vistax64 to win7x64 to win7x32

I have a new PC Acer m3300 (with an AMD 64 bit processor - Phenom II) for my father-in-law. It came with vistax64 home premium which is installed by hitting alt-f10 after powerup. Acer are offering a windows 7 upgrade option here - Windows® 7 Upgrade Offer for which we are eligible.

There is an faq on the site but it doesn't answer my question. It says you can't upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit but doesn;t mention the reverse.

Some apps we have won't run on windows 7 64bit (according to the s/w manufacturers), and therefore what we'd like to end up with is Windows 7 32 bit on the machine.

From what I've read on the net 64 bit and 32 bit installs of win7 are separate disks. (Thats not an issue as there are plenty of places where you can get the windows 7 software). However what we need to know is if we can use the upgrade key that Acer will provide to ultimatley get to a windows7 x32 system.

Its kinda like an upgrade from vist 64 to windows7 but a downgrade from windows 7x64 to windows 7x32 ??

Grateful for any help

andyp said:

I have a new PC Acer m3300 (with an AMD 64 bit processor - Phenom II) for my father-in-law. It came with vistax64 home premium which is installed by hitting alt-f10 after powerup. Acer are offering a windows 7 upgrade option here - Windows® 7 Upgrade Offer for which we are eligible.

There is an faq on the site but it doesn't answer my question. It says you can't upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit but doesn;t mention the reverse.

Some apps we have won't run on windows 7 64bit (according to the s/w manufacturers), and therefore what we'd like to end up with is Windows 7 32 bit on the machine.

From what I've read on the net 64 bit and 32 bit installs of win7 are separate disks. (Thats not an issue as there are plenty of places where you can get the windows 7 software). However what we need to know is if we can use the upgrade key that Acer will provide to ultimatley get to a windows7 x32 system.

Its kinda like an upgrade from vist 64 to windows7 but a downgrade from windows 7x64 to windows 7x32 ??

Grateful for any help

Andy Hi and welcome

when ever you change form 32>>64, or 64>>32 It has to be a clean install with format.

To be sure ask acer what version (32 or 64, or both) you are getting. I suspect they are going to give yoou an OEM (original equiptment manfacturer) 64 bit disk since you have 64 on the mavhine in vista.

Do you have specific apps that you think wont run on 64?


Let us know if you need help


Ken J+

Most apps I have found will run on Windows 7 x64 even if it doesn't say it will. If it will run on Vista x64 it will run on Windows 7 x64. I would definitely upgrade to Windows 7 x64, because usually when a PC comes with x64 OS it has 4gb or more of RAM. In 32-bit Windows won't read anything more than about 3.5gb. If you install 64-bit and the programs won't run and you absolutely need them, the keys for Windows are interchangeable between 32-bit and 64-bit as long as they are not installed at the same time. I have Windows 7 Ultimate and it came with both 32-bit and 64-bit discs and 1 key and the key works for both. If Acer does this by sending out the discs for you to do the upgrade yourself then they might actually send both versions. I guarantee you will be much happier with 64-bit though. It is faster, smoother and more stable than 32-bit. Whatever you choose I hope your father-in-law is happy, because happy father-in-law = happy wife and happy wife = well you know.lol

Yes andy,

You can use the "64 bit" key with 32 bit install media.