Upgrade Windows 7 32 bit to 64 bit

[torszula]

I currently have 32 bit Windows 7. Is there an upgrade path to 64 bit without having to reinstall all my apps and backing up the data? what is the best method to upgrade fro 32 to 64?

 

[Brink]

Hello Torszula,

I'm sorry, but the only way to go from 32-bit to 64-bit (or the other way around) is to do a clean install.

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

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[LMiller7]

There is a far greater difference between a 32 bit and a 64 bit OS than just 32 bits. The similar user interface tends to hide the fact that internally they are really quite different. So different that Microsoft did not consider it practical to design a 32 bit to 64 bit upgrade. 64 bit operating systems do not have an inherent capability to run 32 bit applications but must be designed in, and it isn't simple.

A 64 bit OS can run most 32 bit applications but there are exceptions. Be sure an important application isn't one of them. A 64 bit OS must use 64 bit drivers, no exceptions. Be sure that all of your hardware has compatible drivers. This isn't as big an issue as it once was but still needs to be considered.