Upgrading from 32-bit Vista to 64-bit Windows 7

[Rayenasa]

Vista 32-bit can be upgraded to Windows 7 64-bit using the Upgrade version.

Using the upgrade disks will allow you only to upgrade a 32-bit Vista to a 32-bit Windows 7. Inserting the Windows 7 64-bit upgrade disk will give a message that you can not upgrade a 32-bit Vista to a 64-bit Windows 7. The upgrade disk is a non-bootable DVD, so doing a clean install can not be done directly from the DVD.

How ever there is work around. Keep in mind that moving from 32-bit to 64-bit always means a fresh install!!

What you need is both the Windows 7 332-bit and 64-bit upgrade disks and follow these steps:

-Insert the 32-bit upgrade disk

-Wait for the window with "Install Now" to be displayed.

-Click "Install now"

-When asked, go online to download updates

-Accept license terms

-Wait for the window with the option for Upgrade or Custom/Advanced to appear

-When this window is displayed, eject the 32-bit upgrade disk and insert the 64-bit upgrade disk

-Select Custom/Advanced

-Select the disk and partition on which you want to do the new install

-If you select a disk with an existing Windows installation, you need to confirm you want to install on that disk

-The installation will start with copying Windows files and then Expanding Windows files

-Now the PC will be rebooted, while rebooting pay close attention and wait for the "PRESS ANY KEY TO BOOT FROM CD/DVD" message and hit any key. This step is crucial to this installation so be sure not to miss it. If you do miss this step, then the installation will fail with a DOS window........... You then have to start over again.

You now have created a situation where the installation actually starts all over, however there is no check if your existing OS is 32-bit or 64-bit. So the installation continues:

-Enter your region / language / keyboard settings

-Wait for the windows with "Install Now" to be displayed.

-Click "Install now"

-Accept license terms

-Select Custom/Advanced installation

-Select the disk and partition on which you want to do the new install

-The installation will start with copying Windows files, takes little time and then Expanding Windows files, which is now very slow, so be patient!!!!

-Follow the steps to complete your installation

That's it, your done.

I have tested this on both a Vista 32-bit laptop and a Vista 32-bit desktop and both have now Windows 7 64-bit installed on it.

Verry nice now is there a way tp dp it once you've already got windows 7 32bit U;timate installed..?