120 MARCH2020|COMPUTER SHOPPER|ISSUE 385
WhateveryourPC,hardware, software,officeapplication
or macroissues,SimonHandbyisheretohelp
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Iamstill running Windows XP as Ineedto
use some old 16-bit programs, such as
AmiPro 3.1. Ialso need to run some
programs that IwroteinVisual Basic
versions 3and 6. Iassume these are 32-bit,
having been compiled on Windows XP.
IhaveanAsus T100TAtablet with
Windows 8.1, which runs these programs
with no problems. Ialso have aWindows 10
tablet, which won’t run themunless Iinstall
an XP virtual machine on it. However,asI
also need to be able to use some later
software such as Word and Excel, Icouldn’t
do so on this tablet without exiting one
systemforthe other.
If Ipurchaseasecond-hand laptop
running Windows 8.1, can Iguarantee that
it will be able to run both my legacy
programs and newer ones, even if it is using
a64-bit processor? Or does it need to be
32-bit? Inotethat the spec forthe
processor in my Asus tablet says that it is
64-bit anyway: is it all down to the version
of Windows the computer is running?
Bob Taylor
To some extent, you’re confusing the bit-width
of the computer with that of the operating
system(OS) and the software running on it.
Almost all PCs sold since the mid-2000s
have 64-bit architecture capable of running
64-bit software.You can choose to install
either a64-bit or 32-bit OS; the vast
majority of today’s PCs run in 64-bit. In the
case of Windows 10, a64-bit installation
will natively support 32-bit or 64-bit
Abit confused
applications, whereas a32-bit installation will
support 32-bit and 16-bit software only.
Fromthe details you give,itseems likely
that your Asus tablet is running a32-bit
version of Windows 8.1, hence its ability to
run your legacy 16-bit software.It’s most
likely that your Windows 10 tablet won’t run
the 16-bit apps because it has the 64-bit
version of the OS, although there could be
aseparatecompatibility issue.You can
verify the bit-depth of yourWindows 10
installation by long-pressing This PC, opening
the context menu, choosing Properties and
looking under the Systemheading.
If you’re running the 64-bit version of
Windows, the only wayyou’ll be able to run
legacy 16-bit software is by creating avirtual
machine (VM) and ensuring that you install
a32-bit OS on it. It doesn’t need
to be Windows XP; you already
knowthat your apps are
compatible with Windows 8.1,
so there’s agoodchance they’ll
work on a32-bit installation of
Windows 10. Remember that you
need aseparatelicence for
whichever OS you install on a
VM, as the host PC’s licence
doesn’t cover it. Creating aVM
won’t affect your ability to run
modern 64-bit software such as
Word on the host itself: if you
have enough RAM, you’ll be able
to leave the VMrunning and
minimised while you use other
apps on the host.
If you’re running the 32-bit
version of Windows 10, there’s a
compatibility problemnot related
to the bit-depth of your software.
Yo ucould try to get around it by
finding the executable file of the
app you’re having trouble with,
long-pressing it, selecting
Troubleshoot compatibility,
then using the Program
Compatibility Troubleshooter to
⬆Your PC’s bit depth appears under System. 64-bit Windows doesn’t support 16-bit apps attempt to find asolution.
