Going from Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit to 64 - can the software come too?


  1. Posts : 4
    Currently Win 7 Ultimate x32
       #1

    Going from Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit to 64 - can the software come too?


    Hello everyone, hope you are all well. :)

    Shortly I will be in possession of an all new singing and dancing I7 system and am planning to put Windows Ultimate 64bit to take advantage of it.

    Currently my system is running Windows Ultimate 32-bit and is there any way to transfer the installed software and settings from my current system without having to reinstall everything?

    If not, would it be possible to put my current HD into the new system and would this have any effect on the performance of the new system?


    Take care :)
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    Programs cannot migrate from an installation to a fresh install. They must always be reinstalled. Changing from 32- to 64- bit also requires a clean reinstall from boot. Clean Install Windows 7

    You can move your current HD to the new hardware by SysPrepping it first on the old hardware to remove all drivers, hardware ID, SID, activation so that it will easily start up when moved: SysPrep to move HD to another computer

    The same can be accompished with an automated GUI using Paragon Adaptive Restore CD booted on the new hardware and pointed at the Win7 installation you've moved.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,606
    Windows 7 Pro X64 SP1
       #3

    The short answer is no.

    You can't upgrade-in-place any 32 bit version of Windows to a 64 bit version. You can use an upgrade license, but it must be a custom (clean) install.

    There is a commercial application that pretends to move programs:

    Laplink® Software - PCmover Professional - Migrate Computer Programs, Files and Settings

    I have no experience with it. I also don't know whether it can move anything form a 32 bit OS to a 64 bit one.

    Re-installing your applications is probably the safest approach.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    Currently Win 7 Ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks for the prompt replies, I appreciate it. :)

    @gregrocker: That's a blow, was kind of hoping against hope that it would be possible but thank you for the information concerning SysPrep as it could come in useful. However, Paragon Adaptive Restore CD does sound that it would be handy on the new system. I do realise this is grasping at straws but will try the migration software you mentioned and if that does the trick, great, but if not at least I tried.

    @bobkn: The software does sound interesting but what do you mean by that it pretends to move software?

    You're correct that re-installing software is the best way but want to extinguish all other avenues before arriving at that option.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    Do you really have that much that you would have to reinstall. I only install like 15 things on a new build, and most are small utilities and such. i don't find a format and reinstall to be daunting at all.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #6

    Is your old HD IDE or Sata?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    Currently Win 7 Ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #7

    pparks1 said:
    Do you really have that much that you would have to reinstall. I only install like 15 things on a new build, and most are small utilities and such. i don't find a format and reinstall to be daunting at all.

    I don't find the task daunting, just a major pain in the arse as there is over 70 programs installed, not including shortcuts on the desktop to non-installed software and on top of that there's associating file types with programs.

    Hope this explains why I want to try the migration route first.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4
    Currently Win 7 Ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #8

    theog said:
    Is your old HD IDE or Sata?
    It's SATA, Seagate Barracuda 7200 500GB.
      My Computer


 

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