I have two new computers running Vista Home Premium 64-bit. I discovered that Vista 64-bit doesn't support some old 16-bit programs; while these old programs are supported in Vista 32-bit. I need the compatibility with older applications more than speed, so, Can I install Windows 7 32-bit on my 64-bit capable hardware? Can I do an upgrade, or must I save and do a new install? Or, please make me happy and tell me Windows 7 64-bit has the same support for ancient 16-bit applications as exists in Vista 32-bit.

I have two new computers running Vista Home Premium 64-bit. I discovered that Vista 64-bit doesn't support some old 16-bit programs; while these old programs are supported in Vista 32-bit. I need the compatibility with older applications more than speed, so,Can I install Windows 7 32-bit on my 64-bit capable hardware?Can I do an upgrade, or must I save and do a new install?Or, please make me happy and tell me Windows 7 64-bit has the same support for ancient 16-bit applications as exists in Vista 32-bit. HiYes, you can install the 32-bit Windows 7 on the 64-bit capable hardware.You cannot perform an upgrade, it must be a clean install.Sorry, but the 64-bit system does not support 16-bit applications.Hope this helps.Thank You for testing Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

Jhobbs - To answer your questions in order:Yes. you can install a 32 bit OS on 64 bit hardware.Yes. You have to do a complete reinstall to get the 32 bit OS installedand...Yes. There may be a way to make your old 16 bit apps work. That would largely depend on the app itself. Windows 7 sports this feature called XP Mode. It's a copy of XP Pro that's being run in a virtual machine. There are alsoa few caveats...1.)Your CPU and motherboard both must support hardware virtualization.2.) Graphics and sound are limited - Don't expect games and such to work.3.) It's only available on Windows 7 Professional and above.

Many thanks! I'm hopeful that these 16 bit apps will work with Windows 7 Professional on my computer. Are 16 bit apps (the XP Pro virtual machine) supported equally well in both 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows 7?

Also, for knowledge... We all know it is possible to make a USB installer for windows 7; format and partition the drive set the partition active make the drive bootable (bootsect.exe/NT60 <drive>:\) drop the iso contents into the drive With this method if you are in a 32 bit windows install, you can (or must, however you look at it) use the 32bit bootsect.exe to make a bootable drive to throw the 64 bit iso contents into, i have personally done it and it works fine.