer running Windows XP is capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows, do the following:
Click Start.
Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
You can use the Upgrade option during
Windows 7 installation, which preserves your files, settings, and programs, only if you're currently running a 32-bit version of
Windows Vista and you want to upgrade to the 32-bit version of
Windows 7. Similarly, if you are running a 64-bit version of
Windows Vista, you can only perform an upgrade to a 64-bit version of
Windows 7. For more information, go to
Upgrading to Windows 7: frequently asked questions on the
Windowswebsite.
If you want to move from a 32-bit version of
Windows to a 64-bit version of
Windows 7 or vice versa, you'll need to back up your files and choose the Custom option during
Windows 7 installation. Then, you'll need to restore your files and reinstall your programs. For more information about performing a custom installation, see
Installing and reinstalling Windows 7.
Notes
To install a 64-bit version of Windows 7 on a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using a 64-bit Windows 7 installation disc or files.
If you start your computer using a 64-bit Windows 7 installation disc or files, but your computer isn't capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows, you'll see a Windows Boot Manager error. You'll need to use a 32-bit Windows 7installation disc or files instead.
Windows Easy Transfer can't transfer files from a 64-bit version of
Windows to a 32-bit version of
Windows. If you're running a 64-bit version of
Windows Vista but you plan to install a 32-bit version of
Windows 7, you can move your files to an external location manually or use Backup and Restore in
Windows Vista. For more information, go to
Back up your files and
Restore a backup created on a previous version of Windows on the
Windows website. (If you're running a 64-bit version of
Windows XP, you'll need to move your files to an external location manually.)
Most programs designed for the 32-bit version of Windows will work on the 64-bit version of Windows. Notable exceptions are many antivirus programs.
Device drivers designed for the 32-bit version of
Windows don't work on computers running a 64-bit version of
Windows. If you're trying to install a printer or other device that only has 32-bit drivers available, it won't work correctly on a 64-bit version of
Windows. To learn how to check for drivers, see
Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly or go to the device manufacturer's website. You can also get information about drivers by going to the
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor webpage.
If the program is specifically designed for the 64-bit version of Windows, it won't work on the 32-bit version of Windows. (However, most programs designed for the 32-bit version of Windows do work on the 64-bit version of Windows.)
To find programs and devices that work with Windows 7, look for products that display the "Compatible with Windows 7" logo. They've been tested to be compatible with both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7.
You can also go online to the
Windows 7 Compatibility Center and check to see whether the program or device is compatible with the 64-bit version of
Windows 7. Hardware and software manufacturers continue to update this information, so check back often.
Yes. All hardware devices need 64-bit drivers to work on a 64-bit version of Windows. Drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows don't work on computers running 64-bit versions of Windows.
Article ID: MSW700010
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