how do I know if a Windows program is 32-bit?

[Jenny C]

Hi, on a Windows 2003 64-bit operating system, how do I find out if a Windows program is 32-bit or 64-bit? Thanks in advance!

[Pat]

Hello, Jenny,

Differences between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows
The major differentiator between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows is in memory support. Currently, 32-bit Windows is capable of supporting up to 4 GB of system memory, with up to 2 GB of dedicated memory per process. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition will currently support up to 16 GB of RAM, with the potential to support up to 16 TB of virtual memory as hardware capabilities and memory sizes grow.

Customers will find some feature differences, but overall, 64-bit Windows includes a majority of the features that are included in 32-bit Windows.


http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xp64ovw.mspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/still/hh/still/WIA_tree_60dec3ad-c926-4a31-bc65-60d5fda6b6bf.xml.asp

Pat

[Thomas Kraushofer]

Good Answer, but how do I know if a program was compiled using a 32 or a 64-bit Compiler? When I have only the executable?

[Norman_21]

Very good question!

I'll look at the software box?

Or I'll check the application version and get online to find out more details!

If someone is aware of a tool, please post it...

Thanks

[Pat]

I believe in System Information, you'll see the directory listed. If 32 Bit, it will say C:\Windows\System 32. If 64 Bit, it will say C:\Windows System 64.

Pat

[Pat]

This may help.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/1100/hood/

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/kmarch/hh/kmarch/64bitAMD_cccad92b-bd53-468f-9aa9-739e3cba5d20.xml.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/win64/win64/general_porting_guidelines.asp

Pat

[Norman_21]

Jenny,

Are you refering to the OS or to the Applications installed in the OS?

I believe that you are refering to the second one, right?