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64-bit Windows 8 running on a 32-bit system

Discussion in 'Windows OS' started by vegasgmc, Dec 16, 2012.

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  1. vegasgmc TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 1,760

    I was working on a Compaq laptop with a Celeron processor and accidentally put in a hard drive I used last year that had Win 8 64bit installed on it. It booted up fine and everything works. It even says "64bit Operating System" in Windows properties. How is this possible? Have I missed some new Windows development?
    vegasgmc, Dec 16, 2012
    #1

  2. jobeard TS Ambassador Posts: 12,210   +118

    That is a label somewhat like tag on the sleeve of a new coat - - it only tells you the object detail. It does not say how YOU are using it. The kernel will run the system in 32-bit mode when the CPU/Motherboard is incapable of 64bit operations.

    If you download Process Explored from Sysinternals, you can customize the view to include Image Type and it will show 32 vs 64 bit
    jobeard, Dec 16, 2012
    #2

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