windows 7 over vista

Hi,
I have HP DV6t laptop with vista-64bit os. I am not at all impressed with the performance of vista 64 bit.
can I upgrade my laptop to windows7 32 bit?
pl. suggest.

With kind regards,

Hi chandragupta! Welcome to the forum.

Yes you can install Windows 7 32 bit on your laptop. WHY?

I would install the 64 bit version instead.

The big difference between the 32 bit system and the 64 bit system is the ability to use more memory (RAM). In 32 bit your max amount is 3.0 to 3.5 of usable RAM. Where most Branded PC's will tell you that 4 gig is the max but don't tell you that the OS will only use 3 to 3.5 gigs. This is the limitation that is built into the 32 bit system. When the 64 bit system came out, back in XP Pro 64 bit, there was not a lot of software for the everyday user. Now as technology and software has improved so has the demand for 64 bit systems for the everyday users. It's just a matter of time before the 32 bit system is phased out completely, like the introduction of the music disc which made the cassette obsolete. It's just better, same for the 64 bit system. There is nothing that says to can't go from the 64 bit to the 32 bit system. When you get your 7 DVD OS, it has both versions of it on the disc, you just have to tell to use the 32 bit when you install the OS.

Actually the retail packages come with two discs, one for 32 bit, one for 64 bit.

Just use the DVD with the version of the Windows 7 you want to install.

I would still install the 64 bit version of Windows 7 though, its better than the Vista 64 bit version and faster too.

I forgot to mention that,thanks Nibiru. Only the retail version has that ability, you have to specifiy which OEM version you want. I knew I was forgetting somethin.

64 bit is much better over 32 bit systems, for all of the reasons above, and more. Everything that is made to be used with computers works with 64 bit, for the most part. But you will find that there's still a lot of 32 bit programs being used. That will change over time, you will see. I feel that the main holdback over 64 bit software is the number of XP users (mostly 32 bit) refusing to change, but their numbers are falling, and fast. So it's just a matter of stepping up now, or putting it off until the next version of Windows, where 32 bit will no longer exist.

Hi Nibiru,
Thanks for fast reply. :-)
The big reason why i want to go for 32 bit is: I have to use VPN for which 64 bit os is not compatible.
Another reason is, I have a desk top too which is P4 with xp home professional os and 1gb of ram which is working faster than my lap top(4 Gb ram with vista 64 bit Os. I would also like to mention, that I have installed anti virus for both. If you feel i can overcome with the problem i m facing, then pl. pl. suggest. Thanks

That explains it all, this is the primary reason for you and I understand. If you install Windows 7 Pro or another that supports "XP Mode" then apparently you can use the VPN software. I read it at this website: http://channel9.msdn.com/forums/Coff...co-VPN-Client/

Comparing XP Pro to Vista is like comparing a horse to a mule, or vice versa.

VISTA is not nearly as fast and snappy as Windows 7 is, at least that's my experience with it.

The last time I used Vista, I could see someone wanting to downgrade to XP Pro. Took forever to load, and slow, even with 3GB RAM. But with Windows 7, that is not the case, it is very snappy and responsive, even with only 2GB RAM. Still, 64 bit is better (I have both). If your system will run it, it (64 bit) is the way to go.