About to upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit W7 Pro - looking for opinions..

Hi Everyone,

I have an HP laptop with Windows 7 32Bit Professional installed. I want to 'upgrade' to the 64Bit version, but I also understand that doing so is not a straight forward process.

I am wondering if I can take the following approach to the upgrade?

• Backup all (relevant) files using 'Backup & Restore' (Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Backup and Restore)
• Install a new hard drive
• Using the HP Recovery Disks restore the computer to factory defaults (a 64Bit recovery disk was provided)
• Perform Windows Updates
• Reinstall required software (business programs, etc)
• Restore the files originally backed up using 'Backup & Restore'

My primary goal is to ensure no data loss. However my secondary goal is to perform the upgrade as quickly as possible. I understand that a new hard drive is not required, however I intend on installing an SSD!

If anybody has any suggestions regarding issues that they can see with my proposed method, or if you know of a better / quicker way can you please share?


Kind Regards,


Davo

For the sake of argument, I'll assume that your recovery disks will work and will in fact give you a 64 bit install.

I'd assume that would also include all of the stuff (crap and non-crap) that the laptop had when you bought it--albeit you would be on 64 bit, not 32 bit.

Would you prefer that to a clean install? Or do you have no interest in a clean install of Windows 7 64-bit?

Secondly--if you care about "Backup and Restore" only insofar as it prevents data loss, why not just copy your data with the mouse, rather than rely on Backup and Restore? Why introduce that complication, since you won't be using it to backup Windows? When you get to your last step "Restore the files originally backed up using Backup & Restore", who's to say what might happen? I'd be afraid that that last step might overwrite something on your new recovery 64-bit installation that you wouldn't want to over-write.

Speed of doing this would be far down my list of priorities. I'd be much more concerned with accuracy--getting it right the first time without complications or unforeseen issues.