Can I install WIndows 7 Home Premium 64-bit AND WIndows XP Pro SP3 32-bit on the same desktop?

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Master-Bates

Master-Bates

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Sep 27, 2013
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10,510
Hello, I just bought a $950 computer. In the package, it came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Can I also install a legal version of Windows XP Pro SP3 32-bit on the same desktop? I want to have an XP 32-bit and a 7 64-bit on my computer for gaming purposes. I heard that Windows XP 32-bit can run 16-bit applications. Is this true? Will a 64-bit system install a 32-bit OS and run 16-bit? I couldn't install WIndows XP 16-bit. Thank you. Here are my specs:

CAS: CFI Boreallight Full-Tower Gaming Case w/ 1x 140 & 2x 120mm Fans, Front USB 3.0, HDD Easy Swap Bays & Side-Panel Window [-5] (Black Color)

CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive [-25] (BLACK COLOR)

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core AM3+ CPU 8MB L2 Cache & Turbo Core Technology [-30]

FAN HDD: Vigor iSURF II Hard Disk Drive Cooling System [+21] (1 x System)

FAN: AMD Certified CPU Fan & Heatsink [-51]

HDD: 2TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)

KEYBOARD1: AZZA Multimedia USB Gaming Keyboard [+5]

MEMORY: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory [-59] (Corsair or Major Brand)

MOTHERBOARD: *[CrossFireX] ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 AMD 970 Chipset CrossFireX Support DDR3 Socket AM3+ ATX w/ 7.1 Audio, GbLAN, 2 Gen2 PCIe X16, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI (Pro OC Certified) [-50]

MOUSE: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge [+4]

NETWORK: Intel Pro Gigabit 10/100/1000 Network Card [+34]

OS: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium [+0] (64-bit Edition)

OVERCLOCK: No Overclocking

POWERSUPPLY:* 700 Watts - Cooler Master i700 700W 80 Plus Bronze Certified Active PFC Power Supply [+21]

SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO

VIDEO: AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card [-37] (Major Brand Powered by AMD)

WNC: 802.11b/g/n 300Mbps PCI Wireless Adapter Network Card [+26]
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Jan 16, 2011
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There's no such thing as XP 16 bit. The general rule is that a given OS can run software 1 bit level below it. You can run the two in separate partitions, in a dual boot. You'll need to partition the drive and install XP on a second partition (you can't run 2 OSes on the same partition). Then, on each boot you'll get a choice which one to go into.
 
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Master-Bates

Master-Bates

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Sep 27, 2013
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10,510

Thank you so much! It looks and sounds very easy to partition a HDD. Since I have a 2 TB drive, how many GB should I put on the XP partition? I will have older 2005 games and under installed on it. When I tried to install a version of Windows XP, it said that 64-bit cannot run 16-bit. So if I partitioned the HDD into 250 GB, can I install Windows XP 32-bit and will it run 16-bit? Also, if I have a legal Kaspersky license, can I install it on both partitions? I don't want to have 2 separate users on my computer. I also don't want to buy 2 licenses for Kaspersky.
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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I can't answer conclusively as to how big the XP partition needs to be since I don't know how much will be put on it (you would) but that's a pretty spacious drive. It shouldn't hurt to give the XP a bit more room than the most you figure it will hold (it's best to leave any system partition with some free space). A 32 bit Win XP should run older software, yes.

As to Kaspersky, it probably will treat the two installations as separate PCs. The partition less frequently used (particularly for tasks on the internet) might be a candidate for a free AV such as Avast.
 
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Master-Bates

Master-Bates

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Sep 27, 2013
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10,510

You're right. Avast is good for the XP partition, but not the 7 partition. Will I need a second steam account to download the older games for XP? Can I give or take GB from a partition if I ever choose to?
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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Jan 16, 2011
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You can use the same Steam account

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8963-EIKC-3767

The HDD can be re-partitioned, though you'd end up moving one partition (and the data in it) over to fill the empty space. IT could be a lengthy process to move the data in the partition which is at the end of the disk (either to push it forward if being shrunk or pull it back if being expanded) - but it can be done, yes.
 
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Master-Bates

Master-Bates

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Sep 27, 2013
19
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10,510

That's great! Thank you for your answers! I decided i'll probably have to use a Win XP rar file ISO and burn it to a disk. The Win XP OS is extremely overpriced for it's age.
 
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Master-Bates

Master-Bates

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Sep 27, 2013
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10,510

I was thinking about it. However, I am too scared of installing hardware by myself. Also don't have the $60 right now.
 
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