Can you use 32-bit programs on 64-bit Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and the latest Windows 11? How to get 32-bit programs to run on a 64-bit system? let’s see.

1. Title: [4 Ways] How to Run 32 Bit Programs on 64 Bit Windows10/11?
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Description: Can you use 32-bit programs on 64-bit Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and the latest Windows
11? How to get 32-bit programs to run on a 64-bit system? let’s see.
URL: https://www.minitool.com/news/run-32-bit-programs-on-64-bit-windows.html
Summary: This article ideated by MiniTool official web page answers the question “do 32-bit
programs work on 64-bit Windows system” and tells you how to run 32-bit programs on a 64-bit
Windows operating system (OS).
About 32 Bit Programs and 64 Bit Widows
Usually,a 32-bitprogram isdesignedfor32-bitWindows andalsofor64-bit systems.Yet,a 64-bit
program is only developedtorunon 64-bitWindows. A 32-bit can run ona 64-bitWindowswithout
accessingall the featuresandmemorythata 64-bit can offer.
Can I Run 32-Bit Programs on a 64-Bit Computer?
In general,youcansurelyrun32-bit software ona 64 bit PC.All 64 bitsystems are compatible with
32-bit programs relyingon WOW64, whichisthe x86 emulatorthatenables32-bitWindows-based
programsto run seamlesslyon64-bitWindows.Italsoallowsfor32-bit(x86) Windowsappstorun
seamlesslyin64-bit(x64) Windowsandfor32-bit (x86) and 32-bit (ARM) Windowsappsto run
seamlesslyin64-bit(ARM) Windows.
Alsoread:What Is the Difference Between32Bit and 64 Bit(x86 vs x64)?

2. WOW64 isembeddedinthe operatingsystemandthere isnoneedtoenable itexplicitly.Itisolates
32-bit software from64-bitprograms,whichincludespreventingfile andregistrycollisions.Console,
GUI, as well asservice appsare supported. The 32-bitFile systemisstoredasProgramFiles(x86).In
thisway,Windowscan identifya32-bitapp and provide the accurate .dll file dependinguponit.
Windowsoffersinteroperabilityacrossthe 32/64 boundaryforscenarioslike cutand paste and
COM. Yet,32-bit processescan’tload64-bit DLLs for executionand64-bitprocessescannotload32-
bitDLLs forexecution.However,thisrestrictiondoesn’tapplytoDLLs loadedasdata filesorimage
resource files.
A 32-bitprogram can detectwhetheritisrunningunderWOW64 by callingthe IsWow64Process
function (use IsWow64Process2if targetingWin10).The appcan obtainadditional infoaboutthe
processorrelyingonthe GetNativeSystemInfoutility.
WithWOW64, youcan run 16-bitprograms on32-bit Windowsof the same principle.Yet, 64-bit
doesn’tsupport running16-bitWindows-basedprogramsbecause handleshave 32significantbits
on 64-bitWindows.So,handlescan’tbe truncatedandpassedto 16-bit appswithoutlossof data.
The launch of a 16-bit program on a 64-bit systemwill failwith thiserror:
ERROR_BAD_EXE_FORMAT.
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/this-app-cannot-run-on-pc.html
How to Run 32 Bit Programs on 64 Bit Windows 11/10?
There are several waystoachieve the aimof running 32 bit programson 64 bitWindows.
#1 Directly Install 32-Bit App on 64-Bit System with WOW64
Generally,the processtorun32-bit applicationson a64-bit computerissimilartorunningthemona
32-bit machine.
Firstly,install the target32-bittool on your64-bit computer. Youmay rely on software installation
CD/DVD.However,if youdownloaditonline,itmayautomatically detectyoursystemconditionand
recommendthe corresponding64-bitprogramforyou. If youencounterthissituation,justinsist on
choosingthe 32-bitversion.The processof installinga32-bit programon a 64-bit PC isthe same as
installingitona 32-bitcomputer.
Secondly,double-clickonthe shortcutof the installed32-bitsoftware toopenit.Or,you can right-
clickon itand selectOpen.If youcan’t finda shortcuton yourdesktop,just lookforthe program in
the All Programslistafterclickingonthe Start Menu.
#2 Run 32-Bit Programs on 64-Bit PC by Virtual Box
You can alsorun a 32-bitapplicationwithinavirtual box orvirtual machine (VMWare) thatis
installedonyour64-bitmachine. Thiswill indirectlyachieve yourpurpose.
#3 Let 32-Bit Software Work on 64-Bit Computer in XP Mode
XP Mode is a feature of Windows7Professional,Enterprise,andUltimate thatpermitsyoutorun
the more popularat the time Windows XPona Virtual machine.
#4 Dual-Run 32-Bit Apps on 64-Bit Windows
Finally,youare able torun the 32-bit toolsonthe 64-bitOS if you dual bootyour computerwith
both64-bit and 32-bit systemsandinstall 32-bitprogramsonthe 32-bit system.
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/upgrade-32-bit-to-64-bit.html

3. Can’t Install 32-bit Program on 64-bit Windows?
If you fail toinstall your32-bitsoftware onyour 64-bit system, trythe following solution.
1. OpenWindowsControl Panel.
2. SelectPrograms and Features.
3. Click Turn Windowsfeatureson or off inthe leftpanel.
4. In the newpopup, findandcheck InternetInformation Services.
5. Finally,click OKto save the change and waitfor Windowstocomplete the requestchanges.
Alt=turnon Internetinformationservices
6. Searchand openthe InternetInformation Services.
7. In the pop-upwindow, unfoldthe DESKTOPoptioninthe leftmenu.
8. Then,clickon the ApplicationPoolssub-option.
9. Right-clickonthe DefaultApplicationTool optionandchoose AdvancedSettings inthe right
area.

4. Alt=selectadvancedsettingsof the defaultapppool
10. In the AdvancedSettingswindow,underthe General section,clickonthe dropdownbehind
Enable 32-Bit Applicationsoptionandselect True.
11. Click OK to save the setting.

5. Alt=enable 32-bitapplications
Now,try to install the 32-bittool onyour 64-bitWindows10 or Windows11 again.
Related FAQ
How to run 64-bit programs on 32-bit Window?
Usually,youcan’tdirectly runa 64-bitprogram on a 32-bit systemfora 32-bit systemcan’tprovide
the necessaryresourcesandRAMa 64-bit apprequires. Yet,youcan use virtual machinestoruna
64-bit appon a 32-bitsystem.
Do 32 Bit Programs Run Fasteron 64 Bit Windows?
It’shard to answer.Sometimes,32-bitappsrunfaster.Sometimes,theyrunslower.There are many
competingfactorsaffectingthe performance.So,we can’tensure thata 32-bitprogram alwaysruns
fasteron a 64-bit systemthanon a 32-bit system.
How to run 16-bit programs on 64-bit Windows?
Generally,youcan’trun16-bit appson a 64-bit systemevenwithWOW64.Yet, some geekshave
shownitis possible torelyonthird-party16-bitemulators. Seeanexamplehere >>

6. How to check a program is 16-bit or not?
Justright-clickonthe target programand select Properties.Inthe Propertieswindow,check tosee
whetherthere is aVersionor PreviousVersions tab or not. If there is,then,the programisn’ta 16-
bitone but 32-bit or 64-bit.Otherwise,itis.
How to run a program in compatibilitymode?
Right-clickonthe appand choose Properties.Inthe Propertieswindow,selectthe Compatibilitytab.
Then,underthe Compatibilitymode,check Run this program incompatibilitymode for andselect
the target Windowssystem.
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