All the modern operating system are being offered for 64-bit systems. Many operating system providers are shutting support for 32-bit operating versions. Thus, you need to ensure that your PC is based on 64-bit architecture to install modern operating systems with latest updates. Nowadays all modern computers that are sold after 2007 are based on 64-bit Architecture. But, if you have an older or outdated machine, it is possible that it is based on 32-bit architecture. If so, then you need to install an operating system which is available with 32-bit architecture.
Let us see how to check the architecture of your PC:
A. Check architecture on Windows PC (GUI):
If you have windows installed on your PC, you can open “System Information” utility under the category ‘Windows Administrative Tools’ from Start Menu to check out the architecture:
The system information utility will display the system architecture as “System Type” for existing type of Operating System installed:
For example, the image of above system shows a 32-bit system is installed and the below image shows a 64-bit system is installed.
If your system is an x64-bit PC then you can proceed ahead with latest edition 64-bit operating system. In case you have a 32-bit operating system then there is a possibility that the system has a 32-bit installed but can support 64-bit system as well. Thus, you need to find out whether it can support 64-bit system or not? Let us check out the architecture of your system using commands on windows and Linux systems.
B. Check architecture on Windows PC (CLI):
Open the “command” prompt from Windows Application Menu.
Or you may open command prompt tool by typing “cmd” on run prompt and press enter. You can open “run” prompt using WINDOWS (button) + R (key) shortcut key combination.
Now use the following command:
The above command will display the DataWidth, description and AddressWidth of the windows system. The most important parameter is “DataWidth”. If your system supports 64-bit architecture then the DataWidth will be 64. Else if your system is 32-bit, then DataWidth will be 32.One of the three scenarios can be observed by you while using above command:1. A 64-bit operating system installed on a 64-bit computer
AddressWidth is 64 and DataWidth is also 64.
2. A 32-bit operating system is installed on a 32-bit computer
AddressWidth is 32 and DataWidth is also 32.
3. A 32-bit operating system is installed on 64-bit computer
AddressWidth is 32 and DataWidth is also 64-bit.
In case of scenario ‘a’ and ‘c’, you should proceed ahead with 64-bit operating system. While, in case of scenario ‘b’, you have to proceed with 32-bit operating system.
C. Check architecture on Linux PC:
Open a terminal and type in “lscpu” command on the computer with existing Linux operating system.
As visible in above image, CPU supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Architecture. However, if it supports only 32-bit then the it will display on 32-bit as CPU op-mode.
In case you are not able to use the above commands to find out the system architecture, you may refer to the user configuration manual of your machine to check out the architecture of your machine whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Nowadays all modern computers that are sold after 2007 are based on 64-bit Architecture. If you have an older or outdated machine, you may proceed with 32-bit ISO download of an older edition of operating systems.
In case you are still not able to find out the architecture of your computer then the only other way of checking whether your computer supports 64-bit is to create a 64-bit bootable media and boot your computer with it. If your computer successfully boots with 64-bit media, it means your computer supports 64-bit Architecture then you can proceed ahead with 64-bit media. If it does not boot from 64-bit media (it will not harm your machine) you will be ensured that the computer is based on 32-bit architecture. Thus, you have to proceed ahead by re-creating bootable media with 32-bit ISO of some old edition of operating system you want to install on your PC.
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