Solved Windows 7 Pro 32-bit vs 64-bit?

[Frank O]

Recently I bought a license for Windows 7 Pro, which I plan to install as a virtual OS. In order to minimize security issues, it will not have internet access. I'll be taking files to/from it on a thumb drive.

The license allows me to install it in either 32-bit or 64-bit version. I'm trying to figure out which might be more useful to have. I already have Windows XP 32-bit set up as a virtual OS, so I don't need Windows 7 to do XP mode (which I hear is tough to set up these days anyway). I also have DOS 5, Windows 10 64-bit, and Windows 11 64-bit.

Between all of those versions, is there a niche that Windows 7 can fill in terms of backwards compatibility with certain software or whatever? If so, is either 32-bit or 64-bit the better way to go? Or do my other Windows versions already pretty much have the waterfront covered? Thanks --

 

[torchwood]

Hi

As your staying OFFLINE IN REALLITY you do not need a licence.

even during the grace period, (first 30 days) you can update.... use the simplex pack see link

The 64 bit W7 setup utilizes both 32/64 bit program options therefor your best bet



Update your Win 7 installation media

 

[Bree]

...I already have Windows XP 32-bit set up as a virtual OS, so I don't need Windows 7 to do XP mode (which I hear is tough to set up these days anyway). I also have DOS 5, Windows 10 64-bit, and Windows 11 64-bit.

Between all of those versions, is there a niche that Windows 7 can fill in terms of backwards compatibility with certain software or whatever? If so, is either 32-bit or 64-bit the better way to go? Or do my other Windows versions already pretty much have the waterfront covered? Thanks --

About the only compelling reason to choose 32 bit over 64 bit would be if you had older 16 bit software you needed to run. But you have XP for that, and any software that old probably pre-dates XP, so should run in XP.

Another reason could be if you are short on space. A 32 bit version of any OS should have a smaller footprint than the 64 bit one. I have a VM running Windows 8.1 so that I can answer questions specifically about W8/8.1. I only run it up occasionally. I chose the 32 bit version just so that it wouldn't waste too much of my storage space.

 

[Frank O]

Thanks for both of the responses. Storage capacity isn't an issue, so it sounds like Win 7 Pro 64-bit is what I'll be installing.

 

[Megahertz07]

For the updates use Simplix. Very good.

 

[Frank O]

I just tried installing the .iso file provided by the Microsoft reseller I bought the license from. I get an error, ""A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now." There's no way to move past that. It appears from searches that the most common cause of this error is a corrupt .iso file.

I can go back and ask the reseller, but is there a trustable source for a Win 7 Pro 64-bit .iso file? The links I found for microsoft.com all pointed to statements saying that support for Windows 7 had ended.

 

[SIW2]

If you are installing from usb stick , that message could be missing usb3 driver in the installation media

 

[Frank O]

If you are installing from usb stick

Actually installing in a virtual box, from an .iso file on the same machine. Has worked great recently with Win 10 and XP, just seeing this error with 7.

 

[SIW2]

usually indicates setup.exe cant find sources\install.wim and associated files

it is asking for a driver because it assumes the appropriate sources folder and contents is on the root of storage media it can't see, which requires a driver.

can also happen if it doesnt recognize install.wim or the associated setup files as matching.

It is why I have usb3 and nvme drivers integrated into boot.wim as well as both sets of setup files





it is also posible in your that case there is some corruption which prevents setup.exe from finding what it wants.

 

[Frank O]

Thanks for the suggestions. The reseller appears to think that instead of installing the .iso file from a directory on the VM host computer's internal SSD, I need to burn it on a usb thumb drive or a blank DVD. Will give that a shot.

 

[MisterEd]

Are you sure your Windows 7 ISO is good? I had no problem installing Windows 7 Pro 64-bit from an ISO in VirtualBox.

Windows 7 Professional SP1 (32 bit and 64 bit ISOs)
Windows 7 Professional SP1 (32 bit and 64 bit ISOs) : Microsoft Corporation : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

32-bit: GSP1RMCPRXFRER_EN_DVD.ISO (2.4 GB)
64-bit: GSP1RMCPRXFRER_EN_DVD.ISO (3.1 GB)

 

[Frank O]

For the updates use Simplix. Very good.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I got my issues sorted out, and Win 7 Pro 64-bit is now installed and activated. It wasn't until later that I noticed the version installed is SP1. Will Simplix take care of SP1 -> SP3 in addition to whatever other updates it installs? I see under Control Panel > System, below "Service Pack 1," there's a hyperlink that says "Get more features with a new edition of Windows 7." I wasn't sure if clicking on that would be a good way to proceed. Definitely would want to skip telemetry/tracking.

 

[SIW2]

there is no sp2 or sp3. They stopped doing service packs after sp1. Win10 and 11 dont have sp , they are no more. Just updates.

 

[Frank O]

there is no sp2 or sp3.

Oops on that. Must’ve had XP on the brain. Thanks for the clarification.