Upgrading from Windows 7 32-bit to 64-bit

[Hawk xSx]

I am looking to upgrade Windows 7 32-bit to 64-bit.

However, I want to make sure that when I do so, my data (personal folders such as: music, photos, video, etc) will stay in tact.

I understand I will have to reinstall all programs and games, etc (for registry reasons)

I just want to make sure I won't lose data in the process.
- I know others will say "you should always make a back-up", but at this time I don't have a way to (otherwise I would do a clean install).


So can I just clarification on this? Thanks in advance.

 

[ba5ik]

There is always a way to backup.. how big is your HDD?

 

[kegobeer]

You must do a clean install if you move from a 32 bit OS to a 64 bit OS.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1818-upgrade-install-windows-7-a.html?filter[2]=General Tipshttp://www.sevenforums.com/installa...ck-reference-list-installing-windows-7-a.html

 

[Hawk xSx]

I have a 640GB HDD with roughly 100GB left.

 

[ba5ik]

Use this to resize your drive then you back up all your data to the new partition and simply move it back after the 64bit install

 

[ba5ik]

YIKES!... no offense but that is bad storage management.... can you borrow a freinds external drive?

 

[Hawk xSx]

Yeah I figure I should have done a partition for Windows upon the clean install.

I can probably find one. I might just wait til I can get a 2nd HDD and then do it at that time.

I was just curious if I could install over my current. Thanks for the info.

 

[ba5ik]

You are going to have to resize the drive in increments. Start by making that 100GB of space into a new partition. then move over data(don't copy it, you are trying to free up space remember) now resize the windows partition by just a little smaller then space you freed up and merge it into your 100GB making it bigger, and then moving more data over... wash, rinse, repeat.

Its going to take some time but you can do it.

 

[Hawk xSx]

Wow that's a great idea! Thank you, I will do that!!