Is my operating system 32-bit or 64-bit? How do I know and what are the differences?

If a few days ago we saw how we could find out if the applications we use on our PC with Windows 10 are 32 or 64-bit, now it's time to find out what the differences are between to the operating system. Is my copy of Windows 10 32-bit or 64-bit?.

If your computer is current, it is almost certainly 64-bit based, but to be sure it doesn't hurt to continue this steps. In addition, we are going to explain in passing what are the differences that a 32-bit system provides compared to a 64-bit one.

How to know if my system is 32 or 64 bits

If your computer is current, you almost certainly have a 64-bit-based model. Another thing is the operating system you have installed, which can be 32-bit, even if the computer supports those 64 bits If the computer is 64-bit but the system is 32-bit, apps will be restricted to the latter specification.

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To clear up doubts in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, just access the start menu and type About your PC so that the option with the same name appears and you can enter it or, if we prefer, access it through the cogwheel. "

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In the window on the screen, we will see the information of our equipment and among the list of specifications one appears under the title Type of systemIt shows the architecture of the processor and the operating system that we have installed."

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Another option is, in Windows 10, open File Explorer and right-click on This PC. Select Properties to see a summary of the system, where we can check what type of system we are using."

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If the system used is Windows 7, we must click on Startand then access Control Panel The goal is to access Performance Information and Tools , for which we can use the search box."

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Once inside, we select View and print detailed information on the system and its performance and in the section System, in Type of system, we can see what type of operating system we are using.Whether it is 32-bit or otherwise running a 64-bit version of Windows."

As a final point, we must clarify that a 64-bit CPU can use a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system, although the computers based on a 32-bit CPU can only use applications for that type of architecture.

Differences

The fundamental basis is in the number of values ​​offered by a 32-bit processor (4,294,967,296 possible values), compared to a 64-bit one (18,446,744,073,709,551,616). But the differences go beyond the number of bits you can work with.

If we use a 32-bit based system we can store 2^32 values ​​in its registers, which means that 4 GB is the amount of memory or RAM that can handle a 32-bit processorOn the other hand, if we opt for a 64-bit model, the registry can store 2^64 that can work with up to 16 GB of RAM.

Another difference is that a 32-bit CPU can process 4 bytes of data in one CPU cycle, requiring another cycle if the size of the data to be processed is greater than 4 bytes. If we use a 64-bit system, it supports up to 16 exabytes. Therefore, the processing power and the time spent on it are optimized and the execution of more applications is allowed simultaneously.

You have to remember that Windows 10 can support up to 512 GB of RAM in its Pro version or 128 GB if we use the version Home. In general, a 64-bit computer performs better RAM management or security features that are not available in 32-bit versions of Windows.

At this point, one aspect must be taken into account and that is that for optimum performance, applications must be optimized for the operating system that we are going to use.If it is 64-bit, the apps that take advantage of its power are those specially designed, which can work faster and be more efficient.

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