64 bit Upgrade from a 32 Bit OS
…x86 to x64 Software…
Unfortunately, Windows will not allow a straight upgrade to a 64 bit operating system if you are running 32 bit software. There are enough differences between the folder system and files to make them completely different installations so there would be no possible way to upgrade the system directly with the upgrade installation option. However, if your hardware will support a x64 bit operating system, you are more the able to clean install from one operating system to the next which is what I will show you how to do here.
To determine if your hardware can support x64 bit software:
- Start by opening System by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.
- Under System, you can view the system type. View the results from 64-bit capable.
If you are trying to upgrade to Windows 7 from a 32 bit system, you must do a clean install. Make sure you back up your data from the previous installation and then proceed with a clean installation with instructions here.
** If you are using an upgrade disk, you may experience some issues with trying to activate Windows 7. I first recommend trying to launch the Windows 7 disk from your old operating system as it will always activate when starting the Windows installation from the previous operating system.
If that does not work, you can boot from the disk by putting the CD in your DVD drive and restarting your computer. Upgrade disks can be used to perform a clean install in this manner but some have reported errors when trying to activate Windows when the desktop loads. The most common error from this form of upgrade install resembles this message flashed on the screen when attempting to activate Windows:
To troubleshoot this problem, you can choose from three options:
Option 1) The first recommended option is to call Microsoft Support and obtain an activation code after explaining the reason of your activation error. Consider this the most commonly used method to troubleshoot the error as it does not require any further steps besides entering in the activation code.
Option 2) The second recommended option to troubleshoot the Code: 0XC004F061 error is to do another upgrade install. Insert the disk when you are logged into Windows 7 and wait for the setup to start automatically. If the disk is still in the DVD drive, navigate to the My Computer window and click the icon in the optical drive to start the setup.
During the Windows Installation, choose the Upgrade installation instead of the Custom Install. The upgrade installation will take more time but it will not prompt you for user settings such as user names as it will pull this information from your previous installation. Once the activation is complete, Windows will activate without any problems.
Option 3) The third work around method (that is NOT approved by Microsoft) is a registry hack with instructions found here once you scroll down to method 2. Due to the fact that Microsoft does NOT approve nor support this method, I will not include any basic or extra instructions for this method.