Learn how to check if Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit for FSX, interpret System type, and choose the correct add-on, driver and registry files.
On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, select System, then About, and read System type under Device specifications. It will say 64-bit operating system or 32-bit operating system. This identifies Windows, not FSX: both Microsoft Flight Simulator X and FSX: Steam Edition remain 32-bit applications.
How do I check Windows 10 or 11?
The definitive answer appears beside System type in Windows Settings.
- Open Settings. Press
Windows + I. - Select System. Open About, normally near the bottom of the System page.
- Find Device specifications. Read the entry labelled System type.
Do not rely on the processor name alone. A PC can have a 64-bit-capable processor while running a 32-bit installation of Windows.
How do I check Windows 7 or 8?
On older Windows versions, the same information is available through Control Panel or System Information.
- Open Control Panel. Select System and Security, then System. Depending on the Control Panel view, System may appear directly.
- Read System type. It identifies the installed operating system as 32-bit or 64-bit.
As a second method, press Windows + R, enter msinfo32, and press Enter. In System Information, x64-based PC indicates a 64-bit system, while x86-based PC indicates a 32-bit system.
What does the System type result mean for FSX?
The operating-system entry determines which Windows drivers and system-specific instructions you should use.
| System type shown | Meaning | What to choose |
|---|---|---|
| 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor | Windows and the processor are 64-bit | 64-bit Windows device drivers; 32-bit compiled modules for FSX itself |
| 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor | The processor supports 64-bit, but installed Windows is 32-bit | 32-bit Windows drivers and instructions |
| 32-bit operating system, x86-based processor | Both Windows and the processor are 32-bit | 32-bit Windows drivers and software |
Changing from 32-bit Windows to 64-bit Windows requires a clean Windows installation; it is not a switch in Settings. Check driver availability and back up your files before considering that change.
Can I tell from the FSX installation folder?
No. A location under Program Files (x86) identifies FSX as a 32-bit application, not necessarily the architecture of Windows.
Custom FSX installations and Steam libraries can also be placed elsewhere, so the folder path is not a reliable test. Always use the System type entry.
Does 64-bit Windows make FSX 64-bit?
No. Microsoft Flight Simulator X and FSX: Steam Edition remain 32-bit programs when installed on 64-bit Windows.
A 64-bit operating system can still provide a better environment for FSX and other running software, but it does not remove the simulator's per-process memory limits. Our explanation of how FSX uses memory on 64-bit Windows covers the practical limits. Architecture is only one compatibility factor, so compare the rest of the machine against the hardware and operating-system requirements for FSX.
Should FSX add-ons be 32-bit or 64-bit?
The correct choice depends on whether the file runs inside FSX or works at Windows level.
- Joystick, throttle and graphics drivers: match the installed Windows architecture. Use 64-bit drivers on 64-bit Windows and 32-bit drivers on 32-bit Windows.
- Compiled gauges and DLL modules: files loaded directly inside FSX must be compatible with the simulator's 32-bit process. A 64-bit DLL cannot load inside FSX.
- Standalone companion programs: follow the package's stated Windows requirements. A 32-bit utility can often run on 64-bit Windows because it operates as a separate process.
- Installers: a 32-bit FSX installer is normal on 64-bit Windows. The main concern is whether it detects the correct FSX or Steam Edition installation path.
- Registry fixes: 64-bit Windows redirects some 32-bit application data to different registry locations. Use our FSX registry-path and repair instructions rather than copying a path intended for the other Windows architecture.