I have a 64 bit OS with 32 bit programs. How do I upgrade?

According to the properties screen on My Computer, I have a 64 bit OS. However, when I checked my task manager, my programs were running in 32 bit.

How do I fix this? Is it a problem with the programs (this includes my browsers), or is it something that I need to adjust in the settings somewhere? Maybe a file that I need to update?

I have Windows 7 and 16 GB of RAM.

2014-05-20T00:10:09Z

One of my programs gave me a warning that I don't have 64 bit Java installed, and that 64 bit Java is recommended...

How do I properly update it without breaking everything?

2014-05-20T00:15:06Z

I also can't find the 64 bit version of the browser...

Overcaffeinated2014-05-20T01:09:17Z

Favorite Answer

Despite having a 64-bit OS, that is not guarantee that the software you install is also 64-bit. In fact, most software is still 32-bit, and may or may not have a 64-bit version. Fortunately, 32-bit software will run perfectly fine on a 64-bit OS.

For programs, you will have to check individually to see if a 64-bit version exists. Then you will probably need to uninstall the 32-bit version and reinstall it as 64-bit.

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Lisa A2014-05-20T00:01:22Z

For the browser, just look through your start menu for the 64 bit browser.

You have a 32 bit browser, and a 64 bit browser. You are just always clicking on the 32 bit one. You can simply decide to click on the 64 bit one instead.

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