do 64 bit drivers work for 32 bit windows


  1. Posts : 13
    windows 7 ultimate service pack 1 , 32bit
       #1

    do 64 bit drivers work for 32 bit windows


    i have a hp laptop which had windows 7 64 BIT , then i planned to reinstall windows
    so i used two different driver backup programs (driver magician and driver genius) , and i completely backed up the drivers
    then i formatted the system partition and performed a clean windows installation , but this time i installed a 32 BIT version , and when i tried to restore the drivers from the backup program itself nothing was restored , and when i tried using windows device manager to restore them it kept saying that the driver program is already up to date (although these driver programs weren't installed at all)
    is this problem because i installed a 32bit windows or that's something else !!!!!!!!!!! , please help me
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,371
    W10 Pro desktop, W11 laptop, W11 Pro tablet (all 64-bit)
       #2

    64-bit drivers won't work with a 32-bit system. I have never used those driver backup programs so can't comment on the issues you are having with them.

    I recommend that you go to the mfrs website of the motherboard and whatever other devices you require drivers for, and download the correct 32-bit drivers from there and install them.
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    As said before, 64-bit drivers are not compatible with 32-bit operating systems, visit your model or motherboard support page and then download the drivers from there.

    I never trust or use third-party programs which claim to update drivers or back up drivers.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #4

    Essam Tarik said:
    i have a hp laptop which had windows 7 64 BIT , then i planned to reinstall windows
    so i used two different driver backup programs (driver magician and driver genius) , and i completely backed up the drivers
    then i formatted the system partition and performed a clean windows installation , but this time i installed a 32 BIT version , and when i tried to restore the drivers from the backup program itself nothing was restored , and when i tried using windows device manager to restore them it kept saying that the driver program is already up to date (although these driver programs weren't installed at all)
    is this problem because i installed a 32bit windows or that's something else !!!!!!!!!!! , please help me
    Post screenshot of device manager output please. Please expand all branches with yellow exclamation marks.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #5

    32 bit OS - 32 bit drivers
    64 bit OS - 64 bit drivers

    No exceptions.

    The difference between a 32 and 64 bit OS is not just 32 bits. Internally they are very different.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 13
    windows 7 ultimate service pack 1 , 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    i used this software for thousand times before and it worked just fine
    i guess i'll just reinstall windows (64 bit) version this time and see if the problem's solved
    thanks for the help guys :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
       #7

    You can actually keep using the 32-bit version of Windows, installing the drivers manually from the motherboard manufacturer's website won't be hard. You only need the brand and model of the mobo and you are ready to install the drivers from the website. Apparently, you have 4GB RAM so it'd be a wiser decision to go for the 32-bit version of WinOS.
      My Computer


 

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