Windows 7 & 16-bit

Will Windows 7 Professional 32-bit run 16-bit DOS programmes?

I have the 64-bit OS installed but it will only run 16-bit apps under XP emulation. I notice that my retail Windows 7 box includes a DVD of the 32-bit OS.

Another option is to run a virtual pc with Windows XP, and install the program there. That way you can keep your 64-bit installation.

And another option is to use Dos Box. I used it on my brother in law's 64bit installation to run Turbo C.

DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS

Will Win 7 run DOS programs - Microsoft Answers

Windows 7 32 or 64bit is not based on DOS so you will need XP VM or DOS emulator.
As posted at MS at above link.

Lemur said:

Another option is to run a virtual pc with Windows XP, and install the program there. That way you can keep your 64-bit installation.

I have that system already. That means I would have to start the VM every time I wanted to use Q-Edit or LIST.COM. Not at all practical. There is nothing available in Windows (natively) which can equal the versatility of these two programmes.

There's also a problem with accessing the soundcard. As the VM soundcard is a virtual one, it cannot take external input. To do that I have to plug in a USB soundcard.

Frankly I can't see that a 64-bit system has any advantage over a 32-bit one anyway.

ignatzatsonic said:

Cheemag said:

Will Windows 7 Professional 32-bit run 16-bit DOS programmes?

I have the 64-bit OS installed but it will only run 16-bit apps under XP emulation. I notice that my retail Windows 7 box includes a DVD of the 32-bit OS.

As far as I know, 32-bit has no problems with 16-bit programs, so you could go back to 32-bit. The same Product Key works with either disc.

I may do that as this 64-bit install is totally unable to support wireless networking among other things. It's probably been damaged at some time.

DeaconFrost said:

If it was me, I'd keep Windows 7 x64, and upgrade to 8 GB of memory, since memory is dirt cheap. Then I'd run VirtualBox or some other VM app and have Windows XP running inside it to handle all of my old legacy apps and old games. You could easily give 2 GB of memory to the VM and not notice any slow downs or performance hits on the host system.

This way, you get the best of both worlds.

I have that already in 4GB, but not practical for the reasons I gave to Lemur, particularly access to the host machine's peripherals.

Many VM experts say you cannot access the host machine's hardware - not true, but it's too cumbersome for me.

Cheemag said:

Frankly I can't see that a 64-bit system has any advantage over a 32-bit one anyway.

And that's certainly your call.

As for one of the advantages of 64-bit...

You will be able to take advantage of all your memory, which you won't with 32-bit.