Dumbing DOWN to 32 bit from 64 bit in Windows7...

[TheLoxmyth]

I have locksmith specific software that is NOT upgraded/able and ONLY works in 32 BIT mode.

I have a WIN7 Ultimate "up grade" disc set, which I purchased, that includes both 32 and 64 bit discs.

Can I dumb-down a new laptop (I want a new Ultrabook on my truck) from 64 BIT WIN7 Home to WIN7 Ultimate 32 BIT ?
In advance, yunz have a great forum here and I appreciate your input as always.

Thanks all.

[TCC]

From my experience and understanding, upgrading and downgrading between 64 and 32 is a slightly tricky process and doesnt work correctly. The problem is the drivers conflict and cause all sorts of problems as they need separate versions of the drivers for 32 and 64 bit windows respectively. You will have no problem with upgrading along the 64 or 32 bit paths, but crossing them tends to cause all sorts of issues.

[MattyMatt]

WoW64 doesnt solve the issue? Run as admin? Choose compatibility in one of the property tabs? Since you have ultimate, you could also download XP Mode for free.

[TheLoxmyth]

From my experience and understanding, upgrading and downgrading between 64 and 32 is a slightly tricky process and doesnt work correctly. The problem is the drivers conflict and cause all sorts of problems as they need separate versions of the drivers for 32 and 64 bit windows respectively. You will have no problem with upgrading along the 64 or 32 bit paths, but crossing them tends to cause all sorts of issues.

Thank you.

WoW64 doesnt solve the issue? Run as admin? Choose compatibility in one of the property tabs? Since you have ultimate, you could also download XP Mode for free.

Interesting!

This means I have to get my brain out of storage : ))))

Thanks.

[TheLoxmyth]

Just a follow up...

I ordered a Toshiba Portege with both 32 and 64 bit and loaded the 32 bit system.
(I read that the only difference is that the 64 bit recognizes more than xGBs (¿4GBs?) of memory!)

The Portege is quick and light and I still have 71GB left on the 128GB SSD.
It has a very long battery life, too.








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[joshjaks]

Nice you have pro. We have this problem with e-time software at the hospital I work at. You can install virtual pc and xp mode from microsoft for free. It runs a virtual version of xp on thte laptop and will work with anything 32 bit as well. Hope that helps in the future. Nice thing about having a second comp is the virtual box can be a little slow at times.

[TheLoxmyth]

Nice you have pro. We have this problem with e-time software at the hospital I work at. You can install virtual pc and xp mode from microsoft for free. It runs a virtual version of xp on thte laptop and will work with anything 32 bit as well. Hope that helps in the future. Nice thing about having a second comp is the virtual box can be a little slow at times.

That's my thing, too.

My locksmith specific software is not built to run on 64-bit systems and it will probably never be tweeked to run on 64-bit!

[joshjaks]

That's my thing, too.

My locksmith specific software is not built to run on 64-bit systems and it will probably never be tweeked to run on 64-bit!

Oh yeah, I probably should of clarified that better. The xp mode is a 32 bit operating system running in a virtual environment. E-time won't work on 64 bit either but because the xp mode is 32 bit, it works. They reason I mentioned having pro is you have to have that version or higher to use xp mode.