Which statement is correct about installing a 32-bit operating system on a x64 architecture?

Installing a 32-bit operating system on a x64 architecture is supported because the x64 architecture is designed to be backward compatible with 32-bit software. This means that a 32-bit operating system can run on a 64-bit processor without any issues, allowing full functionality of the OS.

The operating system will utilize the hardware resources effectively, although it will not be able to take advantage of the additional memory addressing capabilities that the 64-bit system provides, which is primarily beneficial for applications that require large amounts of RAM. Since the compatibility is inherent in the design of x64 processors, no additional drivers or modifications are needed for basic operation, making it practical and straightforward to install a 32-bit OS in such environments.