Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit Dual boot

I had Windows XP and Windows 7 32-bit dual boot set up on my system. I decided to do away with XP and install Windows 7 64-bit instead. But I can't fully migrate to 64-bit yet as some of my old softwares don't run in 64-bit.

So I clean-installed Windows 7 64-bit after formatting the XP partition. But now I no longer get a boot menu to boot into Windows 7 32-bit. I can only boot into 64-bit. But the 32-bit partition is in tact. Is there any way I can get a boot menu with options to use both 32-bit and 64-bit versions?

Thanks.

Use EasyBCD 2.0 in Win 7.
Download EasyBCD 2.0.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

How to use EasyBCD
Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

HonorGamer said:

I believe the system is only recognizing that there is a windows 7 install. You should also be able to install your old software even though it is not a 64 bit program, 64bit windows supports 32bit programs. Or so i believe.

I think I have previously heard that Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit can be used in a dual-boot set up. But I'm really not an expert in advanced boot options, so I think my procedure wasn't right. I wanted to know if there is somehow a way to recover my 32-bit setup, because that partition has not been touched.

Yes I know most 32-bit software will run in 64-bit Windows. But as I have mentioned I have to run a couple of really old specialized software which just cannot run in 64-bit Windows.

theog said:

Use EasyBCD 2.0 in Win 7.
Download EasyBCD 2.0.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

How to use EasyBCD
Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Yes I have looked at those tutorials. But they all mention how to dual boot after doing a new installation of Windows. But I have Windows 7 32 bit and 64-bit installed in separate partitions. Can I get a boot menu without re-installing Windows (or at least without wiping out my 32-bit setup)?

pezzonovante said:

theog said:

Use EasyBCD 2.0 in Win 7.
Download EasyBCD 2.0.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

How to use EasyBCD
Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Yes I have looked at those tutorials. But they all mention how to dual boot after doing a new installation of Windows. But I have Windows 7 32 bit and 64-bit installed in separate partitions. Can I get a boot menu without re-installing Windows (or at least without wiping out my 32-bit setup)?

Yes,Use EasyBCD 2.0 in the Windows 7 that boots.

theog said:

Yes,Use EasyBCD 2.0 in the Windows 7 that boots.

Ok, thank you. This is what I was looking for. Will try it out.

Just curious, but why would you want to install the same OS twice, using up two licenses? If it is for software compatibility....just do research on the apps. Windows 7 has been out for 18 months now, you'll be able to easily find the info you want quickly.

DeaconFrost said:

Just curious, but why would you want to install the same OS twice, using up two licenses? If it is for software compatibility....just do research on the apps. Windows 7 has been out for 18 months now, you'll be able to easily find the info you want quickly.

HonorGamer said:

He makes a good point. Wouldn't it be easier to just keep using the 32bit version of windows? Even though you can't run 64bit programs, but i am sure they would have 32bit versions.

When I bought the laptop I had 2 GB RAM. But since then I upgraded to 4 GB RAM. But Windows 7 32-bit could only use 3 GB, so I decided to use 64-bit for most tasks. But unfortunately I can't switch to 64-bit completely, because I have to use a couple of very old softwares which haven't been upgraded for 64-bit versions. And they are almost one of a kind, so alternatives are not available either.