Windows 10: install 32 windows 10 on previously installed 64 bit version

I upgraded a PC from windows 64 bit W8 to W10 64bit but some old software I have only runs on W10 32 bit. can I reinstall W10 32 bit, or restore the PC to windows 8 64 bit and then upgrade to W10 32 bit.

thanks

:)

 

Will i get any activation problem if i clean install Windows 10 64-bit on same machine where it was previously activated windows 10 32-bit?

Currently windows 10 32-bit version is activated and it is genuine.

i want to clean install windows 10 64-bit version on same machine.

Will i get any activation problem if i clean install Windows 10 64-bit on same machine where it was previously activated windows 10 32-bit?

 

32bit Win 7 to 64 bit Win10 (on a seperate PC)

Q1. Can I transfer Windows 10 to a disk and install it on a new PC?

A. No. You won't be able to activate that copy of Windows 10. If you have a new PC, then you must buy Windows 10 for that PC, or have a previously genuine copy of Windows installed that's eligible for the upgrade.

Q2. Can I upgrade my 32-bit installation of Windows 7 to a 64-bit installation of Windows 10?

A. No. The upgrade is architecture specific; 32-bit installations will upgrade to 32-bit, and 64-bit installations will upgrade to 64-bit. No switching. If you'd like the 64-bit version of Windows 10, you'll need to buy
Windows 10, back up your files, and do a clean installation.

 

From the licence, you can change the Windows edition from 64 to 32 bit. However, technically there is no upgrade path for this. So what you need to do is a clean installation of Windows 10 32 Bit.

Note that running a 64 bit OS on a 64 bit processor is what actually is recommended. If at all possible, instead of changing the itness of the OS, you should maybe better check, if you can get the old program working, maybe by using a newer version.

 

thanks
as the current W10 is activated, will I be able to do a clean install of W10 32bit ? the program is a very old GSP money matters, which is very important and runs perfectly on my W10 32 bit laptop, but I get a yellow warning box on the 64 bit W10 saying it's not suitable or similar....tried all the compatibility options inc troubleshooting....but no good, The virtual machine option seems the only other way round this.....just wish I could persuade it to run in 64 bit...

 

I would use that then you have the best of both worlds

 

If I use Hyper-V virtualization - can I switch between W10 and the virtual OS whilst running ? or do I need to boot into the OS I need
thanks

 

You can use a virtual PC software such as VirtualBox (there are others) and install the 32-bit version there. The install your software on the 32-bit windows. Unless it needs access to hardware such as some expansion card, parallel port, USB etc it will work fine. If you need access to serial, parallel or USB this is possible with VMWare Workstation, but it is not free. You could download the trial version, create your virtual machine and then use the free VMWare Player to use the virtual machine, but I'm not sure if the free player version can use USB and other devices.

 

Hyper-V is the successor to Microsoft Virtual PC and Windows Virtual PC. You can set it up and create a virtual machine there. Then install 32-bit windows, but I don't know if it has access to external devices and ports, should you need them. It certainly has access to video, audio and network. I didn't mentioned it as it is not available in Windows 10 Home, and I didn't know if you have Home or Pro. For better performance, make sure you have enabled hardware virtualization in the BIOS (see manual), if your motherboard and CPU support it. A virtual machine runs in a window or full-screen like an application. You don't have to reboot to use it! Memory allowed you can run Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (host), Windows 32-bit and Linux in parallel and even copy-paste from one to the other!

 

i am installing it on a W10 pro PC
I am following the tutorial....but when installing an OS the option to install from a CD /DVD was not there, so I am creating an ISO image of my XP pro disk


also at this stage there is no network connection showing only the option to. create one, although I did this in an earlier step

 

According to the EULA each Virtual machine requires a separate license.

Jim *Nerd

 

sorry don't understand that....just got to the end and it didn't work then saw that for vista and earlier there is a different procedure......didn't realise...pity there isn't two separate procedures in the tutorials one for W7 and above and Vista and earlier.....have removed the virtual machine from programs and features, assume this will delete everything I have done and will start again....

thanks

 

followed everything but at step 4,11 I get told " no operating system was loaded "
dont know what I have done wrong...did up to step4,6 then 4,7 to 4,9 then 5,3 to 5,6 then went to 4,10.....

 

I haven't used Hyper-V, but in theory you can install Windows without worrying about devices. When complete and you can see the desktop, shut down the virtual machine and then try to add devices. The EULA (End User License Agreement) of Windows doesn't state that it is illegal to install in a virtual machine! Many corporations do so because it is cheaper than buying a real machine. Of course then you'll have to activate Windows, but provided that the product key is not used anymore in another computer you should be able to do so, at least by phone.

 

thanks, but I need help from someone who has used and is familiar with Hyper-V as I am now stuck and need some help