Moving from 32-bit to 64-bit windows operating system

Hi,
Is it possible to upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit
version of Windows without performing file backup ?

Thx in advans,
Karthik Balaguru

karthikbalaguru wrote:
> Hi,
> Is it possible to upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit
> version of Windows without performing file backup ?
>
> Thx in advans,
> Karthik Balaguru

No.

You cannot upgrade in-place from any 32 bit operating system to any 64
bit one, you must perform a clean install.

--
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP - Windows Desktop Experience 2007-2009

As Jane says. No. Whenever you change underlying architecture, you need to
plan for and perform a "clean" install. There is never an upgrade option.
You can use the Windows Easy Transfer (WET) in Windows Vista/Windows 7 if
that is what you're installing, but be sure to use the version on the
_destination_ DVD, or a 32-bit version that is the exact same release level.
For a destination of XP x64, coming from 32-bit XP, you'll need to make sure
you have downloaded the latest version of the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard (FSTW) from Microsoft. Otherwise you risk version incompatibilities
and you might not be able to restore.

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel


"karthikbalaguru" <karthikbalaguru79@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6999e7fa-2879-40eb-a63a-22d040e3332c@o21g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> Is it possible to upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit
> version of Windows without performing file backup ?
>
> Thx in advans,
> Karthik Balaguru

Hi, Karthik.

As Jane said, it is not possible to "upgrade" from 32-bit to 64-bit (or vice
versa) at all; a clean install is required. And that implies a reformat of
the partition, which means all files are wiped out.

But that does not necessarily mean that ALL files must be backed up. No
need to back up Windows itself, of course, because all those files will be
recreated by Setup. And backing up your program files might be useless
because you'll need to reinstall those from original media after your 64-bit
Windows is installed. Even if your 32-bit program will run fine on 64-bit
Windows (and almost all of them will), you will need to install it again so
that its setup program can make the required entries in the new Windows'
Registry. (Some simple applications, of course, don't need to be
"installed" but can be run just by clicking their executable; these are
exceptions.)

But, yes, definitely back up your data files! These can be restored and
used by your re-installed programs in 64-bit Windows. Or, if you have safe
space on a separate HDD or a separate partition, copy them there before the
clean install, then point your reinstalled application to that new location
afterwards.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@grandecom.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 RC 7100

"karthikbalaguru" <karthikbalaguru79@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6999e7fa-2879-40eb-a63a-22d040e3332c@o21g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> Is it possible to upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit
> version of Windows without performing file backup ?
>
> Thx in advans,
> Karthik Balaguru

You have more than one option.

If your user files (word processor documents, pictures, videos, email store,
&c) are now in or are copied or moved to a separate directory than your
system, it is possible to use an install method that leaves them all intact.
You can simply install the 64 bit system to a separate partition, install
your applications to that or a different, separate partition.You can then
remove the old system and application directories and reclaim the space by
enlarging the new partition(s) as appropriate.

You can shrink the present partition(s), install the 64 bit system to a
separate partition. You would then install your applications. Windows 64 bit
will automatically install a boot manager you would then see when the system
starts and use to select the system for use.

Alternately, you can install 'Virtual Machine" software and install the 64
bit system on that. e.g. VMWare. You will have to install your applications.
It is usually possible to arrange to share the user files between the
original OS and the OS within the VM.

You will need valid licenses for the OS and all applications for each
installed copy. Check the appropriate license provisions for each
application. Some might provide for more than one install. E.g. Microsoft
Office Home and Student 2007 allows three.

That said, it is wise to make sure you have the install files for your
applications and back-ups of your user files, and sources for all needed 64
bit device drivers for your hardware. The Windows DVD might have many, most
or all of them but might not.

Remember, while it might be easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission
as one saying would have it, it is rarely easier to recover afterward than
to plan thoroughly.

Good luck.
Tom Ferguson


"karthikbalaguru" <karthikbalaguru79@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6999e7fa-2879-40eb-a63a-22d040e3332c@o21g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> Is it possible to upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit
> version of Windows without performing file backup ?
>
> Thx in advans,
> Karthik Balaguru

"karthikbalaguru" <karthikbalaguru79@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6999e7fa-2879-40eb-a63a-22d040e3332c@o21g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> Is it possible to upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit
> version of Windows without performing file backup ?

Lets be clear about this:

You should back up everything you want to keep on a regular basis *anyway*
but **in particular** you should make sure you backup before upgrading your
operating system. 32bit or 64bit doesn't have anything to do with it.