Help and Support
 

powered byLive Search

When you insert a Windows Vista 64-bit DVD within a 32-bit operating system, the operation is unsuccessful

View products that this article applies to.
Article ID:930891
Last Review:March 17, 2007
Revision:3.2

SYMPTOMS

When you insert a Windows Vista 64-bit DVD within a 32-bit operating system, and setup is launched, the operation is unsuccessful, and you receive the following error message:
Setup cannot run on this version of the Operating System. To install Windows please try booting from the install media.
When you try to upgrade a computer’s operating system from the 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional (x64) to a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, the upgrade is disabled.

Note If you have a 64-bit version of Windows Vista installed, you can upgrade to an allowed 64-bit version of Windows Vista. For example, you can upgrade Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate.

Back to the top

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Windows operating system upgrades are supported only between matching operating system architectures. A 32-bit version of Windows XP does not recognize the 64-bit Windows Vista installer engine.

Back to the top

RESOLUTION

If you have a 32-bit version of Windows XP and want to install a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you must boot the computer from the 64-bit Windows Vista DVD and then perform a custom installation of Windows Vista. Back up data before you start the custom installation.

Back to the top

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Back to the top

APPLIES TO
•Windows Vista Business
•Windows Vista Enterprise
•Windows Vista Home Premium
•Windows Vista Home Basic
•Windows Vista Ultimate
•Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition
•Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition
•Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition
•Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition
•Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition
•Windows Vista Starter

Back to the top

Keywords: 
kbexpertisebeginner kbtshoot kbprb KB930891

Back to the top

Article Translations

 

Other Support Options

  • Need More Help?
    Contact a Support professional by E-mail, Online or Phone.
  • Customer Service
    For non-technical assistance with product purchases, subscriptions, online services, events, training courses, corporate sales, piracy issues, and more.
  • Newsgroups
    Pose a question to other users. Discussion groups and Forums about specific Microsoft products, technologies, and services.