Windows 10 - switch from 64-bit to 32-bit

[Arctic Fox]

Yes, a retrograde step but I need to do it

I have just bought a new Acer Aspire laptop preloaded with Windows 10 64-bit.

I regularly use an old DOS program that runs fine on any 32-bit machine but is very clunky if I have to run it through DOSBox or similar on a 64-bit machine.

Microsoft tells me that I need to reformat the hard drive and load Windows 10 32-bit from a back-up USB dongle that I can make but, since the laptop came with no CDs, I am concerned that I will not have any specific drivers for my machine that also came preloaded.

Is this likely to be a problem, or are the drivers that come with Windows sufficient?

Thank you

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Windows 10 64 bit to 32 bit - Microsoft Community (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install-winpc/windows-10-64-bit-to-32-bit/68fe05d6-ceea-4aad-803d-8dd2ddbb626c#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20can%20install% 2032,to%20perform%20a%20clean%20installation).

[Arctic Fox]

Thank you, OrangeBlossomBaby

I'm happy with changing my version of Windows; I'm just concerned that, since everything else that came pre-installed (especially the drivers) will be erased when I reformat the hard drive, I don't know where to find these so that I can reinstall them, too.

In the "good old days" you had an operating system disk and a drivers disk, ran them both and all was well. Now we have to find everything on-line and download it, things aren't as straightforward. Plus the companies that sell you the computer don't want to help, but rely on other users to answer any questions!

[smurphy]

You didn't say what program you are trying to run but I suspect it was designed for both 32-bit machines running a much older OS than Win-10. Although, reinstalling with Win-10-32 is possible, it will probably cause you other issues down the road with other programs. More and more programs come now only in 64-bit. Plus, if it doesn't work, you still have your problem and you have messed up you new machine.

You might want to look into using some virtualization software such as VirtualBox, which is free. It enables you to run virtual machines on your physical computer. They can be any operating system. So you could build perhaps a win-7 VM image. Start it up, try your program and if it doesn't work, shut it down, delete the VM, and try again with a different OS. All of this does not impact the host computer.

There are probably some pre-built machine images which you could try.

Good luck.

Steve

[Malsua]

Yes, a retrograde step but I need to do it

I have just bought a new Acer Aspire laptop preloaded with Windows 10 64-bit.

I regularly use an old DOS program that runs fine on any 32-bit machine but is very clunky if I have to run it through DOSBox or similar on a 64-bit machine.

Microsoft tells me that I need to reformat the hard drive and load Windows 10 32-bit from a back-up USB dongle that I can make but, since the laptop came with no CDs, I am concerned that I will not have any specific drivers for my machine that also came preloaded.

Is this likely to be a problem, or are the drivers that come with Windows sufficient?

Thank you

The first thing I would do is create windows 10 bootable media with the media installation tool
here:Download Windows 10 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10)
you can install it on a CD or flash drive.

I would then make sure you're logged into a real microsoft account on that computer. This will allow your windows license to transfer when the computer is re-installed.

I would back up everything that you want to have on the new installation onto something removable.

Go to the MFG website of your device and download the NIC/network driver, put it on something removable.

Pick a 32 bit install during the installation.

Run the installation media, do not blow away the the file structure when you choose where to install it.

You will get a warning that a current installation exists and will be overwritten, accept it and continue. If this part works, all your files will still be there when it's done installing. Your programs will have to be re-installed.

When it is done, log into your microsoft account, it should recognize the hardware and activate your license.

The drivers and everything else will almost certainly install during the installation. If it does not, run the NIC driver you downloaded above. Once the network driver is installed, you can go to the MFG website and pick up any drivers that were missed.

If by chance it will not let you install without re-creating all the drive partitions, you'll have to blow it all away and start from scratch. This happens some times, not sure why. It's why you need to back up anything you wish to keep.

If your license won't activate, hopefully the key is on the device somewhere. Sometimes it is not. Most of the time you can downgrade from 64 to 32 as long as you're in the same class, like home to home or pro to pro. If you try to go from home to pro it won't activate.

Good luck.

[Arctic Fox]

Thank you all for your help.

I am going to risk the conversion over the weekend and hope that all of the drivers are commonplace enough to be found automatically on-line.

If I don't report back, you'll know it didn't work :-)

[Tmarkwald]

Another idea is to dual boot. Although I agree that testing on a Virtual machine first is easy and the first step is take. One of the issues is, however, that virtualization puts a visualized set of drivers with the install. If your program is DOS,
however, that should make no difference, but it might. It would be very helpful to know the program. By chance, have you tried to use compatibility mode?

Getting drivers should be very easy. USB stick, go to the mfg website and download then...

[hav7979]

Yes, a retrograde step but I need to do it

I have just bought a new Acer Aspire laptop preloaded with Windows 10 64-bit.

I regularly use an old DOS program that runs fine on any 32-bit machine but is very clunky if I have to run it through DOSBox or similar on a 64-bit machine.

Microsoft tells me that I need to reformat the hard drive and load Windows 10 32-bit from a back-up USB dongle that I can make but, since the laptop came with no CDs, I am concerned that I will not have any specific drivers for my machine that also came preloaded.

Is this likely to be a problem, or are the drivers that come with Windows sufficient?

Thank you

Backup the existing drive before you start.

Google backup windows 10 drivers and you will see many listing including youtube videos.

Backup and Restore Device Drivers in Windows 10 | Tutorials (https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/68426-backup-restore-device-drivers-windows-10-a.html)

But be aware that 32 bit drives are needed and many companies, like printers etc, no longer make 32 bit drives

[bjalt]

I agree, dual boot is probably your best option. That way you keep everything that's on your 64 bit partition and can even run 64 bit if you want. You will get a prompt every time you boot asking whether you want 32bit or 64bit.

However, i would try to run the program in 64bit using "compatibility mode". It doesn't always work but many times it does. Contract me if you need help.

[AOCMVA]

I did this Thursday evening. My PC went to blue screen of death. I downloaded to a USB drive from the link MULSA provided and went into the bios and had the PC boot from USB drive. Win10 installed perfectly and most all drivers were there. I went into Device manager and updated the drivers from the PC manufacturers site that were were bad. Only 5 under OTHER DEVICES. I'm on the PC right now that I reinstalled win10 from. GOOD LUCK!

[Max0431Zoe]

The virtual machine is a lot safer and easier. I’ve messed around like your thinking before and nothing ever good came of it!!

[rgoosman]

If you want to be safe, buy another hard drive and clone it. If it ever goes bad you can swap drives.

[Neils]

Why not buy a really old PC that still runs for the really old DOS software ??

[J1ceasar]

Or just buy somebody's old laptop to run your program and then if you have to you can transfer the files you need back and forth

[PoolBrews]

You should be able to run most old 32 bit programs in Win32 mode on a 64 bit OS. 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

[davephan]

I suggest that you back up that computer with Acronis True image, before you attempt to reinstall Windows. Acronis True image is not free, but it’s cheap, compared to losing everything on your computer. Everyone should be backing up their computers, but sadly almost no one backs up their computers. I worked in the IT industry for decades, and I recovered Windows servers when the servers failed and needed to be recovered. Eventually, every computer will fail. It could be sooner, or later. If you don’t have a backup, all your documents and photos will be lost forever. Windows has a backup method that is free and built in. Sadly, the built in Windows recovery software fails to recover the computer, when you need to recover! That’s why 3rd party backup software, like Acronis True Image exists.

Sometimes, Windows Activation can be a problem. You can almost always get around that problem is you activate Windows by telephone. You will be asked to type in 9 six number blocks into your phone. Then you will be given 9 six digit blocks to enter into your computer. Take a clear photo of the numbers you are given, so you can reuse those Windows Activation numbers in the future if needed. However, it does work to Activate Windows by telephone on the same computer, over an over. After you are done working on the computer, verify that Windows is Activated. If Windows isn’t Activated, your computer will only stay powered on for one hour, before it powers off by itself.

[Shish]

Here is what I would try 1st:
Click on the "Windows Start"
Select "Settings"
Select "Windows Update"
In the left panel, select "Troubleshoot"
In the right panel, select "Additional Troubleshooters"
Scroll down and select "Program Compatibility Troubleshooter"
Select "Run the troubleshooter"
When it finds all your programs, select the program you are having a problem with and click "Next"

Maybe this will work for you.
Good luck!

[Alaska Butch]

No option to find a new program to teplace your older one? One thing about software, it keeps getting better and you need to learn to change with it.

[Malsua]

I suggest that you back up that computer with Acronis True image, before you attempt to reinstall Windows. Acronis True image is not free, but it’s cheap, compared to losing everything on your computer. Everyone should be backing up their computers, but sadly almost no one backs up their computers. I worked in the IT industry for decades, and I recovered Windows servers when the servers failed and needed to be recovered. Eventually, every computer will fail. It could be sooner, or later. If you don’t have a backup, all your documents and photos will be lost forever. Windows has a backup method that is free and built in. Sadly, the built in Windows recovery software fails to recover the computer, when you need to recover! That’s why 3rd party backup software, like Acronis True Image exists.

Sometimes, Windows Activation can be a problem. You can almost always get around that problem is you activate Windows by telephone. You will be asked to type in 9 six number blocks into your phone. Then you will be given 9 six digit blocks to enter into your computer. Take a clear photo of the numbers you are given, so you can reuse those Windows Activation numbers in the future if needed. However, it does work to Activate Windows by telephone on the same computer, over an over. After you are done working on the computer, verify that Windows is Activated. If Windows isn’t Activated, your computer will only stay powered on for one hour, before it powers off by itself.

Just for what it's worth, as part of my job I used true Image for a long long time, I want to say starting back about 2004. It just worked.

At some point in the last 3-4 years it started not working. It wouldn't boot to the media, the images wouldn't boot, it wouldn't recognize drivers, etc. It became unreliable.

I found a different tool. Macrium reflect. It's free for individual use and for cloning drives. It works. Every time. Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free (https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree) Also, it makes the image while you're booted into the OS! You don't have to boot to a dos loader or some linux loader or whatever. It really is a great tool. I have no connection to this company other than using this software so I'm not trying to foist some malware on you. Get Macrium and try it, you'll thank me later :).

[Arctic Fox]

I appreciate all of the suggestions.

The program is NewViews - written for DOS in the 80's and, amazingly, it still runs in native form on Windows 10 32-bit. 64-bit, however, does not include DOS compatibility so it only works by running it within DOSBox or similar, which makes switching between it and other programs (browser or spreadsheet in my case) very clunky. I had no luck getting vDOS to work. I do not want to learn a new accounting program, and it would probably be impossible to import the 30-year history into it.

I travel a lot and bought this laptop to be the single replacement for a small travel laptop and two home desktops, so I really need it to do everything. Toting a second, 32-bit, laptop is not an option.

From what I have read, while it might be a nerve-racking weekend, it sounds as though the conversion and reinstallation of drivers should go relatively smoothly - famous last words!

[B-flat]

I suggest that you back up that computer with Acronis True image, before you attempt to reinstall Windows. Acronis True image is not free, but it’s cheap, compared to losing everything on your computer. Everyone should be backing up their computers, but sadly almost no one backs up their computers. I worked in the IT industry for decades, and I recovered Windows servers when the servers failed and needed to be recovered. Eventually, every computer will fail. It could be sooner, or later. If you don’t have a backup, all your documents and photos will be lost forever. Windows has a backup method that is free and built in. Sadly, the built in Windows recovery software fails to recover the computer, when you need to recover! That’s why 3rd party backup software, like Acronis True Image exists.
.

This is great advice, I too worked in the IT field and what davephan is suggesting what I would do too if I were using Windows. After retirement I moved to Apple devices, they have been trouble free.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Best suggestions from my experience, which is the P in PC, (Personal)
1) Macrium Reflect for imaging
2) Replace any and all disks with solid state drives (now)
Makes them drop proof in laptops
3) Work on compatibility mode / virtualization of a primary laptop

Then replace the dinosaur in the room

tech guy

[davephan]

This is great advice, I too worked in the IT field and what davephan is suggesting what I would do too if I were using Windows. After retirement I moved to Apple devices, they have been trouble free.

My wife and I also moved on to MacBook Pro computers. At least 99% of the time, the MacBooks are connected to 43 inch Samsung 4K TV for the monitors, mouse, and Matias Quiet Pro full sized keyboards. However, on trips, we can use the laptops alone. Typing on a laptop keyboard is a royal pain, so the Matias Quiet Pro keyboard is worth the $150 cost, much more costly than a typical Windows keyboard.

I still have a couple of Windows computers around for a couple programs that only run on Windows. But the vast majority of the time, we use the Mac computers, which are a lot less trouble to maintain than Windows computers. After getting used to Mac computers, the Windows computers seem very crude, barbaric, and full of security holes that constantly need patching. I also had to do the constant Windows patching on hundreds of Windows servers.

Unfortunately, Apple Cloud backups only works on iPhones and iPads, not MacBooks. You have to backup with a USB hard drive with the MacBook using Time Machine. Time Machine to the Apple Cloud isn't an option for some unknown reason. I also use Acronis on the Mac to have automated backups in the encrypted cloud. Maybe someday, the Apple engineers will wise up and allow Time Machine to backup to the Apple Cloud, something practical, instead of creating endless Emoji's that people don't need.

I backup my Windows computers with Acronis True Image. We started doing backups and recoveries decades ago with Norton Ghost. Version 7 and later were very reliable recoveries. After I retired, my work switched to another backup recovery method that is less reliable. I think that bare metal recoveries weren't even possible with that other backup / recovery software. Differential hardware recoveries might not have been possible either. I also heard that after I retired, my former company got burned because they couldn't successfully do recoveries. When you're in that line of work, you have to perfect your backup and recovery methods, and actually test your recoveries on "test" servers. We also had redundant backup methods. After a couple decades of that line of work, I never ran into a situation where I couldn't recover a Windows server.

The company I worked for was stupid, and didn't backup each Windows workstation and laptop. Only limited files were backed up. Then when someone's workstation or laptop failed, they lost hundreds of hours of productive work time, while the user tried to re-create their computer environment, programs, and settings from a generic base image. Some companies never learn how important proper backups are for every computer, including workstations and laptops in their corporate environment. They even had some Windows servers, out of my area that weren't backed up or patched, and didn't reboot for years!

[lennythenet]

No option to find a new program to teplace your older one? One thing about software, it keeps getting better and you need to learn to change with it.
I agree. Seems like a lot of work for one program. I would research converting files from old DOS program. As technology improves, it will get harder each time for you to use your program. Conversion of that is your best bet. If you do decide to run the 32 bit, I agree with the others on dual boot.

[DeeCee Dubya]

Good luck on the retrograde upgrade.

I am now remembering sitting in a villages listing service office while the agent Looked for some information on a PC. And you may not believe this, but they were still using Windows 7 less than two years ago. Absolutely crazy.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

No option to find a new program to teplace your older one? One thing about software, it keeps getting better and you need to learn to change with it.

DOS programs are legacy and specific. They are designed specifically to run on DOS. The computer needs the appropriate DOS drivers behind the windows somewhere, AND that the windows OS will allow the user to access those drivers. Then, it can be jury-rigged to work. Without it, it won't work, period. The only thing you can do at that point is use a DOS emulator, which is slow and clunky.

I cut my computer teeth on BASIC programming, and spent several years working primarily with DOS. I was heartbroken when they removed DOS from windows. There are just some things that flat out won't work without it.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Good luck on the retrograde upgrade.

I am now remembering sitting in a villages listing service office while the agent Looked for some information on a PC. And you may not believe this, but they were still using Windows 7 less than two years ago. Absolutely crazy.

I was using Windows 7 three years ago. And I have set up my Win10 machine to appear as Win95. If I could get win 3.11 back, I would.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I appreciate all of the suggestions.

The program is NewViews - written for DOS in the 80's and, amazingly, it still runs in native form on Windows 10 32-bit. 64-bit, however, does not include DOS compatibility so it only works by running it within DOSBox or similar, which makes switching between it and other programs (browser or spreadsheet in my case) very clunky. I had no luck getting vDOS to work. I do not want to learn a new accounting program, and it would probably be impossible to import the 30-year history into it.

I travel a lot and bought this laptop to be the single replacement for a small travel laptop and two home desktops, so I really need it to do everything. Toting a second, 32-bit, laptop is not an option.

From what I have read, while it might be a nerve-racking weekend, it sounds as though the conversion and reinstallation of drivers should go relatively smoothly - famous last words!

You know, there IS a more updated version of NewViews, written for Windows. You'd have to spend some time learning how to adjust to the differences, but it has the same functionality as the DOS version with several significant improvements.

NewViews Accounting – NewViews Accounting Software (https://newviews.com/newviews/)

[Pachine58]

Just use ran as on app and choose what operation system you need. No need to uninstall

[nevjudbaker]

Yes, a retrograde step but I need to do it

I have just bought a new Acer Aspire laptop preloaded with Windows 10 64-bit.

I regularly use an old DOS program that runs fine on any 32-bit machine but is very clunky if I have to run it through DOSBox or similar on a 64-bit machine.

Microsoft tells me that I need to reformat the hard drive and load Windows 10 32-bit from a back-up USB dongle that I can make but, since the laptop came with no CDs, I am concerned that I will not have any specific drivers for my machine that also came preloaded.

Is this likely to be a problem, or are the drivers that come with Windows sufficient?

Thank you

Before you purchased your new computer did you ask if your old program could be used on any of the new computers?

They might have something you could add.

[kkimball]

You're likely going to have nothing but trouble moving to Windows 10 32 bit. You're much better off following the advice others have given and running DOS 6.22 in VirtualBox. You can set it up in minutes.

Do a Google search for "virtualbox dos image"

[LeftyMike]

Keep your well running 64 bit Win 10.

Do anything else, but keep the good OS.

Virtual Machine - iis a high overhead solution..I Would se the Compatibility mode.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Keep your well running 64 bit Win 10.

Do anything else, but keep the good OS.

Virtual Machine - iis a high overhead solution..I Would se the Compatibility mode.

Compatibility mode still won't let you use legacy DOS programs. Compatability is not the same as emulation. Windows 10 64-bit -cannot- accommodate DOS programs. You -must- use a third-party emulator for that.

[Arctic Fox]

I know your weekend wouldn't be complete without an update from me - wake up in the back, there! - so here goes:

I decided to try getting vDOS to work one more time and, with help from the Moderator of the vDOS message boards, my DOS NewViews program from 1992 is now running sweetly on Windows 10 64-bit.

I really didn't want to risk going to 32-bit, so all of your advice and encouragement in this thread has been a great help, and much appreciated.

Thank you, everyone

[villagetinker]

I know your weekend wouldn't be complete without an update from me - wake up in the back, there! - so here goes:

I decided to try getting vDOS to work one more time and, with help from the Moderator of the vDOS message boards, my DOS NewViews program from 1992 is now running sweetly on Windows 10 64-bit.

I really didn't want to risk going to 32-bit, so all of your advice and encouragement in this thread has been a great help, and much appreciated.

Thank you, everyone

I would strongly advise contacting NewViews to see if the current (Windows version) of the program will import your years of data. Then I would make sure that I do backups every time you use the old DOS program. My point: you never know when a Windows update will crash a 3rd party program, I have had this happen several times.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I would strongly advise contacting NewViews to see if the current (Windows version) of the program will import your years of data. Then I would make sure that I do backups every time you use the old DOS program. My point: you never know when a Windows update will crash a 3rd party program, I have had this happen several times.

I'd go a leap further and upgrade to the windows version of NewViews. Yes, you have to learn some software. But if you're going to stick with Windows and not go to Linux (which would support the DOS version) then you need to make sure your software is current, and not legacy.