Powershell: Operating System Architecture

When it comes to determine on which architecture your script is running right now these 3 solutions are quite handy

1.environment variable. 

write-host "environement variable: $($env:PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE)"

little function:

 

if($env:PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE -ne 'x86'){

      Write-Host "64bit system detected"

}else{

      Write-Host "32bit system detected"

}

fast and easy way but can lead to mistakes. just open a powershell console in x86 and open up another one in 64bit. now enter: $env:PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE in both windows and surprise surprise 2 different results. 

  

2. dot net: my favorite. usually dot net is installed on almost every computer so it’s quite safe to use and the fact that it returns true or false only is a nice bonus instead of interpreting strings

write-host "dot net: $([Environment]::Is64BitOperatingSystem)"

if([Environment]::Is64BitOperatingSystem -eq $true){

      Write-Host "64bit system detected"

}else{

      Write-Host "32bit system detected"

}

3. the good old way - WMI. the only thing which keeps me from using WMI is the fact that it tends to break.

write-host "WMI: $((Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).OSArchitecture)"

if((Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).OSArchitecture -eq '64-bit'){

      Write-Host "64bit system detected"

}else{

      Write-Host "32bit system detected"

}

 

which one is your favorite? Maybe you have another solution for me. In both cases leave a comment.