Can you install a 32 bit Windows 7 pro upgrade on Home Premium 64 bit

[Donohuefan]

We are getting a new Dell Vosrto 230 desktop computer. Our only options were with 64 bit versions of Windows 7 (like all manufacturers now). I know I will have problems with some older programs like Photoshop CS2, and want to install the 32 bit version that will come in the Professional upgrade that we plan to upgrade to. Since we will never increase the memory to the level of needing the Windows 7 64 bit, I am certain that the 32 bit version is much better fro us.

My questions is can we install the 32 bit version from the Professional upgrade in place of the 64 bit Home Premium with comes preinstalled? I would do this from the very beginning, so we wouldn't have installed any of our software yet, I don't think there is any bloatware form Dell that we will want. I will make the recovery copies of the 64 bit OS first, and then hopefully upgrade to the 32 bit Professional. Things are "tight", and hopefully will not have to purchase a full version of Professional.

 

[theog]

Clean in install only:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?ltr=C

But you could upgrade to Pro & use XP mode for older app's
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8247-windows-xp-mode-install-setup.html?ltr=W

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
Anytime upgrade only adds-on the Programs & Features from version to version.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/95744-windows-anytime-upgrade-how.html

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Donohuefan, welcome to Seven Forums



The Windows 7 activation key, that comes on the COA sticker attached to a factory built PC is Windows version specific not bit-rate specific, if you get H Prem or Pro the key will activate either 32-bit or 64-bit all you will need is the installation DVD to do a clean install of the 32-bit Windows, have a look at the information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

You don't need to purchase an upgrade to do a clean install of the version the PC shipped with.

If you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

 

[gregrocker]

You have it pretty well thought out. Just make sure you really need the extra Pro features which most users don't. Compare Windows - Microsoft Windows

If you don't you can use any retail Win7 32 bit installer to clean reinstall.

Here are tips for getting a perfect factory OEM reinstall, based on hundreds done here: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[Donohuefan]

First, thank you everyone for your quick and very helpful responses. We probably have a week or so until it arrives, so I can check into all of these options very thoroughly.

Since I will only be able to make recovery disks from this computer, it sounds like I will probably have to purchase some sort of additional software in way of Home Premium which will come installed on it (and have a key code included in the from of a sticker on the machine) or the Professional Upgrade (it sounds like the Dell recover files will only only have the 64 bit OS version) . Will running the 32 bit version of Professional be any different than running the XP mode that it will allow running? I might have 2 options with the Professional Upgrade that would cover all of my possible software and hardware issues that I might encounter (32 bit OS and the XP mode). My main thing is I really don't need the 64 bit OS for any of my current or foreseeable needs.

Thanks again for all of your patient help. I'm not totally unfamiliar with software, but certainly not as up-to-date or and experienced as you all are. Things simple and commonplace to you can be a bit of a challenge for me.

 

[gregrocker]

If Win7 comes preinstalled on the computer, then it must have a COA sticker with a Product Key to show it's authenticity. That Product Key can be used for either 32- or 64-bit for your version which will easily web-activate in MS servers.

You can use any retail installer (unlocking all versions if necessary) to clean reinstall if you want to install 32 bit or avoid the factory bloatware which is larded on the Recovery Disks. Borrow one from a friend, or if you download from the web be sure to get SP1 included and check it against official Win7 SP1 HASH found at Technet Downloads details to make sure nothing has been added, then scan with your AV and Malwarebytes .

I would try installing any XP programs which balk using Compatibility Mode as most can be made to run in Win7. We can help. If any programs won't work you can try freeware in Home Premium like VMWare, Virtual Player or Virtual Box before spending the extra money to get comparable XP Mode in Professional which you may not need.

 

[Donohuefan]

Greg,

Thanks again for your input. I don't have anyone I know of with a copy on disk, and I'm really afraid of a novice like myself finding a non-infected copy online (also, never tried to do that). I think it really stinks that the norm is now days to only ship a recovery copy on your computer, but that is way every manufacturer seems to do it. I wonder if I begged/pestered Dell, would I be able to a physical disk from them (even if I had to pay a nominal fee), and would it be the 32/64 bit version all of the other retail products include? The preinstalled Home Premium might be enough, but having the XP mode option from Professional might come in handy some time (it is the only thing that looks like I would need/use that is added when upgrading to the Professional version). I wonder if I bought just OEM copy of Home Premium, and installed the 32-bit version, if that would do pretty much the same thing as running the XP mode with the professional upgrade?

I choose to not have the Professional preinstalled by Dell for $70, when I can get a retail Professional Upgrade boxed set from Walmart for about $80 including tax. This way I figured I would have physical discs (with both 32 and 64 bit versions) which I hopefully could do (if necessary) a OS reinstall only(not affecting other software), but is this only possible with a full version.? It looks like from the help people have provided above on this topic, that with the upgrade discs I could do it.

 

[gregrocker]

It wouldn't hurt to ask Dell for a clean Installation DVD for both 32- and 64-. Let us know what they say.

As stated the freeware to virtualize XP in HP is just as good as XP mode in Pro, if it comes to that after trying Compat Modes.

MS wants users to upgrade within Win7 using Anytime Upgrade which is just a simple unlocking process. You can also use a Win7 upgrade key to do this, but it would unlock the 64 bit, so if you need 32 bit you'll have to reinstall anyway.

 

[theog]

YES,
You can Order Dell recovery disks from here:
Dell - Support

Yes, you can do a reinstall with upgrade disks.

 

[strollin]

Here's a link that may help you get Photo Shop CS2 installed on 64-bit Win 7 HP: Windows 7 is not compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS2 - Microsoft Answers Note: Haven't tried it myself so can't vouch for it.

I would try to avoid the need to upgrade to Pro just to get XP mode.

 

[Donohuefan]

Wow, certainly a lot of help from people on a Sunday evening!

Og, Thanks for the Dell info. It looks like it wouldn't benefit me to go this route, if they are only exactly what I could get from my generating my own recovery disks. I wonder if Dell has any other options if I got "Tech Support" involved?

Strollin, I stumbled across that link last night, and it was good to know I had a way to use my CS2 if I couldn't "downgrade" to a 32-bit version.

I am certainly getting more confident that I will be able to get our new system running smoothly when it arrives. Here are "thank you's" for everyone whose has helped me so far....

To the best of my knowledge, I got everything "message sharing" related checked/allowed. I have Vcard allowed and "enable visitor messaging". I just added you personally as a friend to my contact list. Is there something I am missing?

I've tried EVERY possible button in the CP menus, and just don't see anything else I can choose. I don't even see a Messaging & Notification option on my CP. I took a "snapshot" of it, hopefully I can post that here. I only took a photo of the middle of the CP menu option, under the Setting & Options since that is were you told me to look for it.