With a couple of simple tricks, you can find if an application or EXE file is 32-bit or 64-bit in Windows. Follow these steps to see how.
It might not be every day but there will be times when you need to know if an application is 32-bit or 43-bit. Not only for installed applications but you might also need the architectural information before installing or running an EXE file in your system. Since almost all modern computers are 64-bit systems, you can install both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) applications in it. Often times, this can cause confusion when determining whether an application in x86 or x64.
When there is a problem with the installed application or the installer (EXE or MSI file), knowing if a program is x86 or x64 might help you narrow down the troubleshooting issues. So, in this quick guide, let me show you the steps to find if an application or exe file is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Find If Application is 32-bit or 64-bit After Installing It
If the application is already installed, Windows provides a pretty simple way to determine if it is x86 or x64. Just follow the steps.
1. First, open the application for which you want to find its architecture. Keep it running in the background. We need it in the coming steps.
2. Next, right-click on the Taskbar and select the “Task Manager” option. This action will open the Windows Task Manager. Alternatively, you can also search for the same in the start menu.
3. In the Task Manager, go to the “Details” tab. Here, see you if you have a column named “Platform”. If it is available, skip this and step 4 and proceed from step 5. If you don’t see the column, right-click on any column heading and select the “Select Columns” option.
4. Now, find and select the “Platform” checkbox. Usually, it will be at the bottom of the list. Click on the “Ok” button to save changes.
5. The above action will add the Platform column to the Task Manager’s Details tab. Now, find the application you opened in step 1 and see what it says in the Platform column.
If it is a 32-bit application, the platform column will show “32-bit”. If it is a 62-bit application, it will show show “64-bit”.
That’s it.
Before Installing (EXE file’s Architecture)
If the application is not yet installed, you need another way to find its architecture.
The easiest way to find is from the developer’s website. Usually, the program architecture will always be listed nearby the download link. So, take a look at. If you cannot find it on the developer website, then follow the alternative method shown below. It is not 100 percent accurate but works in most cases.
1. First, find the exe file. Next, right-click on it and select the “Properties” option.
2. In the properties window, go to the “Compatability” tab. Here, select the “Run this program in compatibility mode for” checkbox.
3. Next, click on the drop-down menu. In the drop-down menu, see if you can find Windows XP or earlier versions like Windows 95. If you see them, it is highly probable that it is a 32-bit application.
If you see Windows Vista and later versions like Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 then it is 64-bit.
That is it.
I hope that helps. If you are stuck or need some help, comment below and I will try to help as much as possible.
