Installing win 8 x32 over x64 and license

I have a windows 7 home premium retail license and upgraded to windows 8 pro x64 using promotion discount. Now I want to use some 16 bit applications that won't work with windows 8 x64. So I want to install either windows 7 or windows 8 32 bits on another partition along with windows 8 x64. Would it be legal ? Thanks

I can't comment on the legality of two installations using the same Product Key.

However, I have not had any problems with older programs running under Win 7 or Win 8 64 bit. I have one old Singer Embroidery machine program that I have to run in Win 98 compatibility mode, but even that works.

16 bit programs refuse to work windows 8 x64

If they won't work in 64 bit mode, I doubt that they will work in 32 bit mode. The main difference between 32 and 64 bit OS is the extended memory addressing capability of 64 bit mode (more than 4GB of RAM). Many of the current programs are still only 32 bit. I have one old 16 bit game that works OK in Win 8 64 bit (but I have others that are not compatible and not because of the 64 bit version but for other reasons such as sound and video).

Consider installing Windows XP in a Virtual Machine (VM) installation and see if that works.

my old programs won't work saying that I need newer versions .

If that is the case, 32 bit will not help you.

In order to run a 16-bit program or a 32-bit program that uses 16-bit processes or 16-bit components, you must install the program on a 32-bit version of Windows.

JustATest hit the nail on the head. 32bit Windows will run 16 bit but 64 bit won't. Do you have the required 32 install media?