I am trying to go from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Windows 7.

[Complete]

I am trying to go from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Windows 7.

The 32 bit Vista was installed by mistake. My system can handle a 64 bit OS. Now I have finally found the time to upgrade. But the 64 bit intallation DVD can't be read from my OS. Any Advice?

Do I need to boot from that DVD drive? Will that work?

[Boo Berry]

You can't perform an upgrade from a 32-bit OS to a 64-bit OS. You'll need to do a clean install and reformat.

[Crisp]

Externally back-up all your data. Then do a fresh clean format / install.

[xdot.tk]

But the 64 bit intallation DVD can't be read from my OS. Any Advice?

Bad disk or bad reader. Test them both.

[Japlabot]

Download and Install Windows Easy Transfer for Windows 7 on Vista. Save data to an external drive with it. Install Windows 7 x64 and use easy transfer (built into a windows 7) to load your data back on. Reinstall all of your programs.

[TAZMINATOR]

Are you sure your laptop or computer is 64bit compatible? Use a 64bit checker to make sure ... otherwise you won't be able to install 64bit OS on it if it is not compatible. So you will use Windows 7 32bit instead.

If it is compatible, then do a clean install as others have said. Not upgrade.

[PGHammer]

Externally back-up all your data. Then do a fresh clean format / install.

Or install to a different partition/drive (different drive by preference).

Yes - you CAN do a clean install from upgrade media (this has been possible since 9x/NT); all that is required is that a qualifying product be accessible during the installation (first stage or second stage - for NT-based Windows, it's the second stage).

Also, you can import (via Files and Settings Transfer) from x32 to x64 - I have, in fact, done so.

Still, a clean install *is* preferable (of the old applications, if you want to still use them).

Suggestion/tip - if an x64 version of an application is available, use that instead (unless constrained by plug-ins or add-ons for the application in question); I crossgraded from Firefox to Waterfox and (thanks to having already installed the x64 versions of my plug-ins), I basically hit the ground running. NOTE - GreaseMonkey (and scripts developed for it) *are* compatible with Waterfox.

[McKay]

When I went from 32bit to 64bit, I had to put the disk in, reboot and boot from disk.