You can run 64-bit and 32-bit applications on Windows 11 (and 10). In this post, I’ll walk you through how to determine which type you’re running. 64-bit apps have a performance advantage even if they look the same on all platforms. A 64-bit application is faster and more efficient than a 32-bit one since it can access more than 4GB of memory.
The 64-bit platform is desirable, especially for apps that can use more memory, like Google Chrome, Visual Studio, and many others, but it’s not a need for all apps. Using Task Manager and File Explorer, Windows offers two easy methods for determining if an application is 32-bit or 64-bit.
It’s important to note that Windows 11 is only available in 64-bit, whereas Windows 10 is accessible in both 32-bit and 64-bit. You can only run 32-bit applications if you’re running the 32-bit version of the operating system.
I’ll walk over how to easily find out if the programs installed on Windows 10 (or Windows 11) are 64-bit or 32-bit in this post.
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Check if an app is 64-bit or 32-bit on Windows 11
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Check if an app is 64-bit or 32-bit on Windows 10
Check if an app is 64-bit or 32-bit on Windows 11
Here’s how to easily identify the platform of the application you’re running on Windows 11 using Task Manager and File Explorer.
From Task Manager
Use these procedures to see if an app platform is available in Windows 11’s Task Manager:
Launch Windows 11.
To launch the app, search for Task Manager and select the top result.
Select Details from the window on the left.
Select the column option by right-clicking on the Namecolumn header.
Examine the Platform choice.
Press the “OK” button.
Verify that your PC is executing 64-bit and 32-bit applications.
From File explorer
Use these procedures to determine whether a Windows 11 application is 32-bit or 64-bit:
OpenFile Explorer.
From the navigation pane on the left, select “This PC.”
In the Devices and drives section, open the C drive containing Windows 11.
Open the Programs Files folder to verify that the applications are 64-bit.
Verify which 32-bit programs are accessing the Programs Files (x86) folder.
You will be able to identify the platform (architecture) of a particular Windows 11 application when you have finished the procedures.
Check if an app is 64-bit or 32-bit on Windows 10
Here’s how to check the program platform on Windows 10 using the Task Manager and File Explorer.
From Task Manager
Use these procedures to determine whether an application on Windows 10 is running on a 64-bit or 32-bit platform:
Launch Windows 10.
To launch the app, search for Task Manager and select the top result.
Press the Detailstab button.
Select the “Select columns” option by right-clicking on the Name column header.
Examine the Platform choice.
Press the “OK” button.
Verify which 32-bit and 64-bit programs are installed on your machine.
You will comprehend the program architectures operating on your computer after completing the processes.
Future iterations of Windows 10 will provide an Architecture option in Task Manager that will additionally indicate whether an application is 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64).
From File Explorer
Use these procedures to determine if a Windows 10 application is 32-bit or 64-bit:
OpenFile Explorer.
From the navigation pane on the left, select “This PC.”
In the Devices and drives section, open the C drive containing Windows 10.
Open the Programs Files folder to verify that the applications are 64-bit.
Verify which 32-bit programs are accessing the Programs Files (x86) folder.
You will know which apps require an upgrade to 64-bit architecture for improved performance once you have finished the steps.
Update September 16, 2024: To guarantee accuracy and take into account modifications to the procedure, this guide has been revised.