Upgrading from Windows ultimate 32bit to Ultimate 64bit

[AxArchy]

Can I upgrade from Windows ultimate 32bit ver 6.1 ( build 7600) to windows 7 ultimate 64bit edition and keep all of my installed programs and files ?

[meaning not having them moved to a new folder called windows.old] :huh:

 

[theog]

No, you will need to do a clean install.
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/46168-windows-7-upgrade-paths-faq.html

 

[Wallonn7]

Can I upgrade from Windows ultimate 32bit ver 6.1 ( build 7600) to windows 7 ultimate 64bit edition and keep all of my installed programs and files ?

[meaning not having them moved to a new folder called windows.old] :huh:

Hi buddy and welcome to SF!
No. You can not upgrade across architectures, 64bit to 32bit and vice versa, I mean.

"PLEASE REP ANYONE WHO HELPS YOU"

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Sorry, but you can only do a clean install when going from 32-bit to 64-bit, or the other way around.

The main thing is to make sure that you have 64-bit drivers available for all of your devices, and that your 32-bit programs will support and run in 64-bit Vista. Most do, but some utility or system type programs may not.

This link below can help explain the main differences between a 32-bit and 64-bit OS though.

64-bit: More than just the RAM - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

This was copied from a Brink's post to a similar question.