XPS Desktops

[RrnR]

I have just acquired an 8700 which came with Windows 10 Pro 64-bit installed on an SSD.  I need to replace this installation with the 32-bit version of Win10, as this will be the simplest solution to supporting a string of 16-bit legacy applications.  I have downloaded an ISO image of the Windows10 32-bit installer from Microsoft, but what I thought would be a simple re-installation has turned into a frustrating couple of days and no results (I would be a complete mess if it weren't for the fact that the SSD makes restarts bearably quick!).

I've seen threads here suggesting that booting from a 32-bit image isn't always possible in 64-bit hardware.   The only way I have managed to get the installer image to boot is to turn off UEFI, and then the installer barfs because "the disk is of GPT type".

Is there a way forward here?  I gather it is preferable to have Windows boot in UEFI mode, but if I can't have that I'm willing to try anything that will have a chance of producing a working system.

Dell xps8700

Manufactured: 26 Jan 2014

Memory: 16G

SSD: Samsung 230G

BIOS: A14

BIOS Date: 31 May 2019

[Vic384]

Have you tried setting Load Legacy OPROM to Enable and Secure Boot to Disable in the BIOS?

[RoHe]

This link claims to show how to enable Win 10 64-bit to run 16-bit apps.

YRMV!

[Philip_Yip · Accepted solution]

In the UEFI BIOS Setup you need:

• Disable Secure Boot

• Enable Legacy a Legacy Boot

• Enable Legacy ROMS

The Bootable USB should be made with Rufus. Use:

• The MBR Partition Scheme

• NTFS Format

[RrnR]

Hi Ron,

That procedure only works for Win10 32-bit, there isn't any way a 64-bit operating system can run 16-bit apps - except through a virtual machine or DOS emulation (vDos, etc). 

[RrnR]

Hi Philip,

That will presumably mean I will need to abandon UEFI, right?  I was trying to avoid that, because I gather that UEFI boot is faster, and has better security.

[RrnR]

Yup, tried that - I got this:

[Philip_Yip]

Only 64 Bit Windows OS support a UEFI Boot, so if you want to install 32 Bit you will need to use a Legacy Boot.

[RrnR]

>  Only 64 Bit Windows OS support a UEFI Boot, so if you want to install 32 Bit you will need to use a Legacy Boot.

Thanks @Philip_Yip, I didn't realise that.  I'll try it tomorrow.

R

[RrnR]

All good.  The installation resulted in Win10 Home on the PC.  I entered my Win10 Pro key and it rejected it, I then found out about the trick of upgrading to Win10 Pro with the internet disconnected and using the temporary key VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T and then entering my own key and activating it.

Thanks for your help.