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#21
So I used the Media Creation tool to download a 32-bit version onto a USB. I decided to install in a VM first, to just play around with it and see if it does/doesn't solve the issues I've been having. I have VirtualBox installed, and followed these directions How to Boot From a USB Drive in VirtualBox. At first it didn't work because I forgot to run as administrator (permission issue). Once I remembered to do that I still had an error message though, and clicking on the details indicated a space problem... but there is definitely plenty of space (on both the USB and the hard drive - many Gb in both cases).
So, for those who have successfully installed in a VM before (not something I have much experience with), what do you suggest? A different VM tool? Something I may be missing in the config? Not sure why it thinks there's not much space when there definitely is. :-\
I don't use VM's but it sounds to me that its a free space issue in the VM. On the virtual hard drive, not the physical hard drive. Make your VM bigger, if that's possible.
Thanks for confidence Nigel. I suspect I am not able to help in this case as most of I can think of has already been posted, although I have a few suggestions to OP.
You have stated earlier that you are sure your PC is not UEFI but instead legacy BIOS system. To be absolutely sure, check this tutorial on our sister site EightForums.com: BIOS Mode - See if Windows Boot in UEFI or Legacy Mode
It helps you to be sure beyond a doubt if your PC is running in UEFI or legacy BIOS mode.
If legacy BIOS you should be able to simply download 32 bit version of Windows 10 installer, make a DVD or USB flash drive and install a 32 bit Windows.
About testing first on virtual machine, here's my suggestion: download a 32 bit Windows ISO and create a vm making it boot from this ISO. Your system specs tell you have Windows 10 PRO which includes Hyper-V virtualization. In your case I would forget VirtualBox and use Hyper-V instead and create a Hyper-V vm for Windows 10 32 bit. Skip the Product Key when asked, you can run your Windows 10 vm quite a while without activating it.
When done, when you have Windows 10 32 bit installed on a Hyper-V vm, shut down the vm and and use the virtual hard disk of it to set it up in native dual boot. This way you can test this 32 bit Windows on your actual hardware instead of a vm, install some of your older software not working in 64 bit Windows and see if they run in 32 bit Windows on your hardware.
Sounds complicated but is actually easy and fast. See these tutorials to get you started:
- Setup Hyper-V, install Windows on vm: Hyper-V virtualization - Setup and Use in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
- Use VHD of your Hyper-V vm in native dual boot: Hyper-V - Native Boot VHD - Windows 10 Forums
Kari