Upgrade to Windows 8.1

[techhead287]

Hello,
I am thinking of upgrading to Windows 8.1, and I have 2 questions:

First, here are my specs:
Processor: Intel Atom, dual core, 1.66GHz
RAM: 1GB
OS: Windows 7 Starter

Question 1:
Can I stick a Windows 8.1 64-bit upgrade disc into my 32-bit operating system, run the setup exe, and upgrade to Windows 8.1 while keeping all of my programs, files and settings, or would I have to use the 32-bit disc?

Question 2:
Is Windows 8.1 supposed to be lighter than Windows 7, and the 64-bit architecture being faster too? If I have a 20-second boot time and 30-second shutdown time with Windows 7 Starter and a 32-bit operating system, would that be faster or slower with Windows 8.1 and a 64-bit operating system?

Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

Here's how to do an Upgrade Install from Windows 7 or Vista to Windows 8

You can get more information at Windows 8 Forums.



I would stick with Win7 since Win8 is more of a tablet OS which goes in a different direction than the perfect desktop experience achieved in Win7.

 

[Mark Phelps]

Question 1:
Can I stick a Windows 8.1 64-bit upgrade disc into my 32-bit operating system, run the setup exe, and upgrade to Windows 8.1 while keeping all of my programs, files and settings, or would I have to use the 32-bit disc?

NO -- can only "upgrade" from 32-bit to 32-bit, and from 64-bit to 64-bit.

Question 2:
Is Windows 8.1 supposed to be lighter than Windows 7, and the 64-bit architecture being faster too?

I run both on my desktop and see no performance difference.

If I have a 20-second boot time and 30-second shutdown time with Windows 7 Starter and a 32-bit operating system, would that be faster or slower with Windows 8.1 and a 64-bit operating system?

Win8 is only "faster" booting because it has a form of hibernation enabled by default, so yes, it might reboot faster than Win7. But, with only an Atom processor and 1GB or RAM, there may not be a noticeable improvement.

And while it was designed to support touch-screens, Win8 can also be run in desktop mode -- like Win7.