Moving from Win7 32bit to x64

[FunkyCris]

Hello all,

Forgive the noobishness but just a small question

I'm currently running a 32bit download upgrade version of Windows 7 Home Premium, I got this through the 'Ultimate Steal' promotion where UK University students could download the upgrade for a reduced price, I upgraded from Vista Premium 32bit.

I now wish to change to the 64-bit version of Win7 Ultimate. I only have the one hard drive, which I will fully re-format in installation of the 64-bit version.

I can get the 64bit Win7 Upgrade disc for the nicely reduced price of £55 through a student software website.

Would I be able to re-format and install Win7 Ult 64-bit using this disc? Or will I need to purchase the full retail (non-upgrade) Package to do so?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Cris

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello, Welcome!

Since you have an existing Windows OS, you qualify for the upgrade. You will need to do a clean install, however. Instructions can be found here.

Hope this helps,
~Jonathan

 

[FunkyCris]

Thanks John.

 

[FunkyCris]

I just had a look at the site from which I was going to buy the Win7 Ultimate 64bit dvd and it states this:

Please Note: changes to UK release of Microsoft Windows 7
Software4Students ask all our customers to please note that Microsoft have recently made a number of changes to the European release of Microsoft Windows 7. Please be aware that while this is subject to change, the latest information that we have is as follows:

This version of Windows 7 ships as an upgrade edition. It is NOT possible or permitted to perform a clean install with this product. You must have an existing valid Windows operating system on your hard disk. All editions of Windows 7 will now include the Internet Explorer 8 web browser as standard.


Does this mean that this disc will ONLY upgrade from another 64bit version of Windows, and not allow me to custom/clean install Win7 x64 from win7 32bit by booting from the disc and formatting the drive and custom installing?

thanks

 

[Jonathan_King]

I am not qualified to answer that question. I will get some more help.

 

[FunkyCris]

Thanks very much for the help Jonathan

 

[myzr7]

I just had a look at the site from which I was going to buy the Win7 Ultimate 64bit dvd and it states this:

Please Note: changes to UK release of Microsoft Windows 7
Software4Students ask all our customers to please note that Microsoft have recently made a number of changes to the European release of Microsoft Windows 7. Please be aware that while this is subject to change, the latest information that we have is as follows:

This version of Windows 7 ships as an upgrade edition. It is NOT possible or permitted to perform a clean install with this product. You must have an existing valid Windows operating system on your hard disk. All editions of Windows 7 will now include the Internet Explorer 8 web browser as standard.


Does this mean that this disc will ONLY upgrade from another 64bit version of Windows, and not allow me to custom/clean install Win7 x64 from win7 32bit by booting from the disc and formatting the drive and custom installing?

thanks

I am in the states so have not seen this yet but looks like to me you meet the requirements of having a previous legal copy of windows and should be able to do a custom install. The wording is confusing but the intent is that you cannot slap the upgrade on a blank disc. Which you say you are not going to do. Good luck to you in this gray area.

 

[FunkyCris]

Thanks for your reply myzr7,

But does completely reformatting the drive, thus removing previous windows versions not mean doing a clean/custom install on what is a blank disk after re-formatting?

The fact it says 'not possible' is confusing, does this mean the 'Custom install' option is removed completely?

Looking through the forums it seems there is/was a lot of confusion regarding upgrade packages

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Cris:

We saw similarly worded, imprecise, fuzzy descriptions for the standard Windows 7 upgrade disc.

People all over the net, including Microsoft employees, were saying that you could not do a clean install with the retail upgrade disk. Some MS documents implied as much.

Turns out they were dead wrong--at the top of their voice.

That doesn't mean your offer might in fact not allow a clean install, but I would not put much creedence in a boilerplate statement like you have quoted.

Best advice--either try it or find somebody who has for a first hand opinion.

 

[myzr7]

Thanks for your reply myzr7,

But does completely reformatting the drive, thus removing previous windows versions not mean doing a clean/custom install on what is a blank disk after re-formatting?

The fact it says 'not possible' is confusing, does this mean the 'Custom install' option is removed completely?

Looking through the forums it seems there is/was a lot of confusion regarding upgrade packages

There has been a considerable amount of documentation on the web about this subject. I will try to have a look if I can find a definate answer from MS. However I am sure that I have seen it said that the upgrade install disk first looks for a legal install of a prior windows version, After finding that it offers you the choice of a custom install or upgrade install. What MS is calling a clean install is one that has no prior version installed on the drive. I will see if I can find that paticular artical for you. I know that you have the need to know before putting up the cash. I know I would too.

 

[FunkyCris]

Thankfully Microsoft have schemes like this to support UK students, (dunno if there are similar deals for US Students) It would still be annoying to buy software I couldn't use though

 

[myzr7]

Thankfully Microsoft have schemes like this to support UK students, (dunno if there are similar deals for US Students) It would still be annoying to buy software I couldn't use though

Known blogger Ed Bott says it happens a bit differnt than I thought but still agrees that its legit to do.
Finally, some answers to Windows 7 upgrade questions | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com

How about 32-bit to 64-bit upgrades?
You can’t run the 64-bit installer from an existing 32-bit Windows installation (or vice-versa). Here’s how you have to do it instead. Start your computer using the 64-bit installation media. When prompted, choose the Custom installation option:

You’ll be warned that your current installation of Windows will be moved to Windows.old. That’s fine. Continue with the installation, entering your product key when prompted. Because a previous Windows installation was on your system drive (and is now located in Windows.old), you should be able to activate.

 

[FunkyCris]

Many thanks for that myzr7
So I'm guessing the confusingly worded 'not possible to do a clean install' in regards to the European releases just means you can't install it on a fresh hard drive and do the 'double install' trick.

But I will still be able to re-format and remove the 32bit install the 64bit version in it's place using custom install. Seeing as if Microsoft removed this ability completely it would mean less people upgrading due to being in situations such as myself.

Many thanks again.

 

[gregrocker]

If you want to change from 32 bit to 64 bit then why not use the same license you already purchased?

All licenses are good for either 32 bit OR 64 bit, just not both at the same time.

Find a 64 bit installer for your version (installers contain all versions but some are hidden), boot install it over your 32 bit OS and it should accept the key.

If you have questions whether this is the case in your country, contact tech support for the Win7 your purchased which is always included in the price.

You can achieve the clean install from boot required for switching to 64 bit and still use an Upgrade version because the DVD scans the HD for installed OS to allow use of Upgrade version key, before you format.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If the disc is like the ordinary US version, you CAN do a clean install on a brand new hard drive, regardless of any warnings. If I had to guess, I'd guess that disc will work the same way--but that is just a guess.

The only fine print is that the EULA requires that you own a qualifying operating system.

 

[tapuz]

what i have read up on this, it is not possible to upgrade from 32 to 64.
the only option is a clean install.
the folowing is not to say that legally you are alowed to do this, you should check this up yourself.
there is an option of borrowing someone else's 32 installation disc, and making a clean installation. without putting in a serial #, then "upgrading" with your disc. it shpuld work.
another option is to do a clean install with your disc, and then again install with the same disc, calling it a upgradenever tried it myself, but they say it works.
the firs is prefered, mostly you save yourself a lot of time.

you can partition first in case your worried if it really works.
the first way definitely works.

 

[gregrocker]

what i have read up on this, it is not possible to upgrade from 32 to 64.
the only option is a clean install.
the folowing is not to say that legally you are alowed to do this, you should check this up yourself.
there is an option of borrowing someone else's 32 installation disc, and making a clean installation. without putting in a serial #, then "upgrading" with your disc. it shpuld work.
another option is to do a clean install with your disc, and then again install with the same disc, calling it a upgradenever tried it myself, but they say it works.
the firs is prefered, mostly you save yourself a lot of time.

you can partition first in case your worried if it really works.
the first way definitely works.

It is not possible to in-place Upgrade from 32- to 64-bit, but the Upgrade version can be used to clean install. All you need under the EULA is qualifying XP/Vista on hand which is not used while Upgrade is used.

If you boot from the Win7 64 bit installer to clean install, it will scan the HD to see the 32 bit OS and allow the Upgrade key. It only needs to see an OS. You can then delete and repartition as you wish, format and install..

 

[Dom]

Yes, just to clarify this is possible, I have done the upmost update of Windows->
Vista Home Basic x86
to
7 Ultimate x64

With an upgrade disc, but I did a clean install and here I am

 

[myzr7]

Lil' Dom, Thanks for sharing your real world experience. This should give the OP the confidence to forge ahead with his upgrade/clean/custom install.

 

[Dom]

Lil' Dom, Thanks for sharing your real world experience. This should give the OP the confidence to forge ahead with his upgrade/clean/custom install.

No problem
I didn't know there could be problems with the custom install with a repair disc, i was aware if the 32-bit to 64-bit dangers, but checked the Intel website to ensure the processor was 64-bit compatible, and it was.