Can you put 64 bit files onto a 32 bit OS of MS10

I have a situation with changing between 32 and 64 bit OS system and I just need to know a few things.

I have Vista 32 bit OS on my desktop
I have MS10 64 bit OS on my HP laptop.

I got the laptop when I had surgery and it is about 5 years old.

My friend just updated my Desktop with a new hard drive for operating speed and an additional hd.

I purchased MS 10 for the Desktop in 64 bit format. He said he had to use the 32 bit format to clone the HD with the programs so I wouldn't lose any. If he puts 64 bit on he will have to do a clean install. I understand that.

What I would like to know is I have way to many data files in 64 bit that need to be imported to the Desktop. Can I go backward from 64 to 32 bit with files if they were created with a 64 bit operating system?

I believe I can run programs that are 32 bit on a 64 bit system and also run 32 bit programs on a 64 bit OS. So the data is all I am concerned about if I want to stay with the Win 10 32 bit system on the desktop?

I thank you in advance for your time in answering my question.

In general :
A 64-bit application can not run in a 32-bit operating system.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/w...#1TC=windows-7

The article was written for Windows 7, but same principles apply.

davidhk said:

In general :
A 64-bit application can not run in a 32-bit operating system.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/w...#1TC=windows-7

The article was written for Windows 7, but same principles apply.

Hi there

actually not quite true -- you CAN run a 64 bit VM (Guest OS) on a 32 bit host provided

1) CPU supports 64 bit

2) VM (Intel; VT or AMD equivalent) is enabled in the BIOS.

The restriction though is that both HOST + VM cannot use more than 4GB of RAM still applies if the HOST is running a 32 BIT OS --however it's quite good for testing --you can easily run 64 bit W10 in 2 GB of RAM.

When W7 appeared a few years ago I ran 64 bit W7 VM's on a 32 bit XP system quite OK. You need to check though in the BIOS that the VT switch is enabled and the CPU can support 64 bit instructions, If those conditions aren't met then you can't run a 64 Bit GUEST OS (VM).

In theory the CPU doesn't even need to support 64 bit either to run a 64 bit GUEST VM -- although you do need the VT switch to be set in the BIOS -- also if you are running your VM using latest version of VMPLAYER or VMWARE workstation then current releases of these only run on 64 bit HOSTS -- older releases will work however with 32 bit OS'es running on the HOST machine.

Cheers
jimbo

Bebe Dahling said:

What I would like to know is I have way to many data files in 64 bit that need to be imported to the Desktop. Can I go backward from 64 to 32 bit with files if they were created with a 64 bit operating system?

I believe I can run programs that are 32 bit on a 64 bit system and also run 32 bit programs on a 64 bit OS. So the data is all I am concerned about if I want to stay with the Win 10 32 bit system on the desktop?

I thank you in advance for your time in answering my question.

Data files such as music, photos, documents, spreadsheets, etc. are neither 32-bit nor 64-bit. They are just data. And yes, you can run 32-bit applications and programs on a 64-bit Windows 10. Although it looks like 32-bit Office may have a file size limitation of 2GB - but since you are moving up to 64-bit from 32-bit, that won't be a factor.

I believe the first two replies misunderstood your question and you are speaking about using your old 32-bit data on a new 64-bit install although Jimbo45 wasn't really replying to your question....

If it was me, I would just do a clean install on the desktop using the 64-bit version. There aren't many reasons to stay with a 32 bit OS right now, so unless you have a very unique compatibility issue, I wouldn't even consider it. This way, the computer is running on the standard platform for 2016 and allows you to use any additional memory upgrades you might have at 4 GB or above.

DeaconFrost;698054
My friend that is helping me to upgrade my desktop to bigger and faster said if he did a clean install I would lose all the programs I didn't have disks for. They are mostly freebees. Printing or viewing fonts, that sort of thing. Sadly, all that I have are not around anymore. That is the only reason not to do the 64 bit. I did but they MS OS 64 bit to put on my desktop. He did a clone of my HD for the update so I could keep the programs I will lose with a clean install. I was curious about files but it doesn't sound like the speed on 32 bit would be much faster. What is the advantage of 64 over 32 bit anyway?

Bebe Dahling said:

What is the advantage of 64 over 32 bit anyway?

The first advantage of 64-bit is that 32-bit will only use 4 GB of memory (and, not really all 4GB either). So if you upgrade the computer with more the 4GB of memory, it is just a waste and never gets used until you move up to 64-bit.

Then I would take this time to find replacements for those freebie software apps. I'm sure you can find something to do the jobs of those older apps.

Just wanted to say thank you for you sharing that info.