Search code examples
c#.netwindows.net-2.0

How to programmatically tell the difference between XP 64 bit and Server 2003 64 Bit


I have a program where I need to display a different link to a different download based on what version of windows a user is running.

Using this answer I am able to detect which version the OS is. Also using this answer I can detect if I am running on a 32 bit or 64 bit version of the OS.

This would suit my needs perfectly, however I came across this page which states that both Windows XP 64-Bit Edition and Windows Server 2003 use the version number 5.2.

How do I detect the difference between those two OS's?


As a side note, I do need to send them to a different location if they are on 2003 64 bit or on XP 64 bit, here are the links I am needing to send people to:


Solution

  • GetVersionEx will set wProductType to VER_NT_SERVER for Windows Server 2003/2008/2008R2/2012, versus VER_NT_WORKSTATION for Windows XP/7/8.

    You already know how to get whether the OS is 32-bit or 64-bit, so with a bit of P/Invoke (GetVersionEx is here), you should be able to figure out the rest.

    Alternatively, if you don't want to use P/Invoke, you could use WMI, and take a look at the Win32_OperatingSystem class, which has the same information in the ProductType property. I wouldn't bother doing it this way unless you really had to.