When we refer to the architectures on which both the processors of our PC have been developed, as well as the software we use, these are usually 32 or 64 bits. It is true that the first of the modalities, over the years, gradually disappears in favor of the use of 32-bit architectures .
This is logical, in fact it could be said that it is the law of life. And it is that as the technology becomes more complex and powerful, the architectures on which all this is based also have to evolve. But the transition from 32 to 64 bits globally is something that has been developing for years, and those that remain. What’s more, there are still many millions of computers around the world based on 32-bit architectures operating at full capacity.
However, as we mentioned, everything related to technology does not stop evolving. We tell you this because, sooner or later, the change from 32 to 64 bits will be inevitable. But with everything and with it both architectures at the moment, in the middle of the year 2020, coexist in an appropriate way. What’s more, we can affirm that sometimes, if we focus on the software sector, we don’t know if it is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Current software tends to 64 bit
Keep in mind that in current times, most processors have 64-bit architecture . Of course, as we mentioned before, many users continue to work perfectly with older or limited equipment based on 32-bit processors.
On the other hand, and when it comes to the software section, there are still many applications and operating systems that are compiled with 32-bit architectures. What this means is that it may be the case that when installing a program on the PC it does not work due to incompatibility in this sense. For example, this is something that we will find if we have a 32-bit equipment, and we try to use a 64-bit software. In this case, some users with no experience in these matters, may feel somewhat confused.
At the same time it is also worth knowing that even an operating system powered by Windows 10 also has its 32-bit version. True, it is less widespread than 64, but it exists so that compatible processors can install it. Well, to avoid all this, in these same lines we are going to show you the way to know the architecture used by our Windows 10 or by the installed applications. Keep in mind that today many software developers launch their projects in both ways so that we can choose.
How to know if I use Windows 10 32 or 64 bit
Well, if we focus on the section of the operating system for desktops that is most used around the world, Windows 10, we will help you out of doubts. It may be the case that we have been using the same system for many years, but in reality we do not know if it is the 32 or 64 bit version . However, to resolve any doubts we may have in this regard, we are going to help you, it is simple. The first thing we will do is open the Windows Settings application.
Say that we can access this section of Windows using the Win + I key combination. Then a new window will appear with several options, but the one that interests us in this case is the so-called System , where we click. Well, on the left side of the interface that appears, we see various entries, so we go down to the last one, the one called About.
Here we will find a good amount of information on both the equipment and the system. Between this we can already see the architecture of both the processor of our PC and the Windows system we are using.
How to tell if an application is 32-bit or 64-bit
On the other hand, we find ourselves referring to the applications or programs that we use daily on the Windows-based computer. As we have mentioned, these can be 32 or 64 bits, so we will see how we can know exactly. It is worth mentioning that 64-bit Windows systems can run both 32-bit and 64-bit programs. Hence the importance of knowing the architecture of a certain application.
Know the architecture from Windows itself
We tell you this because in most cases it is recommended to use the most modern, the 64. This is preferable, for example, for security reasons, since 32-bit programs are much more vulnerable. Well, to perform the check, the first thing we will do is access the System Task Manager.
Say that to open it, we can do it through the key combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc , with which we see the Task Manager appear. In the case that concerns us now, we must click on the Details tab. Then, with the right mouse button, click on the header of any column to click on the Select columns option. Several sections will appear from which to choose, which are the ones that we can add to the Task Manager.
Therefore, in the list of options that will appear, we must search for and activate the Platform call. In this way we will see how a new column with the same name appears, where we can already check the architecture of each of the running applications . It is evident that if we are interested in knowing the data of some that does not appear, we will first have to put it into operation.
Learn about architecture with another application
As we see this is a very simple method to know this data that we discussed, but it is something that we can also find out with a third-party program. This is the case that we are going to talk about just now. Specifically we refer to the application called ExeProperties that you can download from this link .
Say that once we have installed the application, what it does is add a new tab to the Properties of the file. Thus, the click the right mouse button on an executable file, select Properties and tab Exe / Dlld info see the architecture of the application.