Installing Windows 2012 from Windows 7 (32-bit) failed.

Problem:  The version of this file is not compatible with the version of windows you’re running. Check your computer system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) versions of the program and then contact the software publisher. 

Background: I was trying to install windows 2012 on my Notebook the Dell Latitude Series E6230.   

However realized I came with the 32-bit Windows 7 operating system. As any normal IT Pro first I tried to run the setup.exe and then got the above error. Sooner or later I realized that 32 bit version O.S doesn't support 64 bit versions application. I was not having any DVD or CD drive where I can burn ISO of Windows 2012.

Resolution: I tried a new method; by converting my USB flash drive to bootable flash drive using Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool downloaded from MS store for free.

You just need to run the set-up.exe and rest the tool do everything for you.

Go to BIOS by pressing F10 or F12 and boot your PC from the Flash/Thumb Drive your set-up will automatically launch.

Thanks for Mr Bob hunt for his reference below:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/blainbar/archive/2012/09/05/step-by-step-booting-windows-server-2012-rtm-from-thumb-drive-creating-a-new-bootable-virtual-hard-disk-from-scratch-by-blain-barton.aspx

Other references:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/bobh/archive/2012/09/04/the-simplest-was-to-create-a-bootable-windows-server-2012-or-windows-8-usb-key.aspx

http://arstechnica.com/business/2009/12/the-usb-flash

-drive

Manual way to make bootable drive and install the O.S.

Applies to: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.