Can you run 32 & 64 bit Win 7 on same computer?

I have a toshiba laptop, with 4 GB of memory and running 32 bit Vista Ultimate. I also have two discs (C & D). I only use D as a place to store full backups.

I understand I can do an upgrade from 32 bit Vista Ultimate to 32 bit Win 7. However, if I want to run 64 bit Win 7 I have to reformat my disc.

I would like to do the in place 32 bit upgrade on drive C. Then reformat drive D and load 64 bit Win 7 on it. I would also need to know how to set this up as a dual boot system.

My plan is to run only one application on the 64 bit system, which is very slow under Vista. All of my other programs and data should work fine with 32 bit Win 7.

Is this possible? If so, can anyone help with suggestions on how to do it?

Thank you,

 

What you want to do is perfectly possible ( i have 4 OS running on 1 PC Vista,windows 7 and 2 X linux)You have Vista 32 on C then all you need to do is boot the pc With the Vista 64 disk in your optical drive and it will ask you where you want to load it, Select you D partition and it will format and load the OS just as normal.
When you boot after you have loaded it you will be able to select which of the 2 OSs that you want to load.

 

Thank you very much for your information. I'm saving your answer and then use it when I get my hands on Win 7.

Dennis D

 

Have you tried the Windows 7 RC to test your idea?

Windows 7 RC's downloads are still available. You can get the release candidate download until August 20, 2009. After that, you won't be able to get the download, but if you have the software, you can still install the RC and get a key if you need one. (Keys will be available till March 2010. To get a key, just go to the Downloads page and follow the instructions.)

Windows 7 info

 

Great idea.

This way I can test it, without buying the upgrade, and insure that is the way I should go.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Dennis D

 

No worries. It did seem like a good idea for you to test the theory first ... and there is still plenty of time to do so before you have to make any decision on buying the 64 bit version (you won't be able to simply "upgrade" to the 64 bit version as I understand it ... and I think you already noted that in your previous post?).

I am running the 64 bit RC version myself on one of my machines and it is very nice!

 

You can't run a 32bit OS and a 64bit OS on the same computer unless you have a 32bit processor and a 64bit processor.
(someone correct me if im wrong)

 

Could you go into more detail about needing both processors. My system is 64 bit capable and is running 32 bit Vista now. I believe it will run 64 bit Win 7. What is the problem with a dual boot 32 and 64 bit system.

Thank you

 

With a 64bit CPU it will run both.
I have 32bit Vista and 64bit Windows 7 running on separate partitions and then on another internal hard drive 32bit and 64 bit linux.
I think where dawg is confused is that you can only boot 1 OS at a time.

 

To sum it up -

If you have a 64bit processor (which most modern proccessors are) you can run either a 32bit or a 64bit operating system.

To run your 32bit O/s and your 64bit O/s you will need either two seperate partitons or two seperate HDD's.

Now once both O/s are installed on their seperate HDD/Partition you can then choose at boot which O/s to boot into.