W10 gradual move to 64 bit

This maybe a strange question but at the moment I have W10 32 bit working well on one of my machines. Also loaded on the machine are many other programmes which I use on a daily basis plus loads of links etc. to my network and backup facilities.

I want to upgrade the machine to 64 bit but of course this will take some time as I will then have to install loads of software and due to the age of the machine will also need to tweak a few of the drivers (which I also had to do for 32 bit running and also have already done on another identical 64 bit machine). Its not a thing I can complete in just a few hours.

So my question is this - If I install an new hdd and load W10 64 bit for an iso to test all is working well with additional memory installed in the machine etc - can I then swap back to the old HDD to use the machine for periods, then swap back to the 64 bit system again at a later date to complete the software installations etc? I really don't want to be without the full facilities of the machine for any length of time and the ability to swap between 32 and 64 bit for a while would be really useful.

My main worry is will MS licencing go potty due to the same machine seemingly having a 32 bit then a 64 bit, then 32 bit again and eventually 64 bit versions of their W10 software? I certainly don't want to have any licensing issues and have no wish to have to buy an additional licence

That's what I was hoping.

I assume once you have an active installation, then whether you use 32 or 64 bit is very much up to you and does not affect the licence

The license is valid for either 32 or 64 bit, but not at the same time. If you have 2 separate installations with the same license it is likely that at some point one or both will become invalid.

LMiller7 said:

The license is valid for either 32 or 64 bit, but not at the same time. If you have 2 separate installations with the same license it is likely that at some point one or both will become invalid.

That is what has me a bit worried - - but I won't ever be using both 32 and 64 bit installations at the same time - it will be one or the other on the same motherboard - i.e. I would simply swap over the HDDs one with 32bit and one with 64 bit. I think I need more advise on this before I do it!

Whether both installations are being used at the same time isn't relevant. The point is that you would have 2 separate installations of the OS with one license.

joddle said:

That is what has me a bit worried - - but I won't ever be using both 32 and 64 bit installations at the same time - it will be one or the other on the same motherboard - i.e. I would simply swap over the HDDs one with 32bit and one with 64 bit. I think I need more advise on this before I do it!

Microsoft will not deactivate your license - don't worry about it.

Thanks for all your views on this - I think I will try it but only perhaps go back to the 32 bit if I really have to use the PC quickly - of course once 64 bit is all installed and running and the other software installed I wont have to revert again. Shame I can't simply "update" to 64 bit leaving everything else in place!

joddle said:

Shame I can't simply "update" to 64 bit leaving everything else in place!

Agreed. But changing from 32-bit to 64-bit or 64-bit to 32-bit always requires a clean install, okay on a new drive but will lose all data from a drive in use/already used. A 64-bit computer can run either 64-bit or 32-bit OS but not the other way around.