Clean install help

[Tomas252]

Hi, I don't really know much about installing operating systems! I recently installed the 32 bit version of windows 7, I did an upgrade from my 32 bit vista.

However, I was wanting to change from 32 to 64. From what I've learned you need to do a clean install but what I was wondering was do you lose all your files and data?

If I backed up folders like program files and my documents would I be able to copy them back over without many problems?

I really don't want to have to reinstall everything :huh:

Thanks

Tomas

 

[Kari]

Hello Tomas, welcome to the Seven Forums.

You can use Windows Easy Transfer to move your personal files and settings from your old setup (Seven 32-bit) to a new setup (Seven 64-bit). Read this tutorial to learn how it's done.

Kari

 

[Tomas252]

Thanks thats a great help. So will I just need to install all the programs again then?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Yes, but it should save your settings.

 

[gregrocker]

Easy Transfer isn't that Easy sometimes. If you know where your files are, then you can also just copy them onto external storage, verify they are there, test copy some back to make sure they will, and then proceed without Easy Transfer.

The only advantage of Easy Transfer is that it saves your settings which is a corruption path for a clean install. Since you must do a clean install of 64 bit anyway, why not get the full benefits of the cleanest possible install: booting from DVD to do a formatted clean install?

Save, verify and test copy your files. Gather program installers/Disks.

Boot from the DVD, plug ethernet, select "Connect to Internet during install" to get latest drivers/updates during install, then Custom install, use Advanced Drive Tools to delete all, create New partition(s) as you wish, then Format before installing.

The DVD is mostly driver-complete, more are added via internet during install, and new ones will arrive in Windows Updates. You may need to visit the Support Downloads page for your model computer to find a few drivers/apps. Adobe Reader/flash and Java runtime/free Ofc Suite are available at their site.

When you have it all setup, save a Win7 Backup Image externally (and to a primary formatted partition if you want) so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or a replacement using the Win7 DVD or a repair CD.