[New] How to Install and Run 64 Bit Programs on 32 Bit Windows 10/8/7

This page gives you a direct answer to whether you can install 64-bit programs, software, and even games on a 32-bit operating system like Windows 10, 8, 7, etc.

If you have the same needs, follow the content navigation below to get your answers now:В

Can I Run 64-Bit Software on a 32-Bit System?

Case 1. «IsВ there a way of running a 64-bit program on a 32-bit system? If not,В is there a way of upgrading from 32 bit to 64 bit for free so that I can run the 64-bit software? NOTE: I am using Windows 10.«

Case 2. «Recently, I have downloaded a new game. The game is 64 bit and it costs 40$. However, my Windows 10 is 32 bit and I can’t run my game on it! How can I run my 64-bit games on my 32 bit Windows? I really really need help!«

According to many Windows users, mostly, when they tend to install 64-bit software on their 32-bit computers, Microsoft gives them a warning, telling them, «В ThisВ appВ can’t run on your PC.В To find a version of your PC, check with the software publisher».В

Basically, due to the limit of 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems, you can’t runВ software, applications, and programs on Windows 10/8/7, even Vista, XP that doesn’t match its version.

In a word, you can’t install andВ run 64-bit software on a 32-bit computer, or vice versa. But sometimes, if the 64-bit operating system is compatible with 32-bit, you can install a 32-bit app on the 64-bit computer.

So is it possible to fix this issue? Continue reading and you’ll find answers here.

3 Solutions to Run 64-Bit Programs on 32-Bit Windows 7/8/10

Here we have three solutions to help you run your 64-bit programs on 32 bit Windows 7/8/10:

Note that the provided methods work in different situations. Please pick up the right one to resolve your problem.

IMPORTANT: Backup Important Files onВ 32-Bit OS

As for upgradingВ 32-bit OS to 64-bit OS,В installing 64-bit programs on a 32-bit computer,В or daily operations on computers may cause data loss, soВ do remember to back up your vitalВ data and even the OSВ before taking action.

EaseUS Todo Backup allows all Windows users to back up their data under Windows 10/8/7 etc with simple clicks. Download it and backup terabytes of data easily.

Support Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

Step 1. Open EaseUS Todo Backup and selectВ «File» as the backup mode.

You may have a large amount of vital data to be protected as time goes on, such as documents, pictures, music, and videos, etc. It is always a good habit to have a backup on a regular basis. File Backup is one of the best choices for you to get over unexpected data loss.

Step 2. Select the files that you want to back up.

Step 3. Select a destination to save your backup of the selected files.

You’d better create the backup file in some other storage media or in some other drive. If not, there may be a risk of the backup file getting corrupted or destroyed.

Advanced backup settings are useful when you want to create a flexible and automatic backup plan.В

The schedule is to create an automatic backup plan.

Backup options are to edit the advanced parameters.В

The Image-reserve strategy is to reserve the limited image as per image retention rule.

Advanced backup settings are for reference only but not a prerequisite for backup.

Step 4. Click «Proceed» to execute your operation.

Solution 1. Download and Install 32-bit Version of Programs on 32-Bit OS

Applies to:В Resolve software compatibility issue, download and installВ 32-bit programs and applications on 32-Bit Windows 7/8/10.

If you want to avoid OS compatibility issues, the best solution is to install the right version of software and applications on the right version of your operating system:

• On 32-Bit OS: Install 32-Bit Version of Programs
• On 64-Bit OS: Install 32-Bit Version of Applications

Here are the steps of how to download 32-bit programs on your 32-bit computers:

Normally, if you download programs from the Windows Store, it will automatically listВ the 32-bit of programs for you.В

Step 1.В Open Windows Store and search the programs, software, applications that you need.

Step 2.В Download and install the found application, program, software on your 32-bit computer.

Step 3.В After downloading, run and activate the downloaded 32-bit of apps on your PC.

You can alsoВ search the Internet or contact the software producer so as to findВ the 32-bit version of your program. Simply download it and you can run it immediately.

Solution 2. Upgrade Windows 10/8/7 from 32-Bit to 64-BitВ

Applies to: Upgrade 32-Bit of OS to 64-Bit so to install and run 64-Bit Programs.

As some games orВ programs may not have the 32-bit version. Or you don’t want to waste money to purchase aВ 32-bit version of the program again.

In this case, you canВ try this way out — to convert the 32-bit operating system to 64-bit. After this,В you can install and run theВ 64-bit programs. Now, you may go through the followingВ twoВ phases to convert and upgrade your Windows 7/8/10 from 32 bit to 64 bit:

Phase 1. Check if YourВ PC Is 64-bit Compatible

Before you upgrade 32-bit OS to 64-bit, you need to confirm that your computer is compatible with 64-bit in hardware, processor, CPU, driver, etc.

#1. Check if PC Is 64-Bit CapableВ

Step 1. Open the search menu and search for System Information.

Step 2.В Click to open System Information.

Step 3.В Click «System Type» to check if your computer is capable of running the 64-bit version of Windows.В

If you see x64-based PC, then your computer is capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you see an x86-based PC, then you can’t install 64-bit OS on the currentВ computer.

#2. Check if Processor Supports Windows 64-Bit

Step 1.В Open Settings, click on «System» > «About».

Step 2.В Check if the Installed RAM is 2GB or higher.

If the RAM is less than 2GB, we suggest you stay with 32-bit OS.

Step 3.В Check if the System type details.

If it reads as the x64-based processor, it means that you can upgrade your computer from 32-bit to 64-bit.

#3. Determine Drivers Compatibility

Besides the processor, it also matters to confirm other components, like graphics and sound cards, disk drivers, etc., that are compatible with the 64-bit version of Windows OS.

To do so, you need:

• If you are running Windows 10 32-bit and the hardware is new, they are likely compatible with the 64-bit version of drivers.
• Check your device manufacturer website to confirm if the components have drivers from 64-bit.

After making sure that your PC is relatively compatible with 64-bit of OS, you can now move to the next phases.В

Phase 2. Upgrade to Windows 7/8/10 64-bit

Here, we’ll take installing Windows 10 as an example to show you the whole process of upgrading the 32-bit OS to 64-bit. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to the Microsoft official site to download the Windows 10 media creation tool.

Step 2.В Connect an empty USB with at least 8GB to your PC.

Step 3.В Double-click to run MediaCreationTool.exe follow the on-screen guidelines to create the Windows 10 64-bit Installation media on USB.

Step 4.В Restart PC and set to boot the computer from the USB installation media.

Step 5.В Start installing Windows 10 64-bit on your 32-bit computer by setting the language, edition, architecture, etc.

Step 6.В Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installingВ Windows 64-bit OS on your 32-bit computer.В

Solution 3. Use VMware to Run 64-Bit Programs, Application, and Software

Applies to: Running 64-bit OS on a 32-bit computer without reinstalling Windows OS on a VMware machine.

Virtual machines allow you to run an operating system on your desktop computer without replacing the old operating system.

In a word, you can keep both the old 32-bit OSВ and run a 64-bit OS on the same computer via a VMware machine. With a 64-bit OS running in the VMware machine, you can install and run all types of 64-bit programs, applications, and software on the 32-bit computer without any issues.

If you are running a 32-bit OS on 64-bit hardware, then you can do it with VMWare. A 64-bit guest can run on a 32-bit host if the hardware supports it.

Step 1.В Pick up and install a suitable virtual machine.

There are several different virtual machine programs you can choose from VirtualBox, VMware Player, VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop.

VMware is widely used by Windows users.

Step 2.В Download the 64-bit Windows ISO file and run the VMware machine.

Step 3.В В Select to install the 64-bit version of OS.

Step 4. Set a hard drive to install the 64-bit OS on.

You’ll be guided through the process by a wizard that first asks which OS you’ll be installing. Just choose the 64-bit version OS, and follow the virtual machine’s direction.

Step 5.В Restart the VMware machine once you complete installing the OS.В

Step 6.В Download and install to run the 64-bit programs, apps, and software on your computer.В

After this, you can run the 64-bit programs on your 32-bit computer then.

To Wrap It Up

On this page, we explained why Windows doesn’t allow you to directly run a 64-bit program on a 32-bit computer. We also collected 3 resolutions to help you fix this issue.

Note that no matter which method you decide to use, remember to create a full backup of your important data in advance. EaseUS Todo Backup is good for you to try.

Support Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

For those who want to stay with Windows 32-bit, downloading and installing a 32-bit version of applications on the computer is the best way out.

If you are familiar with a VMware machine, installing a 64-bit of Windows OS via a VMware machine in your 32-bit computer is also workable. Then, you can download and run the 64-bit programs on the 32-bit computer.

If your computer supports 64-bit, you can also clean install 64-bit OS on the 32-bit computer. This will be the safest way of making 64-bit programs running smoothly on a 32-bit computer without any issue.

How to run a batch file in 64 bit mode from a batch file in 32 bit mode

I want my program to run in 32 bit mode if in a 32 bit OS or in 64 bit mode if it’s in a 64 bit OS.

That program is created with Bat To Exe Converter v2.1.4, so it’s basically a batch file. Normally, when I run a batch file on a 32 bit OS it runs in 32 bit mode and when I run it on a 64 bit OS it runs in 64 bit mode, isn’t it?

The problem is, using Bat To Exe Converter v2.1.4, I can choose if the program is 32 or 64 bit. So I have to choose 32 or else, I don’t think it will run on a 32 bit OS.

I tried using .vbs files to re-launch the program using .Run and .ShellExecute, but the result was the architecture being the same as the one set in the converter.

I also tried cmd /c and %WINDIR%\System32\cmd.exe /c and also %WINDIR%\SysWOW64\cmd.exe /c , but I couldn’t find a way to do it.

I use Windows 8.0 x64 and my VM is Windows 8.1 x64.

3 Answers 3

You could use following at top of your batch file:

Next you need to call every console application in System32 directory of Windows with %SystemPath% in your batch file, for example %SystemPath%\findstr.exe . Of course you could also start cmd with %SystemPath%\cmd.exe to run always 64-bit command line interpreter from within the batch file.

The environment variable SystemPath is set first to System32 directory of Windows.

The batch file packed into a 32-bit executable runs now all console applications indeed from System32 directory on 32-bit Windows, but from %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64 directory on 64-bit Windows.

Therefore the batch file checks next if environment variable ProgramFiles(x86) exists which is the case only on Windows x64. Therefore the condition on third line is false on Windows x86 and SystemPath is not changed. But SystemPath is modified to %SystemRoot%\Sysnative on 64-bit Windows to call the applications in %SystemRoot%\System32 from 32-bit executable respectively cmd.exe without redirection to %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64 .

For more details see the Microsoft documentation page File System Redirector.

But better would be to do that all inside the 32-bit executable which extracts the batch file to %TEMP% and run it either with

for 32-bit Windows where environment variable ProgramFiles(x86) does not exist or with

on 64-bit Windows.

Here is one more code which can be used at top of a batch file to run always 64-bit console applications independent on being started on Windows x64 with 32-bit or with 64-bit cmd.exe .

On Windows x64 it is additionally checked if there are files in %SystemRoot%\Sysnative . In this case the batch file is executed with 32-bit cmd.exe and only in this case %SystemRoot%\Sysnative needs to be used at all. Otherwise %SystemRoot%\System32 can be used also on Windows x64 as when the batch file is started with 64-bit cmd.exe , this is the directory containing the 64-bit console applications.

Note: %SystemRoot%\Sysnative is not a directory. It is not possible to cd to %SystemRoot%\Sysnative or use if exist %SystemRoot%\Sysnative .