Solved Is it possible to install Win 11 on a 64-bit processor but a 32-bit BIOS

Megahertz · Oct 22, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
No it won't work.

With that low amount of RAM I would not recommend anything beyond Windows XP or 7 32-bit version anyways.
What I would do, is to install a lightweight 32-bit Linux distribution on it and call it the day. It would run pretty good.

Agree. Light Linux will run on it pretty well.
Win 11 was made for 64 bits architecture computers with 8G + of memory and a multi core CPU. Yes it can run (like a turtle) with 4G and mid range CPU.
But for sure it won't run on a Atom with 2G

starchase · Oct 22, 2023

Bree said:
Windows 11 is only available as 64 bit. It sounds like you were trying to run its Setup from within 32 bit Windows 10. As you have an image of your Windows 10, you could try a clean install of Windows 11. Here's how I did it on my little netbook.

Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware - post #1.386

To dual boot 10 and 11 I restored my Reflect image of 32 bit Win10, then used Disk Management to create a vhdx file for a 64GB dynamically expanding virtual disk. I mounted the vhdx, restored an image of the Win11 install to this virtual disk using Reflect (resizing the C: partition on the way), then set it up to native boot.

Create and Set Up New VHD or VHDX File in Windows 10

How to Create and Set Up New VHD or VHDX File in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Native Boot Windows 11 Virtual Hard Disk (VHDX)

This tutorial will show you how to boot a Windows 11 VHDX file natively to dual boot with Windows 10 or Windows 11. Native Boot allows you to create a virtual hard disk (VHDX), install Windows to it, and then boot it up, either on your PC side-by-side with your existing installation, or on a...

www.elevenforum.com

Hi Bree. I was going to attempt to follow your instructions to load Win11 on a vhdx partition so I made a Rufus USB thumb drive with a Windows11 ISO that I made copying the ISO's installation files that showed in Windows Explorer when I mounted it, and burned an ISO using CDBurnerXP which has that function. I tested the USB to see if it would boot into my 1024C EeePC bur got this error message. My machine is different from your Aspire netbook (obviously) so it seems that I can't have a dual boot 10 and 11 on this machine. And I'm fine with that. I was just looking to have fun and gain experience in doing the vhdx thingy!

Unless you have any thoughts about this Recovery error message. I don't think there's anything to be repaired, just the machine trying to come as close to an evaluation of what I was booting.

TM21 · Oct 22, 2023

kelper said:
My standby laptop has a 32-bit BIOS and this prevents me from installing Windows eleven, even though its processor is 64-bit.

Is there a workaround?

Kelper,
I have an old eMachine that is like that....the sticker on the front says it has an AMD Athlon X2, 64 cpu.
But that system won't have anything to do with anything 64 bit.
However, my workaround for such PC's (and I have several like that) is to install Windows 10/Pro/32.
With a tweak and a twiddle, and Open Shell, it runs just like Win-11.

With a little web search, I found a nice little ISO for Windows 10/Pro/32.
I burned the ISO to a Flash Drive, using Rufus.
Then I just booted up the PC and installed Win-10. Easy peasy!

Cheers Mate,
TM

Bree · Oct 22, 2023

starchase said:
I tested the USB to see if it would boot into my 1024C EeePC bur got this error message. My machine is different from your Aspire netbook (obviously) so it seems that I can't have a dual boot 10 and 11 on this machine.

The Atom N2600 is definitely a 64 bit processor, but it seems that your EeePC 1025C only has a 32 bit bios.

johnlgalt · Oct 22, 2023

starchase said:
Hi Bree. I was going to attempt to follow your instructions to load Win11 on a vhdx partition so I made a Rufus USB thumb drive with a Windows11 ISO that I made copying the ISO's installation files that showed in Windows Explorer when I mounted it, and burned an ISO using CDBurnerXP which has that function. I tested the USB to see if it would boot into my 1024C EeePC bur got this error message. My machine is different from your Aspire netbook (obviously) so it seems that I can't have a dual boot 10 and 11 on this machine. And I'm fine with that. I was just looking to have fun and gain experience in doing the vhdx thingy! Unless you have any thoughts about this Recovery error message. I don't think there's anything to be repaired, just the machine trying to come as close to an evaluation of what I was booting.

1. ~~Rufus can make both bootable USB and .ISOs. Use Rufus to make it as an .ISO first, then use Rufus to make a bootable USB from that .ISO you just made.~~
2. Sounds like you made the Windows install for UEFI only, instead of BIOS and UEFI (or, whatever your machine needs to boot from that drive)

Bree will know the exact settings to use in Rufus to make a bootable USB for your machine.

Lol posting at the same time

EDIT: #1 is incorrect on my part, and I've stricken it.

starchase · Oct 22, 2023

johnlgalt said:
1. Rufus can make both bootable USB and .ISOs. Use Rufus to make it as an .ISO first, then use Rufus to make a bootable USB from that .ISO you just made.
2. Sounds like you made the Windows install for UEFI only, instead of BIOS and UEFI (or, whatever your machine needs to boot from that drive)

Bree will know the exact settings to use in Rufus to make a bootable USB for your machine.

Lol posting at the same time

Thanks John. I did make the USB as BIOS and MBR, at least that was what I was looking at when I made the selections. So when you say

Use Rufus to make it as an .ISO first, then use Rufus to make a bootable USB from that .ISO

I am not sure what you mean concerning the action to take with the USB that I made with Rufus. Can you elaborate, and is there a chance it would make the USB stick bootable?
Thanks for your suggestion.
John

johnlgalt · Oct 22, 2023

Lol whoops - I was totally wrong about that, and have no idea what I was thinking.

I've stricken through that first bullet point. It's been so long since I've done anything with Rufus that I had forgotten it is for USB creation only., He even says on his website that to make a .ISO you need a 3rd party program.

Complete mistake on my part. My apologies, and now I'll go get some more coffee and wake up before I offer any more advice lol.

Bree · Oct 22, 2023

starchase said:
is there a chance it would make the USB stick bootable?

No, the problem is that your bios is 32 bit, and cannot boot the 64 bit OS on the install usb. There was never any official 64 bit bios available from Asus, the only solution would be to flash the bios with a modified bios that allows 64 bit use. That is, perhaps, a risk too far... :wink:

...but there's a modded bios here if you want to take the risk. My Acer AOD270 came with a 64 bit bios, so I didn't have to.

[REQUEST] Asus eeepc 1025C

This is crap that Asus flange their motherboard, w

www.bios-mods.com

cereberus · Oct 22, 2023

It is impossible - a lot of the early Windows emmc devices (e.g. Atom) had 32 bit bios and although cpus were 64 bit, they could not run 64bit OSs, only 32bit OSs can run (strangely 32bit UEFI which people think does not exist - the UEFI standard does allow 32 bit albeit very unusual).

Worse, most of these were locked down to run Windows as well.

Of course, 32bit Windows does not exist.

bobkn · Oct 22, 2023

starchase said:
If you are referring to my Asus 1024C netbook (and I may be wrong abut who you are replying to) I added a 4GB stick in my EeePC Flare and Windows is reporting 2.99GB usable. I am delighted.

I was replying to the OP.

I admit that I didn't check whether an unsupported RAM upgrade was possible. 11 is only available as a 64 bit OS, and I doubt that any sane person would want it on a 1GB machine, even if it would install.

neves · Oct 22, 2023

cereberus said:
It is impossible - a lot of the early Windows emmc devices (e.g. Atom) had 32 bit bios and although cpus were 64 bit, they could not run 64bit OSs, only 32bit OSs can run (strangely 32bit UEFI which people think does not exist - the UEFI standard does allow 32 bit albeit very unusual).

Worse, most of these were locked down to run Windows as well.

Of course, 32bit Windows does not exist.

Windows 7 Starter is 32 bit only. That's what most of this low budget PC toys came with. As mentioned above - after 64 Bit became the norm - the market was over-saturated with 64 bit CPUs. The thing is... even this so called PCs were meant as a "Starter pack (for kids/children getting their first PC for school and such)" with only 1 Ram Slot and max 4 Gb ram. Thus, the 32 bit BIOS - was an intentional limiter, as in: they weren't meant to be upgraded, but.... replaced with a new PC (typical bussines move aimed consumarism).

Tho, a slight uprade is still viable (not by using Windows OFC) - by using one the Linux distributions aimed at low-end PCs (even obsolete by modern standards).

starchase · Oct 23, 2023

Bree said:
No, the problem is that your bios is 32 bit, and cannot boot the 64 bit OS on the install usb. There was never any official 64 bit bios available from Asus, the only solution would be to flash the bios with a modified bios that allows 64 bit use. That is, perhaps, a risk too far...

...but there's a modded bios here if you want to take the risk. My Acer AOD270 came with a 64 bit bios, so I didn't have to.

[REQUEST] Asus eeepc 1025C

This is crap that Asus flange their motherboard, w

www.bios-mods.com

Just to provide closure, I will leave well enough alone. Thanks for the link to the BIOS Mod group, very interesting discussions there. I did try to work with the mod that many in the group did confirm it worked for them to obtain 64 bit on their 1024C machines, but I couldn't get my BIOS updater to find the file. I did a few days ago update the bios to the latest official from Asus. But since this modded file couldn't be discovered I'll take that as an omen to just live with Windows 10 now that the machine is working as well as I could have ever expected it. Thanks again for your marvelous help!!!

Ghot · Oct 23, 2023

starchase said:
I'll take that as an omen to just live with Windows 10

Bullwinkle: Hey Rocky! That's a good idea.

Berton · Oct 23, 2023

Considering the theme of this thread I'll offer that I get the dual version of the MCT downloads, has both 32-bit and 64-bit support but needs either an 8GB USB Thumb drive or a DVD+R/DL 8GB dual-layer disc.

This has given me an idea to explore, most versions of Linux have a USB Image Writer feature/app. I use it to make bootable USB Thumb drives from the downloaded .iso file to have a portable version of Linux which has usable programs in it which can be run abeit slightly slower. My idea is to try making the Windows install from its .iso file, see what happens.

Bree · Oct 23, 2023

Berton said:
I get the dual version of the MCT downloads, has both 32-bit and 64-bit support but needs either an 8GB USB Thumb drive or a DVD+R/DL 8GB dual-layer disc.....
....My idea is to try making the Windows install from its .iso file, see what happens.

That's true for the Win10 install media made by the MCT, but for Win11 it no longer boots in 32 bit - the OS is 64 bit only so 32 bit boot support is no longer needed to install on any supported device.

I use the MCT to make an ISO, it's easy to make as many USBs as I want from an ISO. A 64 bit only ISO should still (just) fit on a single layer DVD.

What I and others have found to be successful in the past (and should continue to work in the future) is to make hybrid install media. Make a USB for Win10, then replace its install.esd/install.wim with the one from a Win11 ISO. That will run the system checks appropriate for a Win10 install, but then installs Win11.

Berton · Oct 23, 2023

Bree said:
That's true for the Win10 install media made by the MCT, but for Win11 it no longer boots in 32 bit - the OS is 64 bit only so 32 bit boot support is no longer needed to install on any supported device.

I use the MCT to make an ISO, it's easy to make as many USBs as I want from an ISO. A 64 bit only ISO should still (just) fit on a single layer DVD.

What I and others have found to be successful in the past (and should continue to work in the future) is to make hybrid install media. Make a USB for Win10, then replace its install.esd/install.wim with the one from a Win11 ISO. That will run the system checks appropriate for a Win10 install, but then installs Win11.

You just had to go and give me another project to try on an older machine, maybe the nice BIG 17" HP Envy I have.

Bree · Oct 23, 2023

Berton said:
You just had to go and give me another project to try on an older machine.....

Sorry...

Solved Is it possible to install Win 11 on a 64-bit processor but a 32-bit BIOS

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