How to Install 32-Bit Software on 64-bit Windows

Kevin ArrowsUpdated on April 25, 2024
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

It gets trickier for users to choose between the “32-bit” and “64-bit” Architectures that Windows supports. In spite of the fact that 64-bit is much faster and capable of handling more RAM. Some applications still only support the “32-bit” architecture. Newer operating systems do have the option to use 32-bit applications on 64-bit architecture. This is achieved by having two “Program Files Systems” on the same computer.

A comparison of 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems

The 32-bit File system is stored as “Program Files(x86)” this way Windows can identify a 32-bit application and provide the accurate “.dll” file depending upon it.

How to Install 32-bit Software on 64-bit Windows?

In this article, we will guide you with the easiest method to allow the installation of 32-bit programs on 64-bit Windows. In order to achieve this task follow the guide below

  1. Press the “Windows” + “S” keys simultaneously to open Search.
  2. Type in “Control Panel” and click on the first option.
    Clicking on the “Control Panel” option
  3. Click on the “Programs” option and then select “Turn Windows Features ON or OFF” button.
    Clicking on “Programs” inside Control panel
  4. Check the box for “Internet Information Services” and click on “OK“.
    Checking the box for Internet Information Services
  5. Windows will start to enable the features, wait for the process to be completed.
  6. Press the “Windows“+ “S” keys simultaneously to open Search.
  7. Type in “Internet Information Services” and click on the first option.
    Clicking on the “Internet Information Services” option
  8. Double click on the “Desktop” option in the left pane.
    Double-clicking on the “Desktop” option in the left pane
  9. Double click on “Application Pools“.
    Double-clicking on the “Applications Pools” option
  10. Right–click on the “Default Application Pool” option and select “Advanced Settings“.
    Right-clicking on “DefaultAppPools” and selecting “Advanced Settings”
  11. Under the “General” heading, click on the “Enable 32–bit Applications” option and click on the “dropdown” in front of the “False” value.
    Clicking on the “Enable 32-bit Applications” option under the General heading and clicking on the dropdown in front of “False”
  12. Select “True” and click on “OK”.
    Selecting “True” as the Value from the dropdown
  13. Try to install a 32-bit Software and check to see if the issue persists.
Kevin ArrowsUpdated on April 25, 2024
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Comments

26
    CG
    Chewbacka Grizelda May 24, 2020

    I followed these instructions and now the error message says that I can’t install 16-bit applications. I checked the pool for 16-bit options and don’t see any. Is there a way around this?

    Reply
      SW
      Shane Warren Author May 25, 2020

      Execute this command in Command Prompt admin
      FONDUE.exe /enable-feature:NTVDM

      Reply
    DS
    Deidra Sokolsky Jul 7, 2020

    Hello…I followed these instructions however when I double click on “Application Pools” in Step 9, I do not have “DefaultAppPool”. Did I miss something?

    Reply
      SW
      Shane Warren Author Jul 8, 2020

      It should be there. Try following through with the steps again or reboot your computer and try again.

      Reply
    DU
    dustin Jul 8, 2020

    Hello im having this issue with almost any game i try downloading i tried the above instructions still no help,, anything else?

    Reply
      SW
      Shane Warren Author Jul 9, 2020

      Are you getting an error while installing or are the games not launching?

      Reply
    NM
    Naveen Maheshwari Sep 1, 2020

    Hey i tried every step and tried to install 32 bit software but it doesnt open .
    when i opened my task manager it is shown in the background processes but its not showing on display.
    what to do??

    Reply
      MZ
      Muhammad Zubyan Author Sep 5, 2020

      It seems like the software that you are trying to open is malfunctioned or corrupted. Can you try to reinstall the program that you are trying to open? and I highly recommend you to scan your computer for possible threats by using an antivirus.

      Reply
    PE
    Peter Oct 25, 2020

    Why is this necessary? Windows 64 bit already allows 32bit programs to install. I’ve never needed to tweak anything.

    Reply
      MZ
      Muhammad Zubyan Author Oct 26, 2020

      This article is for Windows which comes with most of these options disabled which stop 32-Bit Programs and don’t let users run it. The whole purpose of this article is to re-enable those settings and make 32-Bit programs work on 64-Bit Windows again.

      Reply
        PE
        Peter Oct 26, 2020

        I’ve used every version of Windows and never seen that happen. I would have thought somebody would have to switch it off first, like an admin in an office. It certainly doesn’t do that installing from the DVD.

        Reply
    AG
    Alex Garcia Gomez Nov 11, 2020

    I am using a corporate Toshiba Satellite with Intel core i3, windows 10 64 bit and OFFICE 10 32 bits.
    When i run big excel analysis models (more than a thousand rows and a hundred columns), excel exhaust the whole RAM down to 2GB level, but don’t use free RAM up to 2GB. Then Excel run progressively slowly up to colapse windows and all applications.

    Task manager do not reports CPU use, only RAM use down 2GB. Finally trying to save the excel book office reports it can not save the whole book and it has lost some data (dozens of columns). My corporate service can’t or don’t want to help me.
    Is there any solution apart from install any office 64?

    If have my own LENOVO with OFFICE 365 64bits licensed and run fine with these excel books.

    Thanks in advance
    Alex
    Barcelona Council
    PS: The problem with BCN Council corporate IT service is They have a politicians directive to move these services to OPEN SOURCE but these big models are not supported by LIBREOFFICE CALC.

    Reply
      MZ
      Muhammad Zubyan Author Nov 11, 2020

      That’s really unfortunate. Try doing these steps:-1. Right-click on the file and go to properties then click the option named “Unblock” If you can’t find it don’t worry head over to the next step.
      2. Open Excel click file and go to settings head over to the Advanced tab and then go to the section named “general” find the option “Ignore other options that use DDE” and check that option. Now restart Excel and check if the issue still persists.Also, Why you don’t want to use 64 Bit Version of Office?

      Reply
        AG
        Alex Garcia Gomez Nov 11, 2020

        Thank you Zubyan,Do you believe this is a DDE issue? I will try.
        At home I have my own 64 bits office 365 license, but the corporate MS Office is 2010 32 bits, as I explained. Look at the PS note about politicians and OPEN SOURCE at Barcelona Council, they are fighting against the devil M$.. ;).
        This issue is interesting because w10 do not know that excel need more memory (there is still near 1 GB free when this happens) and then the system don’t provide virtual memory pages to excel.
        As a system engineer with skills on IBM z/OS, linux/unix but currently working in a not IT position, I am wondering if in the future M$ could replicate the ability of IBM mainframe systems to manage virtual memory running a mix of programs of 31bits and 64 bits, and also and why not, to replicate the MVS facilities.

        Reply
          MZ
          Muhammad Zubyan Author Nov 11, 2020

          Yes, I think that DDE will fix this issue. It’s the problem of the program because 32-bit programs have a 2 GB RAM Usage limit that’s why it says you should start using the 64-bit version. In your scenario, however, I personally think that clearing your temporary files and increasing the priority of the process can work as well.

          AG
          Alex Garcia Gomez Nov 11, 2020

          Hi Zubyan,
          CONGRATULATIONS!
          After checking this option of ignore someting of DDE from Excel, I can not open excel files making double click on File Explorer, Excel answer there is s problem when sending the command to the program, bu open directly from Excel file menu I can open 10 (or more ) big excel books, that previously woukd have locked all alone, without locking the system and the user interface.
          It will be very funny to report to the third level of user support service that an external expert has been able to solve the issue without changing Office, where They didn’t.
          Regards
          Alex

    PA
    patriotsongs Jan 17, 2021

    I followed the procedure, enabled 32-bit application instalation, and I still get the same message. I suspect, though, that it recognies Image Composer as a Microsoft program, and says, “no, we don’t want you to install that.” Other 32-bit programs install easily even without the tweak.

    C’est la vie. It was a good try.

    Reply
    PA
    patriotsongs Jan 17, 2021

    It has happened to others, including me. Your experience is not everyone else’s.

    Reply
      HU
      hucker75 Jan 18, 2021

      Then presumably the setting became corrupted, or you’re in an office environment and your boss disabled it. There’s no reason it would be disabled on a home computer.

      Reply
    HW
    Hunter Ware981 Jun 29, 2021

    I tried this with itunes 10 and it didnt work

    Reply
      MZ
      Muhammad Zubyan Author Jun 30, 2021

      You can try downloading the 64-bit version of Itunes 10.

      Reply
    GU
    Gurdeep Jul 6, 2021

    How to run 64bit exe in 32bit

    Reply
      MZ
      Muhammad Zubyan Author Jul 7, 2021

      Unfortunately, it’s not possible you will have to upgrade your Windows from 32 bit to 64 bit.

      Reply
    CE
    Cedarspring Jan 24, 2022

    Did not work for DynaCadd for Windows 95. Followed all the directions and received error message…will not run on this computer…a new Lenovo ideacentre with Windows 10.

    Reply
    NS
    Netspin Sumware Jun 10, 2022

    Besides a by-passable “burp” querying for a registry entry when I launch it, for the first time in 3 years I was able to run an old 32-bit version of AutoCAD LT on my Win 10 64-bit PC. BUT! I had to make a folder and copy the files from the 32-bit install on the “older” machine to a flash drive. Then copy the files to the 64-bit PC. (No doubt the reason for the “burp”). The 64-bit PC cannot install from the original 32-bit disk. Your procedure for making this success possible does take some thinking. But the learning process and the extraordinary promised outcome continues to re-enforce my faith in this most arcane digital world and the caring and generous experts like yourself. Thanks.

    Reply
    DO
    Douglas Jun 17, 2023

    The other 4 items under general were the but no enable 32 bit ?

    Reply