Windows 7 - Want a 32 bit OS

I want to buy a new computer and all of the computers I am seeing are 64 bit OS. Some of my software only works with 32 bit. If I buy a computer with Windows 7 home premium 1) is that 64 bit and 2) if it is, can I change it to 32 bit? Else can I load my old windows XP onto the new machine?

Almost all 32 bit software runs just fine on 64bit Windows. It's just the 16bit software that causes a real issue.

forgot software that uses drivers (antivirus etc) because 32bit drivers dont work with 64bit os.
so there is more 32bit only software than one can think but its usually has very specific use so not that many people use it..

Most 32 bit software runs fine with 64 bit 7, unless you're installing a game that was built for 32/64 bit Xp, sometimes that doesn't work with 7. The real issue are 32 bit drivers in 64 bit 7, that is a pickle!

I have a 32 bit printer that should work with 64 bit Windows 7 since it was compatible with 64 bit vista, but Microsoft says the printer doesn't fly with 64 bit 7 but Dell doesn't have anything updated for that printer up to vista. I ended up having to install a 32 bit virtual machine just to use it.

I'd so go for 64 bit Windows since it feels more smoother performance wise. Installer packages decompress and install much faster, boot times are slightly faster, and it's actually a little more secure than 32 bit. Also, after Windows 8 comes out next year, it basically marks the end of the 32 bit computing era...

Welcome to SevenForums.

Your 32 bit software will work fine.

You can not change from 64 bit to 32 bit. You can install 32 bit. My experience has been that 64 bit will give you better performance.

Having played with running xp programs in both Virtual PC and Virtual Mode, and being able to drag and drop between the XP and Win 7 then I can say such is possible. However, my recommendation is to forget the old xp programs which will not be taking advantage of your 64 bit os.

Others will probably chime in with their experiences and recommendations. Listen to all and make your decision. Try to listen to those who have been there and done that rather than the arm-chair experts.

If you buy a computer pre-installed with Windows 7, it's up to the manufacturer if it will be 32-bit or 64-bit. You need to check the specs. If it's a 64-bit machine, the manufacturer will have also optimized everything on the machine to just plain work. Audio drivers, graphics drivers, etc will all be 64-bit compatible.

Most manufacturers no longer include actual full install CDs or DVDs with their machines. (If you buy your own full install media you'd get both 32-bit and 64-bit discs and you could use the same product key for either one as long as you only had one installed at a time.) You may receive a recovery disc that would return your machine to factory specs but that's not the same as a full install disc. Or, more likely, there will be a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive that would do the same thing (return the machine to factory specs.) You'd also receive instructions on how to create your own recovery media from that hidden recovery partition.

So to answer your second question, if you buy a 64-bit machine can you change it to a 32-bit, yes. But since the machine was factory optimized for 64-bit you could run into compatibility issues particularly with drivers. If it helps put your mind at ease, I went from 32-bit Windows XP to 64-bit Windows 7. All of my old programs, apps, printer, scanner, etc work just fine. And if you buy a new machine chances are it will either have 4GB RAM or be upgradeable to 4GB or more. The only way to make full use of that RAM is with a 64-bit system.

Everything will run just fine on a 64-bit Operating System. Your 32-bit programs will be installed in "Program Files x86" which will run all the old programs in 32-bit compatibility mode, trust me. I have a lot of 32-bit stuff running on my machine, heck, even this Firefox is 32-bit software.
All I'm saying is that going 64-bit is the best choice to make theses days, and all your 32-bit applications will work just fine.

All modern antivirus software are Windows 7 Certified, all of them support x64 have have native 64-bit drivers. Your argument fails. 99% of all 32-bit programs work in a 64-bit OS, who would still use that old obsolete 32-bit OS?
Windows 7 64-bit is used by a large majority of high end users.

I just know that the software I am using works fine on my 32 bit windows 7, but not on my friend's 64 bit Windows premium. So The question is whether I can install the Windows XP that I have from 2003 on a new computer. The computer I am looking at is an Acer Altheron II 2X.

I could also buy 32 bit windows 7 witht he new computer, but I just need to know if it will work or not.