Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

Skajd — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:12:18 GMT

Well it is now 5 years into the future since this conversation was started. As you know 64 bit is where it's at now and Vista has been booted out by Windows 7.

I recently bought a new Acer i7 laptop with all top specs and Windows 7. I hate Windows 7. I like Vista. So what I did was buy a Vista home basic installation disc from a mall in Bangkok and I am so much happier using good old Vista than horrible Windows 7 - I guess it's all about what you are used to using and feel comfortable with.

The Vista basic disc only cost £20/$30 so pretty cheap nowadays.

But I will be starting again with a fresh install of either Vista Premium 64 bit or maybe go for Vista Ultimate 64.

But this thread here is very interesting and useful to read. I hope all you guys have managed to sort out all your 32 to 64 problems in the past 5 years ;)

I'm sure you've all got new computers by now with loads of RAM an GBs and x64s and all .... I guess I'm going back in time by going back to Vista but I do like Vista ...

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

MattMcSpirit — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:49:02 GMT

Hi James,

This link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx is working for me - I've followed the links right through to asking for a Product Key.

With regards to programs - this is where it may get difficult, as there is no way, without reinstallation, to move Program Files between PCs. You wouldn't necessarily need to buy it again (Office), but I would call Microsoft (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929) - you should be able to contact them with contact details provided within Office 2007. They should be able to help you activate, seeing as it's the same PC, just with a different OS version. In terms of Norton - you could call them, or alternatively, use a free alternative, like Microsoft Security Essentials.

You could, finally, contact Acer about your x64 media. Regardless that you bought it from Comp USA, Acer make the machine, so they should provide you with guidance, should the top suggestion here fail.

Hope that helps,

Matt

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

James — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:37:45 GMT

Matt,

I been reading all these posts and i still have a few questions. I am currently running vista premium 32 bit version and i would like to upgrade to 64 bit. When i followed the link to select the 64bit DVD upgrade and select the language, it takes me to the vista homepage and thats it. There is no page telling me anything about a 64bit DVD.??? Did i do something wrong?

Anyways, my other question is when i back up my files and stuff, why cant you backup program files? Does this mean i have to go buy microsoft office student again? Thats a lot of money to spend just upgrade to a different bit version. I am a gamer and soon will have my new gaming computer together and running. In order for me to run 4GB+ and extreme performance i need vista premium x64.

I have most of my program disks still like games and hardware intall disks but i dont have my office student and home or my norton. Thats because it has been used up (installed on the max allowed pc's) Is there anyway i can save these types of programs?

Also, i saw a post above that stated to contact your OEM computer builder (currently i have an Acer e700) to get the x64 bit disk from them? How will they know i bought there computer? And the store i bought my computer from went our business (comp USA)?

So all i want to do is upgrade to 64 prem and save my important programs like office and norton and not have to spend $400+ just on software to upgrade.

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

MattMcSpirit — Sat, 09 May 2009 10:52:45 GMT

Hi Todd,

I think you need a separate key for x64, so you'd have to contact whoever you got the x64 version off, whether it's your OEM etc.

Alternatively, why don't you upgrade to the release candidate of Windows 7 x64? You can download it for free, and the eval x64 key you recieve is good until March 1, 2010, at which point, you'd need to upgrade to the released version (which will ship way before this date!).

Win 7 is a fantastic improvement on Vista, and you can download it here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

Matt

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

Todd — Sat, 09 May 2009 04:20:23 GMT

I just bought a notebook running 32bit Vista Premium, and wish to "upgrade" it to x64. I have x64 on my desktop, could I simply reinstall using my x64 disc but enter the original 32-bit serial from my new notebook?

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

MattMcSpirit — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:52:28 GMT

Hi Jason,

Hmmm - tricky one. If you're currently running XP 32bit, and you've bought the Vista RED Upgrade (http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-Vista-Ultimate-SP1-32-and-64-Bit-Upgrade-PRODUCT-REDTM/product/F2E929DF) you should have the 32bit and 64bit media in the box, which would give you the keys for both. You could stick with 32bit, install Vista SP1 upgrade, and you'd be good to go.

If you want to deploy x64, which unless you have applications that take advantage of x64 (or greater than 4GB RAM) I wouldn't advise it - I'm running 32bit Windows 7 now, and it fly's along. If you still want to 'upgrade' to x64, this is where it will be difficult as you'll need an x64 'base OS'.

You could always go to Sony and ask them for the original x64 media, flatten the machine to x64 Vista Business, and then upgrade with your RED version.

Hope that helps,

Matt

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

Jason — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:13:42 GMT

Hey Matt, kinda a similar question with a twist. I have a Notebook that is downgraded with XP Pro 32 bit from Windows Business 32 bit... It's likely OEM since it was done off of Sony DVD's that came with the computer. I purchased a Vista Ultimate Product Red upgrade key and media from MS through an offer to students. I know I will have to do a clean install I don't have any info on the hard drive yet, but the key is for an "upgrade"

I don't have the DVD yet, that will take a few weeks, but they sent me the files, and a buddy is making me a bootable DVD from them... Am I going to run into many issues going from 32 to 64 with an "upgrade" key? From what I have read all the DVD's are the same being either 32 bit or 64 bit, it's just the key that determines what version you have (home prem, full, upgrade, etc...)

Thanks for any input!

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

MattMcSpirit — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:45:19 GMT

Hi Eric,

Going from x86 to x64 is a wipe and reload I'm afraid - you're fundamentally changing architectures, so an inplace upgrade is not possible.

In terms of what you'd need to do:

If you have purchased a full license together with a Windows Vista DVD, follow these steps:

Back up all the data and settings by using Windows Easy Transfer. Windows Easy Transfer is available on the Windows Vista DVD. However, you must use the version that is on the Windows Vista DVD for your currently installed 32-bit version of Windows Vista.

Insert the 64-bit version of Windows Vista into the system DVD drive, and then restart the computer.

Start Windows Vista Setup from the DVD when you are prompted.

Note You must start Windows Vista Setup by starting the computer from the Windows Vista 64-bit DVD. The installation package will not run on a 32-bit operating system.

When you are prompted during Windows Vista Setup, remember to select Custom as your installation choice.

When the installation is complete, you can restore the data from its backup location.

You will still have to reinstall your programs, so make sure you have the discs, or install files handy when the x64 installation has completed.

Alternatively, you may want to wait to try out the x64 version of Windows 7 - the Release Candidate is just around the corner and would give you a performance boost over Vista.

Matt

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

EricO — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:56:37 GMT

Now for something completely different. I have 32-bit Vista Ultimate on a separate internal drive of my Apple Mac Pro (installed from a Vista Upgrade DVD). I access it using Boot Camp. I'd also like to switch over to 64-bit Vista so I can take full advantage of the twin Xeon processors and 6GB of RAM.

I'd have to connect an NTFS-formatted external drive and do a backup from within Windows, which is more complicated when the actual hardware is Mac. Will I have to wipe my Windows drive and do a new install as well...and deal with upgrading from nothing, since there's no prior 64-bit OS to work from?

Thanks!

re: Upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows Vista

MattMcSpirit — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:25:44 GMT

Hey Luke,

Thanks for the post. Now, this isn't something that Microsoft provide if your OS has come shipped on the hardware, OEM. You'd need to contact the OEM and explain the situation, and they should be able to send you out the x64 media of Vista Home Premium.

Microsoft, as shown at the bottom here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/64-bit.aspx, will only ship out x64 media to those customers who've bought a retail copy of Vista, so in this scenario, you'd be best contacting the OEM. I assure you, you won't have been the first to do it!

Final option is, wait until the Release Candidate of Windows 7 is out, and download it for free from the web - it should come with a trial key, that will last at least until the final release of Windows 7, at which point, you may find that you prefer it to Vista, and you want to buy a copy.

Final point i'd raise is, think about why you want to go to x64. I have 4GB RAM in my box, and I still run 32bit Vista/Win7, because I don't actually use any x64 applications, it's not necessary to me.

Hope that helps,

Matt