Forgive me for an emotional outburst, but this one made me laugh and cry when I saw it in the search-stats. To tell the truth I am surprised that at this point in time people are still asking such questions as those below. – Nevertheless, the purpose of this blog is to educate and help people; which is what it’ll continue to do.

The questions were actually worded similar to “Can I use Windows XP…” or “Can I use Windows 7… 32-bit on a 64-bit computer?”: – I’ve seen both versions.

Windows XP is the only operating system that I recommend using the 32-bit version of by default.

Why?

- Because there were so few 64-bit drivers written and produced for XP that it really isn’t worth bothering with the 64-bit version of XP unless you happen to be a techno-masochist. XP is pretty much outdated anyway; I’m using the 32-bit version of XP I currently have installed on 1 of my 2 comps until the machine has a major hardware failure, or 2014: Whichever is sooner.

If you’re dual-booting XP and Windows 7, or running XP in a virtual machine inside Windows 7, then I encourage you to run the 32-bit version of XP… Which will run perfectly well on a 64-bit-capable computer.

As for Windows 7; why oh why would anyone want to run the 32-bit version of Windows 7 on a 64-bit-capable box? There is only one valid reason that I’ve heard so far; and that is that some of the internal hardware as well as a number of the external peripheral devices are so old that they won’t work in a 64-bit environment no matter what.

‘2 Important facts here: -

• 1) If a machine is capable of running a 64-bit operating system then it’s equally capable of running a 32-bit operating system.

• 2) If a machine is only built to run a 32-bit operating system; in other words if it’s 5 or more years old, (in 19 out of 20 cases.) then it cannot run a 64-bit operating system.

Resisting the impulsive urge to tell the person to stop being so mean and tight-fisted, and upgrade their old hardware and/or buy/build a new box; I see this as probably the only valid reason to install the 32-bit version of Windows 7 on an otherwise 64-bit-capable machine: i.e. One that has at least a 64-bit-capable motherboard and processor.

The 64-bit version of Windows 7 is packed in the same presentation-case as the 32-bit version; so why oh why oh why would anyone want to install the 32-bit version on a machine that is 100% capable of running the 64-bit version? – But yet I know of at least one case where this has actually happened. It baffles me; honestly it completely does my head in.

“A lot of the application software I use is only available in 32-bit.” and “A 64-bit operating system uses up more RAM”, whilst possibly true; just don’t cut it with me: –

- So I reply to that with: Wait a while until the 64-bit versions of your software appear, use the 32-bit versions until then, and fit extra RAM if you have less than 4GBs installed. It’s not exactly going to cost you a fortune; and 32-bit software runs fine in a 64-bit Windows operating environment anyway.

There is just one device that I’m having trouble with as far as Windows 7 64-bit is concerned; and that’s my Labtec webcam 6.0.1: I have XP 32-bit drivers for it on CD, which is fine for my XP system. When I try to install it on my Windows 7 64-bit box, though, the Vista 64-bit driver won’t install for some reason. Normally, in most cases, if no Windows 7-specific 64-bit driver is available, (At least, I can’t find one online.) then the Vista 64-bit driver is usually good enough. – Not in this case though: it just doesn’t want to know. – But it’s only a cheap webcam; it’s not anything massively expensive or irreplaceable. It cost me less than £7 around 2 years ago: It’s hardly the crown jewels! I’ll just buy a newer model with a Windows 7-specific driver. – ‘Simple as that.

+ One more thing I’d better make clear, as an addition to the above, since I notice that Google sends relevant traffic here, is that yes, you can run both a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version of the same OS on the same machine… BUT in order to do it legally you’ll need a separate licence for each version: One licence will not cover both 32 and 64-bit. +

+ If you’re intending to run both 32 and 64-bit operating systems then I suggest that you use a separate disk for each OS. You can partition a single disk if you must; but using separate disks will avoid complications cropping up over time; trust me on that. +

(Added 28th December 2009.)

I realise that I’m being long-winded with regard to this Windows 7 64-bit fixation of mine; but it’s a wide topic that I’d like to ensure that I’ve covered all aspects of to a large extent, without completely flogging it to death so much that readers protest with their mouse and back-button.

That’s all.