The truth is, the latest versions support 32-bit of application nicely without any issues. You can install and use them. But remember, you can’t install the 64-bit Programs on 32-bit Operating System like Windows 7 32-bit. Run 32-bit Programs on 64-bit WindowsWhen you install the 32-bit application on 64-bit based OS, it creates a separate folder in root drive, called ‘Program Files (x86)’ and copy the all files required to run the program. So next time when you open the 32-bit program it accesses the executable program file from Program Files (x86) folder and runs without any issue with 64-bit Windows 7.Also, 32-bit programs system files are installed into C: WINDOWS SysWOW64,and registry keys are placed under HKEYLOCALMACHINE Software WOW6432Node of 32-bit programs. How to Identify the Version of the Program (64 or 32-bit) in WindowsYou can identify the type of the programs by the location of the executable folder. If it placed under the 32-bit version of Program folder, then it is a 32-bit version of the program, another one is the 64-bit version on a 64-bit Windows OS.Also, the is another great place where you can find the version of the running programs.
Open the task manager and click on the Processes where you are can see the all processes related to currently running programs. On 64-bit OS (in my case it is Windows 10), the 32-bit programs shown below. Other ones (which doesn’t have 32 Bit) are 64-bit applications on the computer.In some cases, you may need to run the 32-bit version of applications/tools without installing them. Usually double-clicking the EXE file will open the application without any issues. If you face any issues, you can move these EXE files to Program folder inside Program Files (x86) folder in your root drive, then create a shortcut to the desktop to execute the program whenever wanted.Hope this guide is useful to some extent to install and use 32-bit Programs on 64-bit. 64 bit systems do not run DOS- or 16 bit windows programs.
I am able to run WordPerfect DOS on a x64 system by first installing VDOS, and executing WP.EXE in that environment.I do also have a laptop (Thinkpad X240 )that I use mostly for writing. Even though it is a 64-bit machine, I installed 32 bit Windows 10 on it, because I do use some older programs which run much better on 32 bits.
32 bits windows also has ntvm, so they can run MS-DOS programs like Windows XP — The only difference is that from windows 7 on, all console programs must be run in a Windows, since they no longer have a full-screen console.Comments are closed.
Many times we come across scenarios where we look for backward compatibility in order to run Legacy/Old Software’s on our Newer PCs or OSs. Or may be we need to Run the 32-bit or 16-bit Software’s on our Newer Machines.
Running 16 Bit Apps On Windows 10
E.g Installing Windows 7 Software on Windows 8, Installing Windows Xp Software on Windows 8.1 etc,installing 32 bit software on 64 bit os. This Compatibility Guide will cover all these Compatibility issues.Compatibility Issue 1: 16-bit Softwares on 64-bit OS (e.x Old Dos Games and Softwares on New Windows 7/8/8.1 64bit OS)This Compatibility constraint is the most widely experienced and most searched after Compatibility issue, while running the Old Native DOS based games and apps, on 64bit OS these app simply do not get executed and display a warning message such as “ This app can’t run on your PC”. The solution / fix to this problem is pretty simple – Using DosBox to mount and run these old 16bit apps, infact the apps Run as smoothly as if they were Running on Native environment e.x Windows 95/98, such is the high quality emulation provided by Dosbox. I searched and searched throughout the Internet for DosBox alternatives, but the closest thing i found similar to DosBox is DosBox Itself!. To run your Software through Dosbox, simply install the,Now drag and drop your.exe which is to be opened on the DosBox.exe icon present in the “C:TurboC4Techapple.Net” folder, and your 16bit app will directly Run in 64 bit Windows!Compatibility Issue 2: Older Operating System Software on Newer OS (Windows XP or Windows 7 software installation on Windows 8/8.1).
This is another big Compatibility issue faced by most of Us, and the Solution too is quite Simply according to the Problem. If you are facing the error while launching the setup file, simply Right-click the.exe file, or a shortcut to the.exe file, and select Properties. Click the Compatibility tab. Then check Run this program in compatibility mode for and select an appropriate option according to the OS it was built for. Then try launching the Setup again, it should get installed:) Check the alongside image for more details. Or if it’s giving the problems after installing try the above mentioned Compatibility method along with the “ Run as Administrator” which appears after right clicking on the Icon. I.e Executing the program as Administrator.
Running 16 Bit Programs Xp 64 Windows 7
You can also add the tick in the Checkbox in the Compatibility tab to enable “Run as Administrator” Option.Compatibility Issue 3: Installing Running 32-bit Software in 64 bitGenerally, all the 32-bit software work well by default in 64-bit Operating Systems, but some legacy Softwares give errors, or simply won’t function properly:(. The reason behind one is quite trivial One – All the 32-bit Softwares are installed in the directory “ Program Files(x86)” And they are simply tuned and designed to work with their directory as “ Program Files” so the solution here is quite simple, At the installation time simply change/edit the installation directory to “ Program Files” along with the generated installation directory and as i found out here while, It will work like magic! Along with the above mentioned Run as Administrator/Compatibilty Tweak:)I was able to solve all my Compatibility issues using the above 3 Tweaks, and yes if the Old Beast can still run on Newer Machines so why should we replace it:)?.And if even all the above 3 fail we always have the Option of Virtual Machine and installing OS on it which though lengthy always works, so Enjoy your favourite legacy and Old Softwares with the above mentioned tricks, and if in case Some Software still doesn’t run simply Comment, we would be glad to help!