32 bit or 64 bit

Hi guys, I have 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium with my HP DM3z with the specs in the sig.

I want to downgrade to 32-bit because some of my 16-bit software that I use doesn't work on 64-bit and I never use 64-bit software anyways.

Will this in anyway make my computer slower or anything besides the ~600mbs of memory I lose? The thing I worry most about it is the drivers that may not be optimized for 32-bit, seeing as this computer came with a 64-bit OS.

Should I just suck it up and keep 64-bit W7?

 

The 32-bit world isn't exactly going extinct next week, so I doubt the drivers (if HP offers them) are any less optimized.

But really, get VirtualBox and a cheap copy of XP or something and run that ancient stuff in a VM. Use the memory you paid for.

 

64bit is the new way to go now, best of all u can utilize more than 3gb of memory

 

What 16-bit software do you run? I'd look and see if there are any newer programs out there that can accomplish the same tasks.

If not, I'd try to run a 32-bit Windows in a virtual machine. You can get virtualization software for free, however, you will need to get another licensed copy of Windows if you don't already have one.

 

Windows 7 Pro/Enterprise/Ultimate comes with XP Mode which allows you to run 16-bit application.
You can get it here for free: Download Windows XP Mode (full pre-activated XP Pro license is included).

Are you sure they are 16-bit programs though? They might just not like Win7, and you can use several tricks to make them work:
1- See for a patch or update of the program in question
2- Right-click on the executable file or shortcut, and select Properties, from there a panel will appear. On that panel, go to Compatibility tab and here you pick a Windows environment to "simulate".
3- Run the program as true admin (Right-click on executable or shortcut, and select "Run As Administrator".
4- If the program is installed in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86), go to that folder, and set the folder permission to full access by anyone. Old XP programs used to write on files where the program is installed instead, which leads the program to have problems when it can't.

 

You most likely won't notice anything.

 

My guess is the drivers might be better for 32Bit compared to 64Bit determining on how old/new your hardware is.

Speedwise - some people claim 64Bit is a tad faster - other claim it's the same... unless you use 64Bit software there isn't any gain that I am aware of in 64Bit - and if you need to use 16Bit software then by all means go for a 32Bit OS.

 

From his signature, it looks like the OP has home premium, so this sadly won't work.