Windows 10: Old 32 bit software in Windows 10 64 bit

I have a new home pc with pre-installed Windows 10 64 bit. My 5 year old daughter has some old children games that she loves to play. But, many of them refuse to install in Windows 10 with an error message saying they are 32 bit apps which cannot run on this pc and I should contact the manufacturer for a 64 bit version. This happens no matter which compatibility setting I assign to the setup.exe file.

Is there any way to install and run such old 32 bit game programs in Windows 10 64 bit? They are very old games she loves and there is no 64 bit version available.

(I know I could install a virtual XP machine but that would be too complicated for her).

Appreciate any help.

:)

 

x86 and x64 programs and installations

Some extra details ...

Windows 10 (Home or Pro) is available in 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions. If you have 32-bit hardware you must install the 32-bit version. If you have 64-bit hardware you can install the 32-bit
or the 64-bit version of Windows, but it makes sense to install the 64-bit version.

The 64-bit version of Windows 10 is backwards compatible with 32-bit software, however 64-bit hardware is not backwards compatible with all 32-bit software.

Program Files (x86) is where Windows installs your 32-bit software. Program Files is where Windows installs your 64-bit software. You should not change this.

The essential difference between 32-bit and 64-bit software is the amount of memory (RAM) it can use. 32-bit software can use up to 4 GB of RAM, which is 2 raised to the 32nd power. 64-bit software can use a ridiculous amount of RAM (2 raised to the 64th
power.)

To maintain backwards compatibility there are few other differences between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, although what differences there are can be significant.

 

Why two product ID's for Windows 10

After I installed Windows 10 (from 95 to 8 to 8.1 to 10) I changed it to be 64 bit to allow me to use more memory.

I then found that I had a few software packages (old but expensive when I purchased them) and there was no way to get them upgraded to 64 bit or have Windows 10 run them. I then installed the 32 bit version onto a different partition on my backup hard drive.
I now seem to have two product ID's. The 32 bit version does not update like the 64 bit. The 64 bit is version 1607 while the 32 bit is 1507.

Will the 32 bit not update at all?

 

That doesn't sound right. Windows 10 64 bit can run 32 bit applications. Are you sure it didn't say 16 bit applications? and that you 32 bit apps?

 

Thank you for replying.
My mistake. The ones that would not run were indeed 16 bit programs.
I know I can install virtualbox and install XP in it, but can Windows 10
a) support a desktop shortcut that will automatically start virtual box and run such a program within it?
b) or can I set up a user that will - on bootup - automatically start virtual box and the XP emulation?

Edit
Or maybe the setup uses a 16 bit installer.
The OS is 64 bit W10.

 

You can start the vm by running vm command from task manager.

Then you can do same inside vm ie run app from task manager.

 

Thank you. Can you clarify further? I've used task manager to stop apps. Didn't know it could also start them.
Can I create a desktop shortcut in the windows 10 desktop that would contain as a command "vm, ......"
What would the command line actually say?
Thank you for replying!

 

If those are DOS games perhaps you can run them in DOSBox other ways 64 bit 10 don't support 16 bit programs.
Refer : Solved Does 16 bit work yet on a 64 bit windows 10 OS? - Windows 10 Forums