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Downgrade from Win10 64-bit to 32-bit version?

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  • 08-04-2023 7:24pm
    #1
    peking97
    Registered Users Posts: 854 ✭✭✭


    I recently bought a refurbished desktop from a trusted source who claim they are a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher.

    It came with Win 10 Pro 64-bit version pre-installed but sadly no re-installation media was included.

    Would it be legally permissible for me to downgrade to the 32-bit version, or even Win 7/8 if I wished?



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    #2
    smuggler.ie
    Registered Users Posts: 4,083 ✭✭✭smuggler.ie


    license permits 32 or 64

    Be aware that you might need to re-activate your Win, depend how it was installed/activated on your PC - ensure you have lic available/tied to your MS account

    That would require "fresh install" , there is no direct downgrade path. Installation media is publicly available from MS official site , tool here. I think Win 7 and 8 no longer available from MS as no longer supported.


    If don't mind - Why would you need 32 ?

    history of boards 2021




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    #3
    peking97
    Registered Users Posts: 854 ✭✭✭peking97


    It's just I have some legacy games which require NTVDM which is packaged with the 32-bit version but not the 64-bit version.



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    #4
    WhimsicalJape
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭WhimsicalJape


    I think a better solution would be to find the necessary 16-bit patches for your older software. I've done this myself with a few older DOS/Win95 games. Alternatively you could set up a 32-bit Windows 10/11 virtual machine. You can use it without activation but you lose out on customisation, which isn't that big of a deal IMO.



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