how to install window 8 64-bit on my 32-bit PC

Question

I am currently running Windows 7 32-bit. I want to install Windows 8 Developer Preview 64-bit. Is it possible to install it with my existing Windows 7(32-bit) or is there any way to install Windows 8 developer preview 64-bit virtual on 32-bit PC or is there any to check if my PC is good for 64-bit OS.

I am having Intel Pentium Dual Core CPU E5300 2.60Ghz Processor, 2GB RAM.

Answer 1

Is your CPU 32-bit, or just your current install of Win7? Regardless, you won't be able to install/run 64-bit software from within a 32-bit runtime. This would most likely rule out the ability to perform an "upgrade install" as well.

A 32-bit operating system will boot/run the CPU in "protected mode", while 64-bit software requires that the CPU operate in "long mode". In short, you need to install from a native 64-bit runtime. Which you should be able to do by booting from the Win8 install disc, assuming your CPU is 64-bit capable.

Answer 2

The CPU does use a 64-bit instruction set: http://ark.intel.com/products/35300/Intel-Pentium-Processor-E5300-%282M-Cache-2_60-GHz-800-MHz-FSB%29

So just install the OS according to it's normal instructions, though, with a Pentium-class processor, your experience will be far, far from optimal.

Answer 3

To check whether or not your PC is "good" for a 64-bit OS, you'll have to find out which CPU you have, which you can do with System Properties (hit WINDOWS KEY+PAUSE).

Then look up the CPU that you're using and see if it supports x86-64.

If it does (most modern CPUs do) then you're good to go.

However, upgrading from a 32-bit OS to a 64-bit OS (even on a PC that supports 64-bit operating systems) is not supported as far as I know.