Windows 10: Downgrade to 32 bit - not giving me option,is just reinstalling 64 bit

Hi all.

I have had a new computer and Windows 10 Pro for a couple of months. I had installed the 64 bit version from the original DVD, and I'm sure that I chose that, as I remember thinking about whether to install the 32 or 64 bit version (I decided to see how 64 bit went, as supposed to be faster). The primary drive, which is an SSD, was blank when I first installed.

I have subsequently had compatibility issues with older software (yes,I tried running it from the X86 folder) and want to re-install, but this time with the 32 bit version to see if that helps these issues (I have a fast computer anyway,so I can live without the 64 bit optimisation).

So, I've reinstalled today, but it never asked me which version I wanted to install. Consequently it has installed 64 bit again. :-( I did reformat the drive when that option came up during installation (and I did select to install Windows only, NOT saving what was already there), however I was sure asking which version you want to install came before that? (in the old DOS days you would reformat the drive before starting installation,but it didn't bring up this option til it had already done some stuff) There must be some flag somewhere that was still on there telling it to do 64 bit (since that is what I had chosen the first time)? I'm thinking it may be because the 64 bit version was already on there,but then I'm not sure how to reformat the drive while Windows is still running off it (I thought I would get the option to do that first up when the installation started)

I have seen reference to running a media creation tool, to make a USB for the relevant version, but surely since I have the original DVD that shouldn't be necessary? I could try doing it that way if needed, but just wanted to see if anyone knows how I can do it using the DVD (theoretically you should be able to do this, but I don't know why it didn't ask me which version I wanted to install :-\ ). Hoping someone here has an answer, as when I called Microsoft about an issue when I first installed I was on hold for over an hour.

thanks,
Donald.

:)

 

64-bit programs won't run properly on 64-bit windows but 32-bit will

The problem is most of the programs I want to run only give me the option of a 64-bit version and don't give me the option for a 32-bit version.

 

downgrade from 64 bit to 32 bit

Sir,

I have Lenovo Laptop with Windows 10 Home 64 bit OS Genuine version but I want to change it to 32 bit same OS. Please guide me.

 

Honestly, I would just go here,

Windows 10 Download Tech bench

Select the edition and language,





And just download the 32bit,

 

How much RAM do you have
A 32-bit OS will limit to 4GB maximum.
In that case, a VM with 32-bit OS would be probably the best option

 

If pc is setup as uefi, it can only install as 64 bit. You need to use csm mode (legacy bios) to install 32 bit.

Windows 64bit runs 32bit fine.

Just install windows 10 32bit in a vm to test your programs (can run unactivated for at least 30 days). 99% certain it will make no difference.

 

There is 32 bit install media and 64 bit install media. If you want 32 bit, use 32 bit install media not 64 bit install media.

 

The standard media from MS is dual 32/64 bit.

We need to know if PC is UEFI as that cannot be used for a 32bit install. In any case, the problem is almost certainly not related to bit type of OS. It could be the bit type of the app but 64it runs 32bit apps without any issues.

 

Mine isn't, not from MSDN, its 32 bit or 64 bit. not both. There is no both option on MSDN. And the Media Creation Tool will only give you both, if you select both. For me the default is 64 bit. If his install media is 64 bit only, no way can he ever install 32 bit with it.

 

Thanks for the replies, but none of the suggestions have worked.

I don't know if my computer is UEFI - where would I look(?) - but when I got into the BIOS I saw it was set to "EFI boot", which is maybe the same thing(?), set that to non-EFI boot, but that didn't make any difference.

I downloaded a 32-bit installer, but it ended up saying there was a problem (i.e. before I even tried booting from it - the message was non-specific, juts saying that there was a problem).

Tried to install a 32 bit version into a VM but it wouldn't install (it said to press F8 to check the settings, but pressing F8 did nothing).

The interesting thing is that I had been putting in the product key each time, but I saw somewhere along the way you can actually skip this step if you have done it previously, so I did (just for ease) - it subsequently asked me for the key again later in the process, so I did put it in that time, and then magically it then asked me if I wanted to install the Home or Pro edition, which it hadn't done before. Unfortunately it only gave me the 64 bit option in both cases.

This is looking like a lost cause. :-(

 

If you entered a valid key, you shouldn't be asked Home or Pro? The key determines which version is installed. Is the key a Windows 10 key, or Windows 8 key, etc. Where did you download your install media from? If your installing from 32 bit install media, there should not be any 64 bit option? What makes you think its only giving you the 64 bit option? What message etc are you seeing?

 

Are you booting from your install media or just running setup.exe from Windows?

 

As per original post, I am booting from the original DVD. I know it's installing the 64 bit version as that what it tells me when I go and look in the system details after it's installed. The message I got that one time it asked me whether I wanted Home or Pro, they both said x64 - no Home x32 or Pro x32 listed as an option. :-( My understanding is the DVD should give you a choice, and I'm pretty sure it did the first time I installed, but I can't get it to come up now.

 

32-bit and 64-bit Windows 10 won't fit on a single DVD together.

 

Hmmm, looks like you're right. I pulled out the DVD and it actually says 64 bit on it. That's odd because...

1. when I was researching before buying it definitely said somewhere that the DVD came with both versions, and...
2. I didn't specify whether I wanted 32 or 64, as I thought I was getting both anyway (so perhaps they have assumed I wanted the 64 bit version and failed to point out to me there was a choice. Or maybe they don't even bother stocking the 32 bit version).

So, I'm still interested in finding out if I CAN install 32 bit on this computer. Someone said I can't if it's a UEFI computer, but I don't know how to find out if it is or not - where would I find that information? I did see EFI/non-EFI boot in the BIOS, but don't know if that is the same thing?