Switching from 32 to 64 bit

[spdracer]

Hello; First time poster here,I upgraded to Windows 7 home 32 bit from xp and would like to install 64 bit. Can it be overwritten without losing programs or will I have to start from scratch like when I installed over xp? I realise drivers will have to be updated to 64 bit versions but can that be done later?

 

[pparks1]

You will have to start over I'm afraid.

 

[tw33k]

Hello; First time poster here,I upgraded to Windows 7 home 32 bit from xp and would like to install 64 bit. Can it be overwritten without losing programs or will I have to start from scratch like when I installed over xp? I realise drivers will have to be updated to 64 bit versions but can that be done later?

Welcome to the forums.
You can't upgrade from 32bit to 64bit. You have to perform a clean install. Back everything up and go for it. You need to make sure your apps are 64bit capable tho.

 

[spdracer]

Can I use the same licence key? This is the deal breaker

 

[TheVinesKid]

You need to make sure your apps are 64bit capable tho

Windows 64-bit OS' have a 32-bit emulator, so all 32-bit apps will run on a 64-bit machine. Some may be a little slow, however. But I've yet to run into one.

 

[Dave76]

Can I use the same licence key? This is the deal breaker

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, you can use the same licence key.

One key per installation, 32bit or 64bit, but not both.

 

[bobtran]

Hello; First time poster here,I upgraded to Windows 7 home 32 bit from xp and would like to install 64 bit. Can it be overwritten without losing programs or will I have to start from scratch like when I installed over xp? I realise drivers will have to be updated to 64 bit versions but can that be done later?

First....welcome to SevenForum spdracer and to answer your questions:

There is no upgrade path from x86 to x64 (clean install only). Try using "Windows Easy Transfer" to move your data files, documents, and configuration files for your applications. Just install Win7 x64, install your programs (just accept the defaults when installing) and then import your config files using the "Windows Easy Transfer" as well as your user id's and related information.

You will get a report telling you what programs you still need to re-install to make your setup match what it was on the x86 install and after the import completes your system should look just like it did on x86 right down to your task bar, documents, music, pictures, favorites, shortcuts, etc.

Good luck with your upgrade and let us know how it goes or if you have problems. I have been using x64 for years now and would not consider running x32 unless there is no other option (ie if your processor will not support x64). I haven't had any needed programs not work on x64 yet and it has been 3 years now.

I have not found drivers to be an issue myself...if you have any driver issues windows will search for the needed drivers or you can get them from your software vendors.

 

[AngelProcesser]

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Please download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. When done you will see two tabs, one marked 32 bit one 64 bit, review the 64 bit tab to see if your hardware will run W7 64 bit.

Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Before running it make sure all of your hardware is attached and on, like cameras, phones, printers, headsets, usb devices...

 

[KazeNoKoe23]

You need to make sure your apps are 64bit capable tho

Windows 64-bit OS' have a 32-bit emulator, so all 32-bit apps will run on a 64-bit machine. Some may be a little slow, however. But I've yet to run into one.

Technically that's not true. 64-bit Windows runs 32-bit apps natively, through a translation layer, so 32-bit app speed should be the same as if they were run on a 32-bit OS. Emulation was used in the Itanium days, but no longer.

Anyway, to the OP, I agree with the post before mine. Run the Upgrade Advisor and see if your hardware's up to the challenge of jumping to 64-bit. If it is, then by all means jump in. You won't regret it.

 

[TheVinesKid]

Technically that's not true. 64-bit Windows runs 32-bit apps natively, through a translation layer, so 32-bit app speed should be the same as if they were run on a 32-bit OS. Emulation was used in the Itanium days, but no longer.

The transition layer is what I meant when I said emulation, sorry, should have been more clear on that. Though upon retrospect, "emulation" isn't really the right word to use. My bad
32-bit apps would slow, back in the days of old, haha. But that problem seems to have gone away. Like I said, I've never seen it happen. But I thought it was worth a mention in case someone does run into it and can't figure out what is wrong.

 

[Dave76]

Hello; First time poster here,I upgraded to Windows 7 home 32 bit from xp and would like to install 64 bit. Can it be overwritten without losing programs or will I have to start from scratch like when I installed over xp? I realise drivers will have to be updated to 64 bit versions but can that be done later?

When installing a 64bit OS over a 32bit OS you will have to do a clean installation.
Most, if not all, of your 64bit drivers will be loaded during the installation.

Generally, most 32bit apps will run the same or better on Win7 64bit.

I have not had a 32bit program that I couldn't run on Win7 64bit.
If you have an old 32bit program you might have some issues. You can use compatibility mode.

Make a backup image of Win7 32bit before you install Win7 64bit, just in case for any reason you have problems. You will be able to restore Win7 32bit to exactly what you have today in less that 30 minutes.

 

[spdracer]

Thanks to everyone that offered help. I've been reading on this site for some time now and find it to be the best source of info for Windows 7. I will post my thoughts on the upgrade,can't believe I didn't do this with my initial install,didn't think I had a 64 bit capable processor. Looking forward to doing this. Thanks again!

 

[Dave76]

Your welcome.

If you have the 32bit Win7 setup and want to get the user accounts and personal files you can use Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers

You will still have to install your programs, but this will make it easier.

 

[Starderup]

Thanks for the advice. I have been running 64 bit Linux for quite a while, and have the same opinion. I'd not go back to 32 bit unless I had to. I'll do the same for 7.
Maybe by Windows 10, it will be as good as Ubuntu is today!

 

[clriis]

Can I use the same licence key? This is the deal breaker

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, you can use the same licence key.

One key per installation, 32bit or 64bit, but not both.

That is news to me!!

If that is so, it should be possible to obtain 64bit by download??

 

[Dave76]

Can I use the same licence key? This is the deal breaker

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, you can use the same licence key.

One key per installation, 32bit or 64bit, but not both.

That is news to me!!

If that is so, it should be possible to obtain 64bit by download??

When you buy any Windows 7 you will get a 32bit and 64bit DVD and one licence key.
You can install 32bit or 64bit, but the key is only good for one OS.

For the last couple of years MS and most OEMs will send you a 64bit equivalent OS DVD for free or for shipping costs.