Changing from 32 bit to 64 bit, how to...

Good evening folks,

I inadvertantly installed win 7 32 bit on having to reinstall Windows a few weeks back, without realising (Yes, I know...!), and have since upgraded to Windows 10 (32 bit).
Some of my programs will work better under 64 bit. Once I've moved everything to a safe place, can I reinstall Windows 7 (64 bit), and then upgrade to Windows 10 (64 bit)?, and will it be easy to activate?.

Thanks in advance.

Very Best Wishes,
Bob.

Bristolian said:

Good evening folks,

I inadvertantly installed win 7 32 bit on having to reinstall Windows a few weeks back, without realising (Yes, I know...!), and have since upgraded to Windows 10 (32 bit).
Some of my programs will work better under 64 bit. Once I've moved everything to a safe place, can I reinstall Windows 7 (64 bit), and then upgrade to Windows 10 (64 bit)?, and will it be easy to activate?.

Thanks in advance.

Very Best Wishes,
Bob.

Unfortunately changing from 32-bit to 64-bit or 64-bit to 32-bit requires a clean install so be sure to back up to other media anything you created or that exists nowhere else or it usually will be lost.

Bristolian said:

Once I've moved everything to a safe place, can I reinstall Windows 7 (64 bit), and then upgrade to Windows 10 (64 bit)?, and will it be easy to activate?.

Thanks in advance.

Very Best Wishes,
Bob.

There is no need to install 64bit Windows 7 first and upgrade. You can clean install the 64bit version of the exact same Windows 10 32bit you have now. When it asks you for a product key, click the tiny text that says "Skip" or "Do this later". You will skip or do this later 2 or 3 times. In the end Windows 10 will retrieve the previous activation from Microsoft activation servers based on hardware information stored on their servers during the activation of your current Windows 10 32bit.

Obtain the Windows 10 installation files and create a DVD or USB for installing Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool. Since you are currently running 32bit, you need to run the 32bit MCT and use that to retrieve and make either a 64bit or a dual 32/64bit Windows 10 installation USB or DVD:
Windows 10

Note: The second image only shows you the choices available, not necessarily the correct choices for your version of windows!

NavyLCDR said:

There is no need to install 64bit Windows 7 first and upgrade. You can clean install the 64bit version of the exact same Windows 10 32bit you have now. When it asks you for a product key, click the tiny text that says "Skip" or "Do this later". You will skip or do this later 2 or 3 times. In the end Windows 10 will retrieve the previous activation from Microsoft activation servers based on hardware information stored on their servers during the activation of your current Windows 10 32bit.

Obtain the Windows 10 installation files and create a DVD or USB for installing Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool. Since you are currently running 32bit, you need to run the 32bit MCT and use that to retrieve and make either a 64bit or a dual 32/64bit Windows 10 installation USB or DVD:
Windows 10

Note: The second image only shows you the choices available, not necessarily the correct choices for your version of windows!

Thank you very much indeed for your help :).

Very Best Wishes,
Bob.