X86 Vs X64 Software

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Windows 7 X86 Vs X64 Difference
X86 Or X64 Software
Is My Pc X64 Or X86
Windows 7 X64 Or X86

X86 instruction set architecture is 32 bit while x64 instruction set architecture is 64 bits. X64 came as an extension of the existing x86 architecture. The registers, memory bus, data bus on x86 architectures are 32 bits while this is 64 bits on x64.

Understanding x64 vs x86 and 64 vs 32-bit Audio One of the common misunderstandings about Cantabile and audio technology in general seems to be the difference between x64/x86 and 64/32-bit audio. Cantabile comes in both x86 and x64 editions and both editions support both 32 and 64-bit audio.
Understanding x64 vs x86 and 64 vs 32-bit Audio One of the common misunderstandings about Cantabile and audio technology in general seems to be the difference between x64/x86 and 64/32-bit audio. Cantabile comes in both x86 and x64 editions and both editions support both 32 and 64-bit audio.

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In the computer world, 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the type of central processing unit, operating system, driver, software program, etc. that utilizes that particular architecture.

You've probably seen the option to download a piece of software as a 32-bit version or a 64-bit version. The difference does in fact matter because the two were programmed for separate systems.

What Do They Mean?

32-bit hardware and software is often referred to as x86 or x86-32.
64-bit hardware and software is often referred to as x64 or x86-64.
32-bit systems utilize data in 32-bit pieces while 64-bit systems utilize data in 64-bit pieces. In general, the more data that can be processed at once, the faster the system can operate.

There are several other advantages to a 64-bit system as well, most practically the ability to use significantly greater amounts of physical memory (more than the 4 GB allowed by a 32-bit machine).

See what Microsoft has to say about the memory limits for different versions of Windows.

A 64-bit processor can handle 64 bits of data at once, which allows it to compute information faster regardless of the processor's clock speed. This allows for greater memory usage because with 32-bit processors, only 2³² addresses of RAM can be accessed (all 32-digit binary numbers).

This restricts the processor to using a much lower amount of memory than 64-bit processors, which can read double the digits. In fact, with every additional digit, the maximum number of addresses that can be accessed doubles, too, allowing for much more memory than a 32-bit processor.

With 64-bit processors having a larger bit size and therefore the ability to calculate bigger numbers, the computer also ends up dealing with everything at a much more precise level than a 32-bit computer. Pixels on your screen, for example, can be colored and placed more accurately than pixels on a 32-bit computer.

64-bit and 32-bit Operating Systems

Most new processors today are based on the 64-bit architecture and support 64-bit operating systems. These processors are also fully compatible with 32-bit operating systems.

Most editions of Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista are available in 64-bit format. Of the editions of Windows XP, only Professional is available in 64-bit.

All editions of Windows, from XP up to 10, are available in 32-bit.

Every Mac operating system since v10.8 (Mountain Lion) has been 64-bit.

Like Windows, Linux can be 32-bit or 64-bit. You can see which you're running with the lscpu command.

Not Sure If the Copy of Windows on Your PC Is 32-bit or 64-bit?

The quickest and easiest way to see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows is to check what it says in Control Panel.

Another simple method to finding out which OS architecture you're running in Windows is to check the Program Files folder. There's more information on that below.

To see the hardware architecture, you can open Command Prompt and enter the command:

You might get a response like AMD64 to indicate that you have a x64 based system, or x86 for 32-bit.

Another command that works is:

That command should result in much more text, but then end with a response like one of these:

The best way to use one of these commands is to copy them here on this page and then right-click in the black space in Command Prompt, and paste the command.

These commands only tell you the hardware architecture, not the kind of Windows version you're running. It's likely that they're the same since x86 systems can only install a 32-bit version of Windows, but it's not necessarily true since a 32-bit version of Windows can be installed on x64 systems, too.

Why It Matters

Knowing the difference is important so you can be sure to install the right kinds of software and device drivers. For example, when given the option between downloading a 32-bit or 64-bit version, a native 64-bit software program is the better choice. However, it won't run at all if you're on a 32-bit version of Windows.

One of the only real, notable differences for you, the end user, is that it's possible that after downloading a large program, you'll find that you've wasted that time since it won't run on your specific computer. This is true if you've downloaded a 64-bit program that you expect to use on a 32-bit OS.

However, some 32-bit programs can run just fine on a 64-bit system. In other words, 32-bit programs are compatible with 64-bit operating systems. That rule, however, isn't always true, and that's especially the case with some device drivers since hardware devices require the exact version to be installed in order for it to interface with the software (i.e., 64-bit drivers are needed for a 64-bit OS, and 32-bit drivers for a 32-bit OS).

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Another time when 32-bit and 64-bit differences come into play is when troubleshooting a software issue or looking through a program's installation directory.

It's important to realize that 64-bit versions of Windows have two different install folders since they also contain a 32-bit directory. However, a 32-bit version of Windows only has one install folder. To make this a tad more confusing, the 64-bit version's Program Files folder is the same name as the 32-bit Program Files folder on a 32-bit version of Windows.

One example for why this is the case is so that a 32-bit program doesn't try to use a 64-bit DLL, which won't work. Instead, when a 32-bit program is installed in the 32-bit Program Files folder, and then you run said program, Windows knows that it needs to pull up some 32-bit specific files instead of those used for 64-bit programs.

If you're confused, look here:

Savage rifle serial number lookup. On a 64-bit version of Windows are two folders:

32-bit location: C:Program Files (x86)
64-bit location: C:Program Files

On a 32-bit version of Windows is one folder:

32-bit location: C:Program Files

As you can tell, it's a little confusing to plainly say that the 64-bit Program Files folder is C:Program Files since that's not true for a 32-bit OS.

Beyond how-tos and instructionals that require you to know the difference between 64-bit and 32-bit, another reason understanding these terms is important is if you're not sure if you should get a 64-bit computer and/or 64-bit programs.

For example, maybe you want a video editing program to have access to larger amounts of RAM than what it could use on a 32-bit system. Or, if you know that a piece of hardware you use doesn't have a 64-bit driver option, then you know you can't use it with a 64-bit computer. The same is true for old 16-bit applications that might not work on a 64-bit computer; knowing this can help you decide if you should make the switch to a 64-bit computer or stick to 32-bit.

There’s a good chance you have both the “C:Program Files” and “C:Program Files (x86)” folders on your Windows PC. If you poke around, you’ll see that some of your programs are installed in one folder, and some are installed in the other.

32-bit vs. 64-bit Windows

RELATED:What’s the Difference Between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows?

Originally, Windows was only available as a 32-bit operating system. On 32-bit versions of Windows—even 32-bit versions of Windows 10, which are still available today—you’ll only see a “C:Program Files” folder.

This Program Files folder is the recommended location where programs you install should store their executable, data, and other files. In other words, programs install to the Program Files folder.

On 64-bit versions of Windows, 64-bit applications install to the Program Files folder. However, 64-bit versions of Windows also support 32-bit programs, and Microsoft doesn’t want 32-bit and 64-bit software getting mixed up in the same place. So, 32-bit programs get installed to the “C:Program Files (x86)” folder, instead.

Windows runs 32-bit applications on 64-bit versions of Windows using something called WOW64, which stands for “Windows 32-bit on Windows 64-bit.”

When you run a 32-bit program on a 64-bit edition of Windows, the WOW64 emulation layer seamlessly redirects its file access from “C:Program Files” to “C:Program Files (x86).” The 32-bit program tries to access the Program Files directory and is pointed to the Program Files (x86) folder. 64-bit programs still use the normal Program Files folder.

What’s Stored In Each Folder

In summary, on a 32-bit version of Windows, you just have a “C:Program Files” folder. This contains all your installed programs, all of which are 32-bit.

On a 64-bit version of Windows, 64-bit programs are stored in the “C:Program Files” folder and 32-bit programs are stored in the “C:Program Files (x86)” folder.

That’s why different programs are spread across the two Program Files folders, seemingly at random. The ones in the “C:Program Files” folder are 64-bit, while the ones in the “C:Program Files (x86)” folder are 32-bit.

Why Are They Split Up?

This is a compatibility feature designed for old 32-bit programs. These 32-bit programs may not be aware that a 64-bit version of Windows even exists, so Windows keeps them away from that 64-bit code.

32-bit programs can’t load 64-bit libraries (DLL files), and could crash if they tried to load a specific DLL file and found a 64-bit one instead of a 32-bit one. The same goes for 64-bit programs. Keeping different program files for different CPU architectures separate prevents errors like these from happening.

For example, let’s say Windows just used a single Program Files folder. A 32-bit application might go looking for a Microsoft Office DLL file found in C:Program FilesMicrosoft Office and try to load it. However, if you had a 64-bit version of Microsoft Office installed, the application would crash and not function properly. With the separate folders, that application won’t be able to find the DLL at all, because the 64-bit version of Microsoft Office would be at C:Program FilesMicrosoft Office and the 32-bit application would be looking in C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Office.

Windows 7 X86 Vs X64 Difference

This also helps when a developer creates both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of an application, especially if both need to be installed at once in some situations. The 32-bit version automatically installs to C:Program Files (x86), and the 64-bit version automatically installs to the C:Program Files. If Windows used a single folder, the application’s developer would have to have the 64-bit folder install to a different folder to keep them separate. And there would likely be no real standard for where developers installed different versions.

X86 Or X64 Software

Why Is The 32-bit Folder Named (x86)?

You won’t always see “32-bit” and “64-bit.” Instead, you’ll sometimes see “x86” and “x64” to refer to these two different architectures. That’s because early computers used the Intel 8086 chip. The original chips were 16-bit, but newer versions became 32-bit. “x86” now refers to the pre-64-bit architecture—whether that’s 16-bit or 32-bit. The newer 64-bit architecture is referred to as “x64” instead.

That’s what “Program Files (x86)” means. It’s the Program Files folder for programs using the older x86 CPU architecture. Just note, however, that 64-bit versions of Windows can’t run 16-bit code.

This Doesn’t Normally Matter

Is My Pc X64 Or X86

RELATED:What Is the AppData Folder in Windows?

It doesn’t normally matter whether a program’s files are stored in Program Files or Program Files (x86). Windows automatically installs programs to the correct folder, so you don’t have to think about it. Programs appear in the Start menu and function normally, no matter where they’re installed. Both 32-bit and 64-bit programs should store your data in folders like AppData and ProgramData, and not in any Program Files folder. Just let your programs automatically decide which Program Files folder to use.

If you’re using a portable app, it can run from any folder on your system, so you don’t have to worry about where to put them. We like putting portable apps in Dropbox or another type of cloud storage folder so they’re available on all our PCs.

You’ll sometimes need to know where a program is stored. For example, let’s say you want to go into your Steam directory to back up some files. You’ll find it in C:Program Files (x86), as Steam is a 32-bit program.

If you’re not sure whether a program you installed is 64-bit or not and you’re looking for its installation folder, you may need to look in both Program Files folders to find it.

Windows 7 X64 Or X86

You can also look in Windows 10’s Task Manager.

On 64-bit versions of Windows, 32-bit programs are tagged with the additional “(32-bit)” text, giving you an indication that you’ll find them in C:Program Files (x86).