install 32 windows 10 on previously installed 64 bit version

I haven't used Hyper-V, but in theory you can install Windows without worrying about devices. When complete and you can see the desktop, shut down the virtual machine and then try to add devices. The EULA (End User License Agreement) of Windows doesn't state that it is illegal to install in a virtual machine! Many corporations do so because it is cheaper than buying a real machine. Of course then you'll have to activate Windows, but provided that the product key is not used anymore in another computer you should be able to do so, at least by phone.

reddwarf4ever said:

i am installing it on a W10 pro PC
I am following the tutorial....but when installing an OS the option to install from a CD /DVD was not there, so I am creating an ISO image of my XP pro diskAttachment 41743
also at this stage there is no network connection showing only the option to. create one, although I did this in an earlier stepAttachment 41744

Well, I can see in the first photo that you can either select ISO or physical CD/DVD drive. If you already have the DVD-ROM, select the physical drive and put the disk in. In the second photo (network) select LAN to use your wired connection or WLAN to use your WiFi. Upon loading the disk in the drive or the ISO and you boot the virtual machine, it will behave like a typical PC and examine the hard disk. Since no OS is there yet it will boot from DVD. The rest is like installing to a normal PC. If there are files from a failed attempt to install Windows, you will see the familiar message Press any key to boot from DVD. Do that before the time expires and you will start Windows Setup. After Setup is complete, have a look at the menus of Hyper-V. There should be an option to install tools or additions. This will essentially put a special ISO in the virtual drive with all the drivers and other tools. Proceed with the installation.

If you have further problems, post again.

Sorry but I currently have VMWare installed which I won't be able to use if I enable Hyper-V from the features. I will have to disable it again in order to use VMWare. However, if you have any issues I could do it for you. The better is to describe your problem or provide screenshots in case we can help without activating Hyper-V.

reddwarf4ever said:

followed everything but at step 4,11 I get told " no operating system was loaded "
dont know what I have done wrong...did up to step4,6 then 4,7 to 4,9 then 5,3 to 5,6 then went to 4,10.....

I no operating system can be found with your ISO, then it isn't bootable. Try a real Windows DVD if you have.

Have a look at this guide by How-to-Geek

Yes, the Procedure is the same for all OS. What changes is the amount or RAM, the size of virtual hard disk and some other minor parameters. XP can work with at least 512MB RAM but it will be rather slow, while Vista and later need at least 1GB, 2GB is better. In VMWare to delete a virtual machine, you first delete it from the machines list (the one in the main window where you chose which one to load). Then you find the folder containing the virtual machine data (usually in My Documents, Virtual Machines) and delete it from there as well to free your hard disk space. The process must be similar for Hyper-V.