Go from Windows 7 32bit to 64bit

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DamageInc

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#116219 22-Apr-2013 11:10

I am currently running Windows 7 32bit (64bit capable) Home Premium, can i reinstall and choose 64bit instead? If so what is the correct procedure for doing this? No disks came with the laptop but it has a recovery partition. Also i have created recovery disks.
It does not bother me if i have to reinstall programs etc but i will need to backup photos and the like.
I am planning on purchasing more memory (currently have 2gb) in the near future and as you know 32bit only recognizes 3gb or thereabouts.

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#803601 22-Apr-2013 11:20

no , you would need to buy a 64bit edition of windows 7 and do a clean install and they are around $150 at the moment, worth it for the extra ram you can install

Common sense is not as common as you think.

dan

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#803621 22-Apr-2013 11:46

If you can find the 64bit media it generally works using the same licence key as you have for 32bit, done it half a dozentimes, just make sure the 64bit media is for the same version of windows you have.

xpd

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#803636 22-Apr-2013 12:13

dan: If you can find the 64bit media it generally works using the same licence key as you have for 32bit, done it half a dozentimes, just make sure the 64bit media is for the same version of windows you have.

+1

Key is apparently valid for 32 and 64 installs.

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DamageInc

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#803640 22-Apr-2013 12:19

Would it not be possible to reinstall from the recovery partition and choose 64bit? I'm confident the key would be fine.

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grant_k

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#803642 22-Apr-2013 12:27

DamageInc: Would it not be possible to reinstall from the recovery partition and choose 64bit? I'm confident the key would be fine.

No, they only put one set of binaries into the recovery partition as the image is customised for each particular model of laptop.

DamageInc

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#803646 22-Apr-2013 12:38

grant_k:
DamageInc: Would it not be possible to reinstall from the recovery partition and choose 64bit? I'm confident the key would be fine.

No, they only put one set of binaries into the recovery partition as the image is customised for each particular model of laptop.

Thats a bugger, waste of time buying more ram then.
I remember when i first turned it on after buying the laptop and it asked me whether i wanted 32 or 64. I chose 32 because i knew stuff all about 64bit. Thats what made me think that there was an image of both in the recovery partition, hence reinstall.

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xpd

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#803649 22-Apr-2013 12:41

If it asked you on first boot, then there is a good chance both binaries are available on the restore - might be worth a shot...

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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DamageInc

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#803652 22-Apr-2013 12:44

xpd: If it asked you on first boot, then there is a good chance both binaries are available on the restore - might be worth a shot...

thats definitely what happened xpd, surely if it asked then there must be a 64bit version hiding there somewhere. Might pay for me to try this before buying the ram.

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Batman

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#803653 22-Apr-2013 12:45

64 bit May not give you more ram if your bios is wrongly mapping your ram

one way to find out

do complete pc image backup

wipe hard drive and install 64 bit without entering a key. check how much ram u got. if there is no increase in usable ram you have your answer. if there is you also have your answer.

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#803974 22-Apr-2013 22:20

actually just partition the drive and install 64 bit on new partition to find out

delete partition when done

you don't need a key to install a trial Windows os

DamageInc

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#804005 22-Apr-2013 23:40

I think i'll give it a try, will post back at some point with an update.

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mxpress

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#804098 23-Apr-2013 09:21

grant_k:
DamageInc: Would it not be possible to reinstall from the recovery partition and choose 64bit? I'm confident the key would be fine.

No, they only put one set of binaries into the recovery partition as the image is customised for each particular model of laptop.

Sorry but you are not totally correct. Several laptops brands (inc Toshiba @ some HP models) offer you the chance of 32 or 64 bit installs on first boot up. I would suggest that the OP back up his data and do a factory install from the hidden partition first using the pre installed recovery options. It may be pleasantly surprised.

If successful, he can then add extra RAM and windows will use it.

mxpress

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#804136 23-Apr-2013 10:19

DamageInc:
grant_k:
DamageInc: Would it not be possible to reinstall from the recovery partition and choose 64bit? I'm confident the key would be fine.

No, they only put one set of binaries into the recovery partition as the image is customised for each particular model of laptop.

Thats a bugger, waste of time buying more ram then.
I remember when i first turned it on after buying the laptop and it asked me whether i wanted 32 or 64. I chose 32 because i knew stuff all about 64bit. Thats what made me think that there was an image of both in the recovery partition, hence reinstall.

You will be able to do a 64 bit install then. I've done it to customer's computers several times. Simply do a factory reinstall using the recovery options from the partition and choose 64 bit. It will take a fair while but it then means you will be able to install additional ram and windows will make use of it. After a new install is done, it will allow you to make another set of recovery discs including the windows recovery 64 bit enviroment one.

mxpress

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#804252 23-Apr-2013 12:41

make sure you backup complete pc image. my last computer going from 32 to 64 bit made no difference to usable ram - a sony low end laptop. the one before going from 32 to 64 bit unlocked all the usable ram - that was a mid-high end non business dell desktop.

grant_k

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#804292 23-Apr-2013 13:11

mxpress:
DamageInc:
grant_k:
DamageInc: Would it not be possible to reinstall from the recovery partition and choose 64bit? I'm confident the key would be fine.

No, they only put one set of binaries into the recovery partition as the image is customised for each particular model of laptop.

Thats a bugger, waste of time buying more ram then.
I remember when i first turned it on after buying the laptop and it asked me whether i wanted 32 or 64. I chose 32 because i knew stuff all about 64bit. Thats what made me think that there was an image of both in the recovery partition, hence reinstall.

You will be able to do a 64 bit install then. I've done it to customer's computers several times. Simply do a factory reinstall using the recovery options from the partition and choose 64 bit. It will take a fair while but it then means you will be able to install additional ram and windows will make use of it. After a new install is done, it will allow you to make another set of recovery discs including the windows recovery 64 bit enviroment one.

Thanks for enlightening me Denis!

Every laptop I have owned with a recovery partition didn't have the 64-bit option, so I thought they were all the same in that respect. Good to know some of them aren't.

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