Windows 7 64 to 32 bit

vince3 · 14 Jun 2010 at 14:34

I'm looking at various laptops with blu-ray. I recently bought a new desktop PC and Windows 7 retail so I could try 64 and 32 bit versions. I finished up with 32-bit as a number of applications wouldn't run with 64.
If I bought a laptop with 64-bit pre-installed and couldn't cope, would it be easy to change to 32-bit, assuming I bought a copy (I know I can't use the W7 disk I already have)?

Thanks

Calneon · 14 Jun 2010 at 14:38

You would need to format and reinstall the 32 bit version. However, I strongly advise against going with the 32-bit version, 64-bit is becoming the standard and to chose to install a 32-bit OS in these times would be... silly to say the least. Maybe it's time to upgrade to applications that support 64-bit.

Also, just FYI, you don't need to buy a new OS, you can send off for a new installation disk of the version you want from Microsoft, you just need to provide the CD key.

vince3 · 14 Jun 2010 at 14:53

Calneon said:
Also, just FYI, you don't need to buy a new OS, you can send off for a new installation disk of the version you want from Microsoft, you just need to provide the CD key.

Thanks for the comment about Microsoft. I didn't know they'd do that for a pre-installed version.
The software I have would just cost rather a lot to replace, and one product in particular I don't like the newest version.
When I bought the new PC I spent a couple of weeks installing and re-installing Windows 7 in both versions and to be honest I didn't notice any difference at all (in the products that worked on both) even though some memory is 'blanked out' of my 4GB with the 32 bit version.
My main concern about 'downgrading' is probably any drivers already on the laptop - I assume they could be downloaded as required.

_lecro_ · 14 Jun 2010 at 14:58

Calneon said:
Maybe it's time to upgrade to applications that support 64-bit..

^^

Just out of interest which application wouldn't run with 64 bit ?

vince3 · 14 Jun 2010 at 15:05

Corel Office 11 was the major one which I use all the time.

Calneon · 14 Jun 2010 at 15:19

This is where you can get a different version:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

_lecro_ · 14 Jun 2010 at 15:21

vince said:
Corel Office 11 was the major one which I use all the time.

According to there site its compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit

vince3 · 14 Jun 2010 at 15:28

_lecro_ said:
According to there site its compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit

With 64 bit it is unpredictable at times, refusing to save files. I can't remember offhand whether this was in WordPerfect or Quattro Pro - one or the other.

Speed · 14 Jun 2010 at 15:36

Why not just use some different office software? There are free alternatives out there that might be worth giving a go.

http://www.openoffice.org

Or get a more up to date version of Corel Office, version 11 is some 7 years old.

vince3 · 14 Jun 2010 at 15:53

Quattro Pro macros can't be converted to Open Office - I've tried. Not sure about Word Perfect. I'd just like to avoid unnecessary expense on new versions with not much in the way of functional improvement.

Speed · 14 Jun 2010 at 15:54

Yeah thats fair enough.

wozza2k · 17 Jun 2010 at 18:36

Calneon said:
This is where you can get a different version:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

Thats a Vista link???