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Windows 8 forum: New computers with windows8, can I download old softwares?

by: marly0412 September 15, 2012 9:37 AM PDT

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New computers with windows8, can I download old softwares?

by marly0412 - 9/15/12 9:37 AM

Please, as you can see, I do not know about computers but I am planning to buy a new laptop with windows 8 by the end of this year but I have old softwares, does that mean that they can not be installed?

I have heard that we will convert windows 8 to windows 7 but does it mean that I have to uninstall windows 8 and install windows 7 and viceversa?

If someone can help me I would appreciate it.
Thank you.


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Backwards-compatible

by 3rdalbum - 9/16/12 1:24 AM

In Reply to: New computers with windows8, can I download old softwares? by marly0412

Most programs will work on Windows 8 - as long as you have an x86 CPU (which your new laptop will have, but most tablets won't have).

Unfortunately, Windows still has very imperfect 64-bit support in my recent experience, so you might need to grab 64-bit or 64-bit-compatible versions of your programs. This will not require you to install Windows 7.

Of course, your existing programs will run on the classic desktop on Windows 8, not using the new (ugly, IMHO) Metro interface.


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