Windows 8 64 bit system, VB only shows 32 bit options

[soulfulpsy]

I have a new HP laptop that came with Windows 8, which is a pain to use. I've installed VB, and was planning on installing Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, since that is the hardware in this computer. However, the options for setting up a VM only included 32 bit options for any of the Windows OS that have the option of 32 or 64. Am I asking for trouble to run the 32 bit version in this system? Or, is there a way around the limit that VB seems to be imposing? Won't this also limit the software I can install in the VB?

I started like most with the PC/Windows and shifted mainly to Mac about 5 years ago. But we needed a Windows OS at the office, which is why I have this machine. I was just hoping that I could use the VB to avoid some of the confusion with Windows 8 OS. But I am a bit out of my league with this challenge.

Thank you for your help.

[mpack]

Please search for previous answers before posting new questions. Your question has already been asked and answered many times. So much so that there is even a canned response for it, stickied at the top of the "Using VirtualBox" forum.

FAQ: I have a 64bit host, but can't install 64bit guests.

[soulfulpsy]

I did search but was not able to find this topic. I'm glad to have the info to start investigating but I do not appreciate the scolding. As you may have surmised from my series of questions, I am not an expert in this arena at all. But, again, thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

[mpack]

These are moderated forums, and I'm a moderator. It's my job to remind people of the forum rules when they go astray. If you want to see that as a "scolding" then that's up to you.