Should I install 32 or 64 bit Java?

What determines which you should install is the version of Windows you are running, That is the ONLY thing you have to consider. If you are running the 64 bit version of Windows 7 or any version of Windows 8, install the 64 bit version. If you are running the 32 bit version of Widnows 7 or Windows XP, install the 32 bit version.

If you are running Windows 7, click on the Start button, right click on "Copmuter" and select "Properties" and it will tell you whether youn are running the 32 or 64 bit version.

Finally if you are unsure, try to install the 64 bit version, If you are not running the correct version of Windows, it will give an error message and refuse to install. Then you just install the 32 bit instead. However if you attempt to install the 32 bit version of Java on a 64 bit version of Windows, it will let you. And it will work without any issues. It just will be slower.

Your processor is what determines whether you can use 32 bit or 64 bit Java. If you have a 32 bit processor (and they have not sold computer with those for over 6 years now), you would not be able to install the 64 bit version. It would refuse to install and give you an error.

However a 64 bit processor is able to run either version and they run just as well. By default, Java will install the 32 bit version

64-bit Java would be best for 64-bit OS. Any computer from the past 10 years should be able to run 64-bit (my Toshiba laptop from 2006 can). But you may need to manually install 64-bit Java from:
https://www.java.com/...manual.jsp

Many web browsers are discontinuing support for Netscape plugins like Java anyway. For example Firefox supports flash, but not many other Netscape plugins like Java unless you get a special Firefox version. Edge browser or Chrome do not support Java for web apps.

But if that is a laptop it might not work well for minecraft anyway. I have a Win10 laptop with quad-core Pentium that I bought to set up for someone (who then decided they did not have money to pay for it). Even upgraded to 8 GB RAM minecraft is unplayable (1-5 fps), but I have not tried to optimize it. So I primarily use that laptop for WebEx sessions (or it plays streaming video fine).

Simple.Without understanding what's happening, install 64-bit. If your system complains (does not install) revert to 32-bit.

If you have a 64-bit OS, you can install either 32 or 64-bit Java. If you have a 32-bit OS, you can only install the 32-bit version--even if your processor supports 64-bit operations.

On Windows, click on Start, right-click on Computer and click Properties. That will tell you what OS you have under "System type". I don't know offhand where that is on other OSes, but there will be a help or "about" screen somewhere I'm sure.

In order to use more than 3GB of RAM, you need a 64bit CPU, so you definitely have one. You also have a 64bit operating system installed on your computer (the CPU is the just the chip inside it).

Whenever available, pick the 64bit version.

Rat list for pueblo

Why wasn't Windows in your consideration? My requirement is actually sysreq of the programming environment, not a performance desirable, so I can't advice; but peg your decision on which Windows bitness is in use.

You actually don't have to be good in computers to know whether to install 32 or 64 bit app. If your computer is 64 bit its logically to download the 64 bit, otherwise why would you install it the other way.
P.S as far as i know if your computer is 64 bit you can download the 32 bit but if your computer is 32 bit you can't download the 64 bit because it won't work.
To sum up i recommend you the 64 bit if your computer is 64.