Windows 7: Clean Install of Window 7 64bit from 32bit Vista

I saw the thread on clean installs with a upgrade disk but I'm still confused. I want to use a update disk to install a 64bit version of windows 7 from a 32bit bit version of Vista.

1) I have no extra hard drive
2) I have a Compaq F500 (laptop) with 1 gig of memory with a AMD64 Athlon x2 processor
3) I used the checker from Microsoft to see if I can it gave me a O.K.

So, can I do a clean install with a upgrade disk and how do I. I ask now in part because I don't know if any new updates from Microsoft would prevent this.

THX in advance.

You'll have to boot the installer to clean install a different bit-version, however the installer should still detect Vista to allow use of Upgrade version key up front during install.

If not leave the key blank then after install do the quick registry workaround used to clean install Upgrade version to a clean HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Hello CGOWAddict, welcome to Seven Forums!


There is no upgrade path from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows, it will have to be a clean install; the best way to go forward, after you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, is to do a wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive, have a look at this information below.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional partitions after the installation completes if you choose.

All the installed programs/apps will have to be reinstalled so be sure to save the activation keys where applicable and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

O.K. let me see if I got this right
1)back up personal data on a disk or flash drive
2)Erase disk (secure erase)
3)follow directions on how do do a clean install with a window 7 upgrade on the link above

is that correct?

If this is correct how will the upgrade disk know I had a previous version??
Will it ask me for the previous key number??

also do I need to "leave the key blank then after install do the quick registry workaround used to clean install Upgrade version to a clean HD"
as gregrocker suggested?

Yes, do as Greg suggested.

just one more thing, what is the minimum of ram should I have to use the 64bit version? (I'm just about to order the upgrade and need to know is it mandatory to have a certain amount of RAM.

At least 4GB and more would help.

Thank you, when I receive my memory and have installed both software and hardware I will post the results and any problems which may have occurred during the process.

Again thank you in advance

hmmm... seems like the max memory this laptop can hold is 2gb. Should I just do a clean install of a 32bit version then??

I tried running Vista Home Premium on my old Pent4 that has 2GB RAM and it didn't do well at all. However, when I bought a newer computer with 4GB RAM and installed (a complete version of) Vista Ultimate 32bit all was well.

I really wouldn't suggest running Vista, no matter what edition, on a computer that has only 2GB RAM. It will run but not well. You would do better running WinXP.