Windows 7 Installing Windows 7 (64-bit version) onto PC running Windows 7 (32-bit version)

[Matt Kiszelewski]

My Dell Vostro 3700 laptop original purchase allowed me an update to win 7. I had separate 32-bit update and 64-bit win 7 updates OEM discs sent to me by Dell and updated it to win 7 32-bit. Then I put in 4 more megs of ram (now have 8) but realized that I can only use the original 4 unless I change to a 64 -it win 7.
Can I easily use the other OEM win 7 update disc to install the win 7 64-bit version on my pc currently running the 32-bit version? If so, where can I read and follow specific "how to" guidance?

 

[Sonny]

If you want to install 64 bit, you will have to do a clean install. At least I did. The only way it would let me.

 

[davidhk129]

............... If so, where can I read and follow specific "how to" guidance?
You should backup any files you want to keep because clean install ( or custom install ) will wipe out everything.

Here are 2 tutorials you can read or follow:

1.Installing and reinstalling Windows
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/installing-reinstalling-windows#1TC=windows-7
scroll down and expand the entry.....
Installing a 64-bit version of Windows 7 on a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows


2.How to Do a Clean Install with an Upgrade Windows 7 Version
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[Matt Kiszelewski]

If you want to install 64 bit, you will have to do a clean install. At least I did. The only way it would let me.

THANKS III I have some studying to do..

 

[Pauli]

It shouldn't be difficult... but, but, but, I would recommend what Sonny says. Get a clean install - of course, save everything you have, before you do it, once again to preach: have your personal files in another partition or disk, other than Windows ~C, that way you need not to be concerned when you [inevitably] have to reinstall Windows.