Checking Whether an App is 64-bit or 32-bit on Windows 11 and 10
On both Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can run applications in 64-bit or 32-bit formats. In this guide, I will detail the steps to check which application type you are using. While the user interface of applications is similar across platforms, 64-bit applications have a significant performance advantage. A 64-bit application can utilize more than 4GB of RAM, leading to enhanced efficiency and speed compared to its 32-bit counterpart.
Although not all programs need to be 64-bit, it is preferable for applications that require more memory—such as Google Chrome and Visual Studio. To check if an application is 32-bit or 64-bit, Windows provides several straightforward methods utilizing Task Manager and File Explorer.
Keep in mind that Windows 10 supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems, while Windows 11 is exclusively 64-bit. If you are operating on a 32-bit version of the operating system, you can only run 32-bit applications.
This guide will walk you through the steps to quickly determine whether the applications installed on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 system are using the 64-bit or 32-bit architecture.
Check if an app is 64-bit or 32-bit on Windows 11
To determine the platform of an application on Windows 11, you can quickly use Task Manager or File Explorer by following these steps.
From Task Manager
To check the application platform using Task Manager on Windows 11, follow these steps:
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Open Start on Windows 11.
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Type Task Manager in the search bar and select the top result to open the application.
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Select the Details tab from the left pane.
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Right-click the “Name” column header and select the Select columns option.
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Enable the Platform option.
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Click OK to confirm.
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View the list of 64-bit and 32-bit applications running on your device.
From File Explorer
To verify if a Windows 11 application uses the 32-bit or 64-bit architecture, follow these steps:
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Open File Explorer.
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Select This PC from the left navigation pane.
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Open the C drive where Windows 11 is installed under the “Devices and drives” section.
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Check the Programs Files folder for 64-bit applications.
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Check the Programs Files (x86) folder for 32-bit applications.
After completing these steps, you will know the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of specific applications on your Windows 11 system.
Check if an app is 64-bit or 32-bit on Windows 10
Similarly, on Windows 10, you can also use Task Manager and File Explorer to identify the application platform. Here’s how to do it.
From Task Manager
To determine if an app is operating on a 64-bit or 32-bit platform on Windows 10, follow these instructions:
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Open Start on Windows 10.
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Type Task Manager in the search bar and select the top result to launch the app.
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Go to the Details tab.
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Right-click the “Name” column header and select Select columns.
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Check the Platform option.
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Click OK to finalize.
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Review the listed 64-bit and 32-bit applications running on your system.
Once these steps are completed, you’ll have clarity on the app architectures on your computer.
Future updates in Windows 10 will incorporate an Architecture option in Task Manager, allowing users to quickly identify if applications are 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64).
From File Explorer
To ascertain whether a Windows 10 application is 32-bit or 64-bit, follow these steps:
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Open File Explorer.
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Select This PC from the left navigation pane.
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Access the C drive where Windows 10 is installed under the “Devices and drives” section.
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Check the Programs Files folder for 64-bit applications.
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Check the Programs Files (x86) folder for 32-bit applications.
After completing the steps, you will know which applications can be upgraded to a 64-bit architecture for improved performance.
Update September 16, 2024: This guide has been revised to ensure accuracy and reflect changes in the process.
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