The bit depth of the operating system primarily affects the amount of memory with which the system can work. A 32-bit operating system cannot address more than three gigabytes of RAM. As for modern programs, you won't really notice the difference, no matter what system you are running on - 32-bit or 64-bit. However, for hardware drivers, this value is important.
Necessary
- - computer;
- - administrator rights.
Instructions
Step 1
Find the "My Computer" shortcut on the desktop and right-click on it. Select "Properties" from the drop-down menu. Find the item "System Type" and look at the specified bit depth. It will be described in detail about the system parameters. As a rule, even a novice user can understand this information. There are other ways to find out the bitness of the system.
Step 2
Click the Start button and select Run. Thus, you will go to the computer registry, where various commands are executed by entering certain values. In the dialog box, enter the command winmsd.exe and press enter on the keyboard, or the "OK" button with the mouse. In the table that appears, find the inscription "Type". If the value in this item says "x86-based computer", then your operating system has 32 bits. If the value is Itanium-based Computer, then your operating system is 64-bit.
Step 3
The easiest way, if your operating system is licensed, is to look at the sticker with the license key. Usually it is attached by a computer assembler to the side of the system unit, and contains all the necessary information, including the full name of the installed Windows and its bit depth. If you have a laptop, then this data can be viewed on the back, that is, where the battery compartment is located.
Step 4
Don't worry if your operating system is 32-bit. All old applications either do not run at all on a 64-bit system, or they run too fast. As a rule, old games like "Tanchiki" or "Pacman" are still great fun, however, they require a 32-bit environment. Currently, the operating system of the 32-bit environment is used more often than the 64-bit one.
