Installing both 32bit and 64 bit on same hard disk?

jimbo45 said:

You can always dual boot -- but IMO you'd be better off installing ONE version of W7 and running the other as a Virtual Machine.

I'd probably start with the 32 bit version on the real machine (YOU CAN run a 64 bit guest OS on a 32 bit Host OS) and run the 64 bit version as a guest VM.

Unless you are doing a lot of graphics then the VM will sort out most of the driver problems.

When you have sorted out your hardware and software issues you could say do a W7 X-64 VIRTUAL to REAL conversion and get rid of the 32 bit version.

Unless you have >> 4GB RAM -- Min 8GB I'd say there isn't a huge advantage in running Windows 7 x-64. In a years time with really powerful CPU's and MORE RAM it makes sense but now I'd be content with W7 X32 since nearly everything from XP runs on it fine -- not so for x-64.

Cheers
jimbo

In my personal opinion; if you have the hardware specifications to run it, you should install the 64-bit version and then virtualize the 32-bit version as it will be less resource intensive in the virtualized enviorment.

Hi farhi and welcome to Windows 7 Forums

Absolutely possible, but please note that each install will require activation and a unique product key. Although the retail version of Windows Ultimate comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs, there is only one product key. You may install either, but not both, of these disks using this key. If you wish to use the other disk, either on a separate system or as a second OS on the system that the other OS was installed on, you will need to purchase another product key. If, however, you intend to replace the original installation (in other words, remove it and replace with the other version), then you can use the same key. In this case you will need to do a telephone activation and explain to the activation operative what you have done. Be aware that Microsoft can detect if product keys are used on more installations than they are licensed for.

Look at my specs. You will see that I have both Vista and Windows 7 installed, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. They co-exist on the same HDD (actually 2 HDDs, in a RAID 0 array). You cannot upgrade a 32-bit OS to 64-bit (or vice-versa). It has to be a clean install because of the architectural differences between the two.

Any more questions, please ask and we'll endeavour to answer them for you.

Hello farhi, welcome to Seven Forums!





There is no upgrade path from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows, it will have to be a clean install and yes, with 2 separate installs on the same Hard Disk Drive (HDD) you will get a Windows managed dual boot.

If it is your intention to migrate to the 64-bit version at a later time, you may care to have a look at this first tutorial at the link below as it will make removing the older OS easier later.

Dual Boot : Create Partitions Using PWBD

Clean Install Windows 7

farhi said:

WOW thanks guys, the reason i want the 64bit is because i cant install Adobe Premiere CS5, it only runs on 64 bit.
I have 2 partitions now, one is XP pro and one is WIN 7 32 bit.
So the best way is to upgrade the XP to Win 7 64 bit? or Format the partition and start from a boot CD?
Thanks

Since there is no upgrade path for 32-bit to 64-bit you would have to perform a clean install on that partition.

Hello farhi.



There is no upgrade path from XP to Windows 7 at all, it will have to be a clean install.

Please post a snip of your entire disk management drive map so we can have a look at it and explain which drive letter is which OS.


In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a snip of that.

How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

Bare Foot Kid said:

Hello farhi.



There is no upgrade path from XP to Windows 7 at all, it will have to be a clean install.

Please post a snip of your entire disk management drive map so we can have a look at it and explain which drive letter is which OS.


In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a snip of that.

How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

Well, for 32-bit to 32-bit you can actually upgrade from Windows XP, to Windows Vista, then to Windows 7. Which is a path per-say. Not a viable one but a path regardless! :)