How to upgrade from Window 7 32 bit to Windows 7 64 bit ?

[richard4911]

Hello,
I'm currently running Windows 7 Ultimate (32 Bit) and am contemplating upgrading to Windows 7 Ultimate (64 Bit) so I can use install and use more RAM.

I only have 4GB RAM and want to upgrade to 32GB.

If I do this I believe that I have to back up my hard drive first so that I can re-install (in one go) all of my current application etc.

Is there a way for me to back up my entire hard drive to an external hard drive, do the upgrade and then re-install all of my files and applications so that I can carry on as if nothing has changed?

The other way is to loose everything and start again re-installing all of my applications one by one, I'd (naturally) rather not have to do it this way.

I know that some of my applications can be upgraded to the 64 bit versions but I can do that at my leisure.

Any advice would be very welcome...

 

[Arc]

There is only one way to upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit .

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[richard4911]

Thanks for that information.

What's the best way to transfer all my applications to an external hard drive and then re-install them?

Can I do this?

 

[seavixen32]

As Arc correctly states, you cannot upgrade from 32-bit Windows to 64-bit Windows; it has to be a clean install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions

You cannot just transfer your applications to another hard drive, you need your installation discs so that you can re-install the software when you've clean installed your 64-bit version of Windows.

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Easiest method is to drag your User profile or active User folders to external, then after install open each User folder, on Organize tab Select All, drag the entire group to the corresponding folder in the Explorer bar at left. Don't release the left click until the Explorer bar fully unfolds and hypertext confirms where you are copying them.

You'll need to reinstall all of your programs and latest Updates. The best method is in the tutorial above.

 

[richard4911]

Thank you all for your help / advice; it's very much appreciated...

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

Post back if you need further advice or help.

 

[rraod]

About the memory upgrade to 32 GB, you need to check whether your motherboard supports that much memory. Check the manufacturer's site for this model how much memory you can add. 32GB looks very impressive, but many people do not need that much memory right now. May be in the near future you may need that much memory. Currently 16 GB itself is a very good quantity for your system. With all the extra memory, you may also run VMS on your machine.

Along with extra memory you should have a faster multicore (preferably quad core)processor and a faster, larger SATA HDDs to support the system to prevent any bottle necks.

For all these upgrades, you must have something in your mind to make use of this revamped system (fully charged), I am hoping you wanted to use this system for graphic manipulations or video encoding or for some CAD programs.

You can make a list of applications you most wants and get the install disks with serial numbers, registration procedures with the manufacturer etc. You will be needing them for reinstalling the needed softwares.

If any softwares you do not need that much, you can ignore them but still keep a copy for backup purpose.

Based on the apps you are planning to use, calculate really how much muscle and steel you want for your computer. Keep leaner muscles just so that you will have what you need. Nothing more nothing less.

Be frugal about spending money on these items. Take only what you really needed.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I have to agree with rraod. Many consumer level boards don't support 32 GB of memory. The reason is, aside from a huge server, there's no need or real way to use that much memory. I have a Dell PowerEdge Server running 6 virtual servers on 24 GB of memory for an entire company. If you need that much for some unique purpose...make sure your motherboard can handle it. If not, you can take that as an area to save some cash.

 

[richard4911]

I mainly use my laptop for image editing using either Photoshop CS6 or Capture NX2.

I've noticed that with each upgrade of the applications you need more memory to keep up.

 

[windows7User3]

I'm not a computer wiz but I partitioned my hard drive and copied all my program files from my 32 and transferred them to the partition I clean installed 64 to the old parttion and then merged the program files ....it didn't save any data but it kept me from reinstalling all my stuff (did need to reeneter some product keys though)

 

[richard4911]

Interesting, I was wondering about doing that... creating a new partition, installing the new Windows 64 bit to that partition and then transferring files across.

Thanks for your input...

 

[windows7User3]

No problem

 

[windows7User3]

Forgot to mention I would install to the old partition to avoid haveing two bootable partitions (I.e. partition a: windows 32...partition b: windows 64)

 

[windude99]

Interesting, I was wondering about doing that... creating a new partition, installing the new Windows 64 bit to that partition and then transferring files across.

Thanks for your input...

Don't do that. That will cause problems. Also, the program files will be for 32 bit and you will be switching to 64 bit, so a lot of programs probably won't work. Also, you can just use Windows Easy transfer:http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html
This will NOT transfer your programs, but it will transfer all user data, program settings, and game data.

 

[windows7User3]

Interesting, I was wondering about doing that... creating a new partition, installing the new Windows 64 bit to that partition and then transferring files across.

Thanks for your input...

Don't do that. That will cause problems. Also, the program files will be for 32 bit and you will be switching to 64 bit, so a lot of programs probably won't work. Also, you can just use Windows Easy transfer:http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html
This will NOT transfer your programs, but it will transfer all user data, program settings, and game data.

Windows 64 runs almost all 32 bit programs I did it and all my stuff runs just fine

 

[richard4911]

Thank you for that info windude

 

[pparks1]

I mainly use my laptop for image editing using either Photoshop CS6 or Capture NX2.

I've noticed that with each upgrade of the applications you need more memory to keep up.

I'm not sure how much luck you willl have getting 32gb into a laptop, and it might be very pricey as you would need large dimms as you likely only have 2 memory slots.

8gb would probably be plenty, and 16gb would likely be total overkill. If you are doing this to increase performance, I would advise some more reading first or you might be disappointed with the results.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Given your usage, which is indentical to my wife's primary computer usage, I would doubt you'd even notice a difference between 4 and 8 GB of memory, to be honest. We have a Nikon D40, and she edits photos for family, and also for a baseball league I coach in. All those apps, and even full blown Photoshop run perfectly fine on 4 GB of memory.

Lower your memory down to 8 GB, and then spend some of that extra cash on a good external back up drive to keep those photos safe.

 

[thebradpitt]

"Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version?

If your PC has a 64-bit capable processor (CPU), you can install a 64-bit version of Windows 7, even if you're currently running a 32-bit version. However, to install a 64-bit version of Windows 7 on a computer already running a 32-bit version, you'll need to back up your files and choose the Custom option during installation. Then, you'll need to restore your files and reinstall your programs."
Sources:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows-frequently-asked-questions
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/upgrading-to-windows-7-faq