Upgrading 32bit XP to 64bit 7 Using Upgrade Only

[ictponder]

Anyone ever done this before? I know it works with Vista but it's been a long time and I can't remember if reformatting and doing a clean install will work without asking for prior OS verification. Just a simple boot from disc as usual?

Also, this is a computer at work so it needs to be legit once it's done.

[Alan92RTTT]

if its an upgrade copy you can not do a clean install. It has to upgrade something.

[91stealthrt2]

negative.. going from 32 to 64bit upgrade won't work. You will have to stay with 32bit OR do a clean install w/ 64bit.

[jspecmike]

negative.. going from 32 to 64bit upgrade won't work. You will have to stay with 32bit OR do a clean install w/ 64bit.

That's what I thought, I never really thought or heard anyone talk about this upgrading from 32 bit to 64bit but I didn't see that working. I would suggest you just use the user transfer if your concerned with your data and profile.

[j2k4]

negative.. going from 32 to 64bit upgrade won't work. You will have to stay with 32bit OR do a clean install w/ 64bit.

Right - can't be done.

[ictponder]

Thanks for the info. It does pose another question though. say if someone uses an upgrade disc for it's intended purpose. <some time> later the user has no option but to do a clean install, however, all they have is an upgrade disc. What solution does Microsoft offer as the user now only has a disc that cannot be used to reinstall Windows? I understand the premise of an upgrade disc ie: load it from the desktop, but even then it gives you an option to install a completely new copy of Windows, which reformats your drive.

Are you saying it won't work only because of the different CPU architecture?

[j2k4]

Thanks for the info. It does pose another question though. say if someone uses an upgrade disc for it's intended purpose. <some time> later the user has no option but to do a clean install, however, all they have is an upgrade disc. What solution does Microsoft offer as the user now only has a disc that cannot be used to reinstall Windows? I understand the premise of an upgrade disc ie: load it from the desktop, but even then it gives you an option to install a completely new copy of Windows, which reformats your drive.

Are you saying it won't work only because of the different CPU architecture?

Yes to your last.

Your scenario assumes you have the original OS (Vista?) install disc, and that a fresh install would require that, followed by the upgrade disc.

[jspecmike]

Yes to your last.

Your scenario assumes you have the original OS (Vista?) install disc, and that a fresh install would require that, followed by the upgrade disc.

Correct +1

[GTOJOE]

firstly you cannot do an upgrade from xp to 7 regardless of 32 or 64bit unless it's done via a clean install. However there is a loophole in these upgrade discs. You can do a clean install using the disc but when you try to activate it, it will give you an error message. So what you need to do is install a fresh image then while running windows put the disc in again and it will then "upgrade" the installed Windows and once completed it will allow you to activate Windows. It's a pain in the arse but it works........ well it has worked for me 3-4 times so far. Hopefully they have not fixed this loophole.

Cheers,

Joe