Solved Windows Vista 64 Home upgrade to W7 Home 32

[doncarlos]

I bought a garage sale gateway gm 5664, that is really a media center PC.

I would like to upgrade it to Windows 7 Home Basic 32 bit (Its the retail disc I have and has not been used or activated). I know its usually the other way around upgrading from a 32 bit to a 64 bit system, but I prefer to use a 32 bit version since that's the disc I have, and doubtful I really need the 64 bit and the added memory and such.

So my questions are:

Q: If I do an Upgrade install, will the original programs, or some of the original programs, remain on the computer so I can update them from Gateway site for W7) ? Of course since it's a garage sale PC I have no program software).

Q: Any issue initially with upgrading from a Vista 64 bit OS to a Windows 7 32 bit? Should be able to do that correct?

And again....the reason for the Windows 7 32 bit upgrade is because thats the disc I have.


Appreciate any responses
Don

 

[LMiller7]

There is no upgrade path from a 64 bit OS to a 32 bit OS or the reverse. That means a clean install of the OS and all applications.

 

[marsmimar]

This tutorial should help you move from Vista to Windows 7. Take note of the 3rd bullet point in the Note box:

"You can only do a clean install from 32-bit to 64-bit, or from 64-bit to 32-bit." If you follow the clean install link you should be OK.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1818-upgrade-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[DavidE]

Here is tutorial by Brink that should help:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1818-upgrade-install-windows-7-a.html

Your Win 7 key is good for 32 Bit or 64 Bit, you can use either.
You can download the official 64 Bit installer from here:
Windows 7 Direct Download Links, Official Disk Images from Digital River

Looking on the Gateway support site, I only see Vista listed as a supported OS for this PC.
Drivers & Downloads

Hopefully all the Vista drivers and programs will work with Win 7, but you might run into some compatibility issues!

 

[doncarlos]

Thanks to everyone for their immediate responses and information. If my W7 disc has the 64 bit option then I guess I can upgrade and still preserve some of the programs.

Thanks again

 

[gregrocker]

You can get the media for 64 bit from Windows 7 Direct Download Links

Burn to DVD or flash stick with Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

Then either run it from Vista to do the Upgrade, or boot it to delete all partitions and get the same perfect install as in Clean Reinstall Windows 7