Windows 7: Saving data to upgrade to Windows 7 ultimate 64bit

Hi,

I am thinking about upgrading from Windows 7 home Premium 32bit to Windows 7 Ulimate 64 bit so I can free up the unuseable ram on my pc.

As far as I know this would have to be a clean install please correct me if I'm wrong. The problem I have is saving all my data, programs and settings. Could someone please let me know what would be the best way of doing this. Can I just make a full backup on to an external hard drive with windows back up and then restore from the external hard drive after the upgade to windows 7 64 bit is complete or is there a better way that this can be done?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Got some bad news. I am fairly sure, you must due a clean install only when going from 32 b it to 64. You cant restore the backup for you would end up back on 32bit.

Thanks for your answer. Is there no other software out there that could save all my settings, programs and data for this upgrade?