Windows 7 pro

I just bought Windows 7 Pro and inadvertently got the 64 bit version. My laptop is 32 bit. I live on an island and taking it back now is impossible. Will this version work if I use it? My computer met the test for windows 7 but recommended the 32bit

Hi Diane - Welcome to w7forums

You must have purchased an OEM copy. The retail box version comes with both 32-bit DVD and 64-bit DVD.

In order to answer your question we need to know what your laptop is so we can figure out if it is 64-bit capable.

I am not saying the 64bit won't work but I will tell you another option - you can download the 32bit version and install it using the product key that came with your 64bit.

If you go the download route you will need a DSL or better connection and a download manager as these files are very large - the second one is over 2GB. Download managers allow for downloads to resume rather than start over when the connection is lost. Firefox and Opera browsers have download managers built in, IE doesn't. You might find some download managers on the web but many like Getright are paid software. Or just download and install firefox or opera for free (just if you want IE to be your default browser then be sure to say NO when firefox or opera ask if you want them to be the default).

Assuming you go the firefox or opera method, simply open up that browser after it is installed and paste these addresses, one at a time. You can get the 3 files for the US English 32 bit version here ...
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79643/Win7-P-Retail-en-us-x86.exe
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79643/setup1.box
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-79643/setup2.box

You will need to have all 3 in the same folder. And then you run the first exe file to install. Note: you can NOT burn these directly to a DVD and run from that.

Source of my information:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/1...ownload-links/

P.S. If you use a dial-up connection it will be faster to just swim to to the mainland :-/

I am not disagreeing, but could you be wrong? I cannot put it to the test.
I think the dual cd key only works for the two DVD's in the box - it may not work on an extra download

The swim option should work.

@davehc:
Regardless of how the Windows 7 product is purchased; full retail, full upgrade or OEM, the product key issued will work for either the 32 bit or 64 bit just as long it's the same edition ie, Pro 32 bit versus Pro 64 bit.

I have checked this on the different versions, editions and type sold. It will work on the downloaded ISO images that's burned to a DVD also.

@Diane: Your laptop must be rather old if it is only a 32 bit hardware system. If you bought it within the last two years, I'll bet you it's a 64 bit hardware system. Give us as much info as possible.

What make and model is it?

Here's a better link to downloads of the Windows 7 ISO image files. Just use ImgBurn to burn the ISO to a blank DVD. This is from the Windows 7 Forums sticky:
Windows 7 ISO – Official Direct Download Links

Nibiru, what immediately popped into my head as to why it "recommended" 32 bit was that she had 2GB of ram or less. Notebooks manufacturers love to skimp on the memory in the standard models so I would give it a high probability she only has 1GB and 64-bit really likes 3GB.

So please come back Diane and let us know how much memory do you have? In fact, please tell us what brand/model laptop, harddrive size, and memory you have and what you decided to do.

I'm sorry you're having this problem, The install from 64-bit to 32-bit is possible, but please note that If the program is specifically designed for the 64-bit version of Windows, it won't work on the 32-bit version of Windows. (However, most programs designed for the 32-bit version of Windows do work on the 64-bit version of Windows. Please go to bit.ly/32and64bit for more information.