How to change 64 bit windows 7 to 32 bit?

[Sankalp Nistala]

I have a Windows 7 64-bit OS but i wat to change the OS to 32-bit. How can i change that?

 

[nikorr]

Clean install only.

 

[kilo_17]

^^^What nikorr said. Format and install with the 32-bit disc.

 

[lycros]

What disc and license do you have?

Also, why do you need to switch to 32-bit?

 

[draggoth]

Can't be done, once you install a 64-bit edition of Windows the only way to switch to a 32-bit edition is to make a clean install using a 32-bit edition installation disk. If you need to run a 32-bit application that won't run on Windows 7 64-bit I think you should try to figure it out using the compatibility options within Windows first or try installing Windows XP Mode ( more info here). If you need it for compatibility with your hardware... well, I think you should really consider an upgrade already.

 

[mavroxur]

You'd need to do a fresh reinstall from the DVD. The license (COA) will install either 32 or 64 bit versions of the particular OS level (if it's a 7 pro license, it'll work for either pro 32 bit or pro 64 bit).

 

[13thmonkey]

+1 to why, and no it can't done without an install.

 

[ravi_59]

I have a Windows 7 64-bit OS but i wat to change the OS to 32-bit. How can i change that?

 

[winoutreach5]

Hi Sankalp,

As other members on the forum have specified, if one wishes to move from Windows 7 64-bit to Windows 7 32-bit a clean, or "custom", install will indeed be required. Please remember to first backup any and all important data as a “custom” installation is considered to be a clean installation. Any data currently on the machine can be lost when performing such an installation. To learn more about custom installations for Windows 7, please see the following resource:

Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 (custom installation)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7-custom

To learn more about installing Windows 7, please see the following resource:

Installing and reinstalling Windows 7
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7

Also, to see the differences between 32-bit architecture and 64-bit architecture, you may find the following resource to be helpful:

32 Bit and 64 Bit Windows Frequently Asked Questions
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

Jessica
Windows Outreach Team -- IT Pro