How to upgrade Windows 7 Operating System from 32-bit(x86) to 64-bit(x64)

Since its launch there has been a lot of fuss around 32-bit version and 64-bit version Windows 7. In our previous article on Windows 7 FAQ, we let you know that not all 32-bit applications run smoothly on 64-bit variant of Windows 7. This was just one of the many issues with the 32-bit and 64-bit version. There could be a host of reasons to upgrade Windows 7 Operating system from 32-bit to 64-bit. If you are running a 32-bit (x86-based) operating system of either Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, there is no direct way to perform an in-place upgrade to 64-bit (x64) Windows 7.  We will let you know how to  upgrade Windows 7 OS from 32-bit version to 64-bit version.

You can’t run 64bit setup.exe Windows 7 installer from within 32bit operating system. Alternately, you might try to run the setup.exe stored in the root and sources folder of DVD disc media or ISO image. Even this doesn’t work. So you need to upgrade from 32-bit Windows OS to 64-bit WIndows OS.

Here is how you can upgrade Windows 7 OS from 32-bit  to 64-bit

Step 1: Back and save all the existing application settings and data to migrate to new system. You might use the Windows Easy Transfer.  The installed programs won’t be migrated or ported over to new Windows.

You can also manually backup the data files and personal documents, photos, images, videos, bookmarks and etc

Step 2: Boot and start up computer using the 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 installation DVD disc media. Alternately you can also use the Windows 7 install USB key flash drive. Set up the BIOS according to the device boot sequence that you need to use.
In case you are using a Windows 7 ISO, burn the image to a physical disc with a CD/DVD optical burning software such as Nero or any other CD/DVD burning software. Follow the steps below to create and make Bootable DVD Disc or USB Flash/Hard Drive from ISO Image

i) Download the Windows 7 ISO

ii) Download and install Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool and run it.

iii) Enter the name and path of Windows 7 ISO file in the Source file box. Another workaround would be to Browser and select your location. Now, click on the Next.

iv) When you get the option for Choose media type select the USB device or DVD where you wanna create a copy of Windows 7 installation media
Click on the Next

v) Insert USB flash drive into USB port, or DVD disc into DVD writer/burner tray.

vi) In order to copy the Windows 7 file to the USB flash drive, choose the USB device option from the dropdown list and click on Begin copying. For copying the file to DVD click Begin burning.

vii) WUDT will format the storage media, and  copy Windows 7 files to the media.

Now, you have a bootable USB device or DVD. To install Windows 7 navigate to the root of DVD or USB flash drive and double click the Setup.exe. Alternately, you can install Windows 7 directly from the USB key or DVD by booting from the USB key or DVD. You can directly burn the ISO direct from Windows 7 Explorer without any third-party software.

Those with x86 setup1.box and setup2.box ESD Windows 7 installation files or x64 setup1.box and setup2.box ESD Windows 7 installation files need to create and make a bootable ISO before burning.

Step 3: In the install Windows wizard prompt, select Custom(advanced)

Before you continue with the installation you can create, delete, modify or format partition volumes and hard disk drives. Those going for an Windows 7 upgrade from Windows Vista or XP  will have the files of current installation of Windows in Windows.old directory.

Step 4: Install and activate Windows 7 normally

The 32-bit setup installer can be read and run in 64-bit operating system, but the in-place downgrade is equally not supported.

This howto for installing Windows 7 will work for downgrading from 64-bit to 32-bit Windows 7 too.

Things you must know

This is for the end-users having a Windows 7 upgrade license, media and product key. We had already discussed how to upgrade Windows 7 from Windows Vista.  You must have a version of Windows Vista or XP already installed to use the upgrade version product key. That implies, even if you are looking for a clean install do not format the hard disk drive before loading the Windows 7 setup.

To create or delete hard disk drive or partition go for the Custom (advanced) -> Drive options (advanced) option in the setup. Windows 7 install wizard will backup the existing configuration in the Windows.old folder. Following this you can delete and wipe the whole partition volume before installing Windows 7.