32-bit and 64-bit Drivers on Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista
When your devices are not working properly, you need to update or install drivers. However, when you find the drivers on the manufacturer’s website and head to install them, the devices still cannot work. The problem lies in that the drivers do not match your Windows version: you may have installed the 32-bit drivers on a 64-bit Windows, or 64-bit drivers on the 32-bit Windows.
Therefore, even though you’ve installed drivers for the hardware devices, they are still out of work. We’ve seen to much of such kind of phenomenon, like you’ve installed the WiFi drivers but still have no internet connection on your computer, you’ve installed the monitor driver but it still can’t work, you’ve installed the sound card driver but still no sound from the computer. Things like that.
We recommend you to try Driver Talent (formerly called DriveTheLife) to install drivers, because it can quickly detect if your system is 64-bit or 32-bit Window 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP or Windows Vista, download and install the exactly drivers to best match your hardware devices with high efficiency. It’s free and safe.
What Are 32-bit Drivers and 64-bit Drivers
The term 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s CPU handles information. 32-bit systems use data in 32-bit pieces while 64-bit systems use data in 64-bit pieces. The later is much faster and more efficient. The 32-bit system requires the corresponding drivers, so we call them 32-bit drivers, and the 64-bit system requires the drivers compatible with them.
Is It Possible to Install 32-bit Drivers on 64-bit Windows
Device drivers designed for the 32-bit version of Windows don’t work on computers running a 64-bit version of Windows. Therefore, if you install a 32-bit driver on your 64-bit Windows computer, the driver won’t work, either the device. Try Driver Talent (formerly called DriveTheLife) to install drivers on your computer.
Is It Possible to install 64-bit Drivers on 32-bit Windows
The same as above. Device drivers designed for the 64-bit version of Windows don’t work on the computer running a 32-bit version of Windows. If you install a 64-bit driver on a 32-bit Windows computer, the driver won’t work, either the device. Try Driver Talent (formerly called DriveTheLife) to install the 64-bit drivers on your Windows computer.
How to Tell If You Are Running a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?
You can manually find if your Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit. The information is contained in the Control Panel, but the ways to access it are various depending on which version of Windows you are running.
For Windows 8 and 8.1
- Head to Control Panel on the Start.
- Click on System and Security.
- Click on System.
- View basic information about your computer, find the System area and you will find.
For Windows 7
- Select Start and Control Panel.
- Click on System and Security (click System icon if this is not visible).
- Click System link.
- In “View basic information about your computer” window, view System Type under System heading.
- You will see if you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit version.
For Windows XP
- Head to Control Panel on the Start.
- Click on Performance and Maintenance (click System icon if this is not visible).
- Click System link.
- In System Properties window, view System (General tab).
- Under System heading you will see if the Windows XP is 32-bit or 64-bit version.
For Windows Vista
- Select Start and Control Panel.
- Click on System and Maintenance (click System icon if this is not visible).
- Click System link.
- In View basic information about your computer window, view System Type under System heading.
- You will find if the Windows Vista is are 32-bit or 64-bit version.
[…] Different Windows OS needs the specifically and exactly correct drivers, like Windows 10 requires Realtek AC97 audio driver for Windows 10, Windows 8 requires Realtek AC97 audio driver for Windows 8, Windows 7 requires Realtek AC97 audio driver for Windows 7, and 64 bit Windows needs 64-bit drivers (what’re 32-bit and 64-bit drivers). […]
I have a CANON PRINTER PIXMA iP5000 which has THE BEST CD/DVD PRINTING PROGRAM. However, when I try to install its Driver I receive a message that my PC now has a 64-bit platform and the iP5000 Driver requires a 32-bit intel compatible Platform.
Is there anything I can do to access the very good Printing Program?
Here’s hoping. I have tried CANON and they cannot help!
Hello, could you please provide the following information so that we can check the proper driver for you.
1. The printer hardware ID.
Your system OS and bit level.
——————–How to get the hardware ID———————————————–
* Click Start menu;
* Search device manager and press Enter;
* Locate the device your are looking for;
* Right click the device and choose Properties;
* Click Details tab from the Properties windows;
Then you can find the hardware ID and more other value from the drop-down menu.
————————————————————————————————-
Hello,
Nice article 🙂
I also have a Printer problem but here’s the deal. I have a 32 bit Windows 10 operating system running on a x64 bit PC .
It has less than 4gb ram as it’s a few years old.
I having driver problems. It’s a Dell 964 all in one.
Should I install a 32 bit driver or a 64 bit driver? Iv tried both .
Hi. You need to install the 32-bit driver for your device, because your Windows 10 is a 32-bit OS.
Thank you so much for giving everyone an extremely superb chance to read critical reviews from this site. It’s always very amazing plus jam-packed with a lot of fun for me personally and my office mates to search your website at minimum thrice in 7 days to see the latest guides you will have. And lastly, I am just at all times amazed for the striking things served by you. Some 4 areas in this post are definitely the simplest we have all ever had.
I have a Packard Bell that was vista and is now Windows 7. I have no internet. Therefore, I cannot download any of the drivers you are suggesting. My other computer is waiting for a new battery, for months I’ve been wanting to have the PB as a backup, which I desperately need. So, how can I go aboutabout loading the Driver Talent onto the computer? I’m using my cell phone at this time until my battery for my Asus arrives. Hopefully that’s all that’s wrong g with that one. I was actually considering updating the PB to a Windows 8.1. I believe it’s a 32 bit. Any solutions? Hope this makes sense.
Yes. You could use your smartphone to download the driver files and then transfer them to your computer with a USB cable. You could also download drivers on another computer whose Internet connection is available, and then transfer them with a USB drive.
How do i check for 64-bit compatible drives in my pc. I have a 32-bit windows 8.1 with a x64 processor.
Hi, Aidan. You need to install 32-bit compatible drivers for your 32-bit Windows 8.1. Your computer processor is 64-bit, so it supports both 32-bit and 64-bit operating system. But you need to install 32-bit drivers for 32-bit system.
hi, lately ive been having some connection issues with my wifi, only at work though. i checked the wireless driver and it is 32 bits, my laptop and system is 64 bit. reading your artikle it shouldnt work at all, but im only having issues recently. should i just remove the old driver and reinstall a 64bit version ?