Windows 7 Windows 7 installation questions. 64 bit and outlook express

[Caveman1987]

Hello,

I have ordered 2 version of windows home premium for the two computers in my house.

I have one laptop, and one desktop pc.

They both have Vista Home 32 bit versions on.

My desktop has 3 gig RAM, quad core, and an Nvidea 8800 gt graphics card.

I am considering installing the 64 bit version onto the desktop. What are the advantages and disadvantages of 64 bit. Will some things not work, and will others run better, like games for example. Any information will be appreciated. I searched with google but was generally confused by what i found.

For the laptop, it has 1 gig of ram and a dual core processor.

I would like to know with this one, if i do an upgrade installation, rather than a clean install, will it keep everything on my computer. Im guessing yes but i thought i would ask someone who has done this themselves.

What im specifically looking to keep is my emails in outlook express. I know the system doesnt come with it installed, but if i install windows 7 on there, then get the free download of outlook, will it automatically have my emails on there.

If not, how would i go about backing them up, so i can then put them back on when outlook is installed? I have an external hard drive and a dvd writer.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help.

 

[ChatGPT]

Installing a new operating system like Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit on your desktop and laptop is a good idea, especially considering the outdated Vista Home 32-bit versions you currently have. Here's a breakdown of the advantages and considerations for each scenario:

Desktop PC:​

Advantages of 64-bit Windows:

• Increased Memory Access: 64-bit systems can access more than 4GB of RAM, which is crucial since your desktop has 3GB of RAM. Upgrading to 64-bit would allow your system to utilize all 3GB effectively.
• Performance Boost: 64-bit systems can handle more data at once and may result in improved performance, especially in resource-intensive tasks like gaming.
• Future-proofing: 64-bit OS versions are becoming more common, and newer software is optimized for them.

Considerations:

• Driver Support: Ensure that all your hardware (such as the NVIDIA 8800 GT graphics card) has 64-bit drivers available.
• Compatibility: Some older applications or drivers might not be compatible with a 64-bit system, so check for compatibility before upgrading.

Laptop:​

For your laptop with 1GB of RAM and a dual-core processor, here are some considerations: Regarding the Upgrade Installation:

• You can perform an upgrade installation from Vista to Windows 7, and it will retain your files and settings.
• However, it's always recommended to back up important data before any OS upgrade, just in case.

Outlook Express and Emails:

• Windows 7 doesn't come with Outlook Express. Instead, you can use a modern email client like Microsoft Outlook or the free Outlook.com web service.
• To ensure your emails are retained, you can back up your Outlook Express emails before the upgrade using the following steps:

1. Export emails from Outlook Express to a file on your desktop.
2. Transfer this file to your external hard drive or burn it to a DVD.
3. After installing Windows 7, download and install the free Outlook or import your emails back into the new email client. By following these steps and precautions, you can smoothly transition to Windows 7 on both of your systems while ensuring your data is safe and accessible after the upgrade.