Windows 7: Go over 32 bit, with 64 bit?

I asked a friend whilst I was away on holiday to do a fresh install over my Vista Laptop with my newly purchased 3 user Windows 7 Home Premium O/S, which he did, and since returning from my holiday have been quite pleased, I've loaded a few programmes, and updated some software, AV, Malwarebytes etc, anyway my friend loaded the Win 7 32 bit, ( I thought I asked him to do the 64 bit ), is it possible for me to go over with 64 bit and not have to load all the software again
Your thoughts most appreciated.

Hi,

Unfortunately you cannot Overwrite/Update 32Bit to 64Bit and vice versa. You will need to perform a Custom Install which will create a Windows.old folder in your root directory.

You can then move any Documents/Pictures/Videos/Music etc. from the c:\windows.old\users\ folder to your user folder. You can then Delete Windows.old.

You will, however, need to install all your software again.


OS

Hello Peter.



There is no upgrade path from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows, it will have to be a clean install and the best way forward, after you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; have a look at this tutorial at the link below.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version


No matter what you do, if you do a clean install you will have to reinstall all the programs/apps that you use as they integrate themselves into the Windows registry and are not moveable from one Windows installation to another so be sure to save the program activation keys where applicable.

Unfortunately, you will have to do a complete reinstall. However, you can use http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html using an external storage device.

This is because the archetecture of x64 is very different (e.g. storing 32 bit settings via WoW64, different folders for 32-bit programs, etc.)

Hi peter4076. Unfortunately there is no way to change the architecture - 64bit to 32bit and vice versa - unless through a formatting. I hope I have given answer to your question.

As everybody has said, you have to start over again.

My question to you is...why do you want to move to 64bit? Do you have 4GB of RAM you need to maximize or more than 4GB of RAM?

Thanks for your input, I thought as much, but was hoping for a back door tweak, ah well. pparks1 in answer to you, I have 64 bit on my main computer which to my untrained eye seems to go a lot faster, than on my other desktop ( the spec not so good) running 32 bit, but my fairly new Toshiba laptop should cope quite well with 64 bit. I have done a crucial scan which states that I have maximum 2 gig memory (2 slots 1gig x 2)for 32 bit, so thought with 64 bit could upgrade to 4 gig, Is this logical?

If you plan to upgrade to 4GB (3.25 ish normally useable) then 64Bit would be an advantage and does work very well. I'm using x64 with only 3GB ram

How can I find out if my laptop will take 2x2gig ram or even 2x4gig whatever the limit is!

Go the Laptop's manufacturer website and get the product sheet for your laptop, the RAM specs will be listed there