How to tell if your Win8 is 32 or 64bit.

[jfelano]

I recently downloaded and installed Win8.

When I go to AMD.com to download my graphics drivers it asks if I have Win 8 32 bit or 64bit, I'm kind of surprised they still even make a 32bit OS, so how do I know what mine is?

 

[mechBgon]

From the start screen, type "show which operating system" and it'll find "Show which operating system your computer is running." In the resulting panel, look at the "System type" line and it'll say if it's 64-bit. Hopefully it is 64-bit, both for the ability to use over 4GB of RAM, and because that's a key requisite for Enhanced Protected Mode and possibly some other security enhancements.

 

[jfelano]

It says 64bit. Thank you.

 

[corkyg]

Another way is to just look at the filename you downloaded. That is in the filename.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Or windows key+pause

 

[seepy83]

From the start screen, type "show which operating system" and it'll find "Show which operating system your computer is running." In the resulting panel, look at the "System type" line and it'll say if it's 64-bit. Hopefully it is 64-bit, both for the ability to use over 4GB of RAM, and because that's a key requisite for Enhanced Protected Mode and possibly some other security enhancements.

Interesting...I just installed Win 8 Enterprise (64-bit) on a VM a couple of days ago, and typing "Show..." results in "No apps match your search".

Edit: Nevermind..you have to have "settings" instead of Apps highlighted under the search box. Any way to get it to default to searching all of the above (Apps, Settings, and Files)?

 

[sswingle]

From the start screen, type "show which operating system" and it'll find "Show which operating system your computer is running." In the resulting panel, look at the "System type" line and it'll say if it's 64-bit. Hopefully it is 64-bit, both for the ability to use over 4GB of RAM, and because that's a key requisite for Enhanced Protected Mode and possibly some other security enhancements.

Crap that sounds convoluted.

 

[sham63]

From the desktop (not Start screen) move your mouse to the upper right corner. Then select the settings charm, then select Control Panel, System and Security, then System. The control panel looks just like the Windows 7 Control Panel.

Jim

 

[sham63]

From the desktop (not Start screen) move your mouse to the upper right corner. Then select the settings charm, then select Control Panel, System and Security, then System. The control panel looks just like the Windows 7 Control Panel.

Jim

There is an easier way to get to the Control Panel. From the desktop go to the upper right and select the search charm. Scroll to the right until you reach Windows System. The Control Panel is in that group.

Jim

 

[WildW]

There is an easier way to get to the Control Panel. From the desktop go to the upper right and select the search charm. Scroll to the right until you reach Windows System. The Control Panel is in that group.

Jim

Or in this case, go to the bottom-left corner, right click, choose system.

 

[uallas5]

Or in this case, go to the bottom-left corner, right click, choose system.

Thanks Wild.

Another way if you're on the desktop and in Explorer. Just click on Desktop in the left hand tree, there's the old Win7 Control Panel icon there.