How to run 16-bit apps in Windows 10 64-bit [STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE]

Like the previous version of Windows OS, the Windows 10 also comes with support for running the older programs not compatible with the Windows 10 64bit edition. Since the Windows 64-bit system lacks the 16-bit subsystem to run 16-bit apps, we need to try a workaround.

To install 16-bit apps in Windows 10 64-bit we need to install a Virtual Machine first and then install an older version of Windows OS like XP onto it. After that, you can install most of the 16-bit apps in Windows 10 via Virtual Machine.

Can I run 16 bit programs on a 64 bit computer?

Install and configure VirtualBox

1. Start with downloading Oracle VirtualBox that you can download for free from the official page. Make sure you download the right version for your Windows (Virtualbox 5.1.4 for Windows hosts).
2. Run the installer after the download is complete.
3. Once you have installed the Oracle Virtual Box successfully, you need to create a new virtual machine for your legacy application.
4. Since you want to run a 16-bit app in Windows 10 64-bit system, it is recommended that you use Windows XP to create a new virtual machine.
5. Make sure you have downloaded the Windows XP ISO onto your computer. You can find the Windows XP ISO with a simple Google search. Proceed with creating new Virtual Machine, after you have the Windows XP ISO ready.
6. Launch Virtual Box, click on Machine and select New.
   
   
7. Here you need to enter a name for the VM. Enter Windows XP. Most likely Oracle Box will automatically fill the OS version to Windows XP 32-bit.
   
8. If not click on the drop-down menu for version and select “Windows XP (32-bit).
9. Next, you need to set the memory size. If you have 8 GB of RAM then I would recommend setting the size to 1GB and for 4GB set it to 512 MB.
10. Under “Hard Disk” section, select “Create a virtual hard disk now” option. This partition will store the operating system.
11. Click the Create button.
12. In the “Create a Virtual Hard Disk” window, leave the File Location as it is.
13. Go to Hard Disk file type and select VDI(VirtualBox Disk Image).
14. For “Storage on Physical hard disk” select “Dynamically allocated” option.
15. Click on the Create button again.
16. OracleBox will now start creating your Hard Disk. It may take a while so, wait for till it completes.

Do you want to use Windows XP forever ? We’ve got your back.

Install the Windows XP OS

1. To install the OS you need the Windows XP ISO Image. If you have it downloaded, proceed with the next steps.
2. In the Virtual Box, select Windows XP and click on the Start button.
   
3. Since this is the first time you are installing Windows OS, it will ask you to select a Startup Disk.
   
4. Click on the Browse icon and navigate to where your Windows ISO Image is located. Select the ISO Image and click on Start.
5. Now follow the on-screen instructions to install the OS.

Install Guest Additions

1. To move between the virtual machine and the host easily, you need to install Guest Additions.
   
2. In your Virtual Machine, click on Devices and click on Insert Guest Additions CD Image. Click Next.

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Can’t run 16-bit Windows Program

EVERY time I boot up my computer, I get the message:

«Can’t run 16-Bit Windows Program

Startup — Insufficient memory to run this application. Quit one or more Windows applications and then try again.»

But it doesn’t tell me WHAT 16-Bit program is trying to run on my 32-Bit computer. How do I fix this problem?

Replies (1) 

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK out. You don’t need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you’ll get a dialog saying you’ve used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in effect, «don’t bother me about this again».

Important — Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes. Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services unless you really, really know what you’re doing.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Then be proactive and scan with MalwareBytes’ Anti-Malware (free).

MS-MVP — Elephant Boy Computers — Don’t Panic!

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How can I run 16 bit programs in Windows 7 64-bit?

I am running Window 7 home premium and I am wanting to run Dbase III which is a 16 bit program. Can I partition my hard drive, half windows 7 premium and half windows XP?

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Hello Ronin Loki,

16-bit programs can’t run on 64-bit windows 7 natively. As ITKnowledge24 stated, if you have Windows 7 professional or ultimate you may be able to run in XP-mode. XP-mode is 32-bit XP sp3.

You might also be able to use your DBase III using a DOS emulator such as DOSBox (it’s free): http://www.windowsreference.com/free-utilities/dosbox-free-opensource-dos-x86-emulator-for-windows-linux/ I believe, they have versions for 64-bit and should be able to run your program.

Hope this helps.

Marilyn
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

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How to: Run 16-bit Programs on Windows 10 64-bit

Infopackets Reader ‘Colin’ writes:

I have Windows 10 64-bit and when I try and run an old Visual Basic software program, it says ‘This app cannot run on your PC’. I believe the Visual Basic program uses 16-bit architecture. So the question is, how can I run 16-bit programs on Windows 10 64-bit? «

The simple answer is that you cannot run 16-bit applications on 64-bit Windows directly, including Windows 10 64-bit. The same holds true when trying to run 16-bit applications on Windows 7 64-bit or Windows 8 64-bit. That said, there are workarounds to the problem.

Option #1: Use Windows 10 32-bit to run 16-bit Programs

Windows 10 32-bit supports 16-bit applications directly, but before you install it, please note that Windows 10 32-bit supports a maximum of 4 gigabytes of RAM. Since RAM makes a massive difference in the usability and speed of a computer, you would not want to switch to Windows 10 32-bit if you have more than 4 gigabytes of RAM. In that case, try Option #2.

Option #2: Use a Virtual Machine to Emulate Windows 10 32-bit

If your computer has at least a quad core processor and 8 or more gigabytes of RAM, then the best bet would be to use a virtual machine to emulate Windows 10 32-bit inside of your Windows 10 64-bit environment.

Going about this would be somewhat tricky to avoid paying for another Windows license. To do so: backup your existing Windows 10 64-bit using a disk image, then format the drive and install Windows 10 32-bit. Following that, use vmware vcenter converter to convert the physical machine to a virtual machine. Once that is done, test the virtual machine to ensure it works, then restore your disk image backup to put your system back to Windows 10 64-bit.

In theory your Windows 10 32-bit should now run inside of the Windows 10 64-bit desktop, using the same license. To be honest, I have not tested whether or not the license will ‘stick,’ since technically it is running on new ‘virtual machine hardware’. Anyone who has tried this is welcome to comment.

Option #3: Use DOSBox to Run your 16-bit Program

DOSBox is a program that emulates a 32-bit environment, which supports 16-bit applications. In the extremely rare case you need to run a 16-bit DOS-based program, you might want to consider using DOSBox. But, since DOS hasn’t been really been used much since the Windows XP days (back in 2001), there’s a very slim chance that anyone will want to go this route — especially if the 16 bit application was meant to run on Windows in the first place.

Option #4: Find an Alternative Program

If none of the above three options sounds appealing to you, then I suggest you find an alternative program to replace the 16-bit program which is no longer supported on 64-bit versions of Windows. Before doing that, you may need to export data from the old program and import it into the new one so you don’t lose any information. As an example: on most major web browsers, there is a feature to ‘export bookmarks’, which can be saved to a file, then re-imported into the browser later.

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Can’t run 16-bit Windows Program

EVERY time I boot up my computer, I get the message:

«Can’t run 16-Bit Windows Program

Startup — Insufficient memory to run this application. Quit one or more Windows applications and then try again.»

But it doesn’t tell me WHAT 16-Bit program is trying to run on my 32-Bit computer. How do I fix this problem?

Replies (1) 

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK out. You don’t need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you’ll get a dialog saying you’ve used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in effect, «don’t bother me about this again».

Important — Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes. Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services unless you really, really know what you’re doing.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Then be proactive and scan with MalwareBytes’ Anti-Malware (free).

MS-MVP — Elephant Boy Computers — Don’t Panic!

3 people found this reply helpful

Was this reply helpful?

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Great! Thanks for your feedback.

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