32-bit and 64-bit Windows: Frequently asked questions

Windows 11 doesn't have a 32-bit version and is 64-bit only. To confirm:

1. Select Start and then select Settings > System > About .
   
   Or select the following About shortcut:
   
   Open About

2. In the System> About window that opens, the architecture version of Windows can be found next to System type under Device specifications. It's listed as the operating system type.

1. Select Start and then select Settings > System > About .
   
   Or select the following About shortcut:
   
   Open About

2. In the About window that opens, the architecture version of Windows can be found next to System type under Device specifications. It's listed as the operating system type.

Windows 11 doesn't have a 32-bit version and is 64-bit only. Installs will always be 64-bit.

To install a 64-bit version of Windows, you need a CPU that's capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows. The benefits of using a 64-bit operating system are most apparent when you have a large amount of random-access memory (RAM) installed on your computer, typically 4 GB of RAM or more. In such cases, because a 64-bit operating system can handle large amounts of memory more efficiently than a 32-bit operating system, a 64-bit system can be more responsive when running several programs at the same time and switching between them frequently. Almost all modern devices have a CPU that's capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows.

Windows 11 doesn't have a 32-bit version and is 64-bit only so any device running Windows 11 is capable of a 64-bit version of Windows. To confirm:

1. Select Start and then select Settings > System > About .
   
   Or select the following About shortcut:
   
   Open About

2. In the System> About window that opens, the architecture version of Windows can be found next to System type under Device specifications. It's listed as the processor type.

1. Select Start and then select Settings > System > About .
   
   Or select the following About shortcut:
   
   Open About

2. In the About window that opens, the architecture version of Windows can be found next to System type under Device specifications. It's listed as the processor type.