Upgrading 32-bit Win7 to 64-bit Win10?

Winfried · 26 Oct 2021

Hello,

My aging 32-bit Win7 home computer needs to go, as it's no longer supported by Microsoft and updates of some of the apps I use are no longer available in 32-bits.

But I don't have the courage to perform a clean install on a new computer, which would involve reinstalling and migrating the over 60 different applications I commonly use. I don't need a more powerful computer, and moving to 64-bit Windows will finally give me access to the extra 4GB that are currently off-limit.

So… with either Clonezilla or Macrium Reflect, I'm thinking of 1) imaging/cloning the C drive where the system + apps are installed, 2) perform a test upgrade to 64-bit Win10, and 3) see if everthing works. If it does, I'll then perform the upgrade with the real drive.

The test drive could be USB-connected, but if Windows can't boot from an external drive, I can remove it from its USB box, and plug it directly onto the mobo.

Any advice appreciated.

Thank you.

PS: FWIW, here's what the hardware looks like; Since 32-bit Windows can only handle up to 4GB of RAM, the extra 4GB aren't actually usable until I upgrade to 64-bit Windows

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit SP1

CPU: AMD A8-3850

RAM: 8,00GB DDR3 @ 665MHz

Motherboard: ASRock A75M-ITX

Graphics: ATI AMD Radeon HD 6550D (ASRock)

Storage: 931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZRX-00L4HB0 ATA Device (SATA )

Optical Drives: TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633J ATA Device

Audio: Realtek High Definition Audio

Try3 · 26 Oct 2021

To upgrade, you would use a procedure that is very much like the In-place upgrade [aka Repair install] procedure.
It does not give you a choice of 32 / 64 bit.
Upgrade to Windows 10 - TenForumsTutorials
Repair Install - TenForumsTutorials

You could try asking in that first thread but I don't think you will find a solution.

Welcome to TenForums,
Denis

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Winfried · 26 Oct 2021

Thanks. "In-place Upgrade" looks good.

Try3 · 26 Oct 2021

But it will not achieve the 32 to 64 bit transition you wanted. Only a clean install will do that.
Clean Install - TenForumsTutorials

Denis

bobkn · 26 Oct 2021

It is not permitted to upgrade a 32 bit Windows to a 64 bit one. Never has been, as far a I know.

A clean install would be your only option.

Sorry.

I hope that you have installers for all of your applications, and that none of them are 16 bit applications (or 32 bit applications with 16 bit installers). Win X64 won't run 16 bit software.

Winfried · 26 Oct 2021

Argh!

dalchina · 26 Oct 2021

To add to the possible pain it may be that some of those programs are older and have no 64 bit version, or you may have old devices with no driver available for a 64 bit O/S.

There's also the possibility of losing a license for a program if you have to use a later version on a 64 bit system.

As you may know, MS's goal is to no longer provide 32 bit versions of Windows.
Microsoft stops offering 32-bit Windows 10 to computer manufacturers | Engadget
RIP: Microsoft to drop support for Windows 10 on 32-bit systems

Winfried · 26 Oct 2021

I'll go through the list, but it's unlikely important apps aren't available in 64-bit versions.

But do I have to upgrade apps as well? Can't Windows run 32-bit apps just fine?

dalchina · 26 Oct 2021

It depends on the particular program and whether it is compatible. You may need a later version...

Win 10 supports compatibility mode of course, and that can help.

It's case by case- if some programs haven't been updated for years, they may or may not run... popular ones should not be an issue, normally.

Winfried · 26 Oct 2021

I'll bite the bullet then… eventually :-/