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Win7 (OEM) 32-bit -> Win 10 64-bit - It works!

K

kmmatney

Diamond Member
I upgraded one of my Windows 7 systems to Windows 10 last night. i was hoping that the upgrade would also allow me to also upgrade to 64-bit. However in-place upgrade installed 32-bit windows 10. This makes sense, as it ensured that all my programs worked as before, but I'd rather upgrade to 64-bit, even if it means a clean install.

I was able to do something similar when upgrading my Dell laptop from Windows 7 to Windows 8. My Windows 7 was 32-bit, but when I upgraded (for $15) I was able to also upgrade to 64-bit.

So it what I want to do possible? This computer is backed up on my WHS server, so I guess I can try a clean install and see if there is an option for 64-bit, but I'm wondering if my entire download "$Windows.~BT" folder was 32-bit only.

Maybe I can copy the $Windows.~BT folder from one of my 54-bit machine that was also updated?


>>> Edit:

I got it working. I used the steps from Ars Technica:

1. Did an in-place upgrade which successfully installed Window 10, and activated it

2. Downloaded a 64-bit Win 10 ISO, using the MS tool for that, and created an installation USB stick

3. Installed the 64-bit version, as a new Install over the top of the previous version. Whenever it asked for a windows key, I hit either "skip" or "Not Now". Eventually when the installation was finished, it had 64-bit Windows 10, and it said the product was activated, presumably using my same in-place Windows 10 key.

So I now have a fresh working copy of 64-bit Windows 10, starting with Windows 7 32-bit OEM. It was not an in-place upgrade, so everything has to be re-installed, but that's probably for the best when switching from 32-bit to 64-bit.
 
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Comparing this free update that gives you a matching version of Windows 10 to you buying a 64-bit upgrade should not be a thing that makes sense.

Yet here we are.
 
I don't see why it would matter - I paid the same price for the 32-bit Pro version, which I needed at the time, due to 3rd party software. I don't think it should matter what version I upgrade to.
 
kmmatney said:
So it what I want to do possible? This computer is backed up on my WHS server, so I guess I can try a clean install and see if there is an option for 64-bit, but I'm wondering if my entire download "$Windows.~BT" folder was 32-bit only.
Click to expand...
Only option is to get the 64bit ISO, and clean install from any 32bit builds.
 
Once upon a time the same key world work for 32- or 64-bit of the same version, starting with Vista/ Server 2008. So, once you upgrade and have the key, you should be able to download 64-bit and perform an install with that same key. Possibly just instal the disc and perform an upgrade.
 
I got it working. I used the steps from Ars Technica:

1. Did an in-place upgrade which successfully installed Window 10, and activated it

2. Downloaded a 64-bit Win 10 ISO, using the MS tool for that, and created an installation USB stick

3. Installed the 64-bit version, as a new Install over the top of the previous version. Whenever it asked for a windows key, I hit either "skip" or "Not Now". Eventually when the installation was finished, it had 64-bit Windows 10, and it said the product was activated, presumably using my same in-place Windows 10 key.

So I now have a fresh working copy of 64-bit Windows 10, starting with Windows 7 32-bit. It was not an in-place upgrade, so everything has to be re-installed, but that's probably for the best when switching from 32-bit to 64-bit.
 
Thank's kmmatney - that's good to know.

I'm going to do an in place upgrade on my sisters computer to Windows 10. Then I'm going to swap out the old hard drive and put in a larger capacity one and attempt to do a clean installation on that but activate using her Microsoft Account.
 
kmmatney said:
I got it working. I used the steps from Ars Technica:

1. Did an in-place upgrade which successfully installed Window 10, and activated it

2. Downloaded a 64-bit Win 10 ISO, using the MS tool for that, and created an installation USB stick

3. Installed the 64-bit version, as a new Install over the top of the previous version. Whenever it asked for a windows key, I hit either "skip" or "Not Now". Eventually when the installation was finished, it had 64-bit Windows 10, and it said the product was activated, presumably using my same in-place Windows 10 key.

So I now have a fresh working copy of 64-bit Windows 10, starting with Windows 7 32-bit. It was not an in-place upgrade, so everything has to be re-installed, but that's probably for the best when switching from 32-bit to 64-bit.
Click to expand...

I'm curios if your install has remained activated over the past few months. Was the switch from 32 to 64 permanent?
 
I "upgraded" a 2GB laptop once which came with Win 7 x64 HP OEM to x86 HP OEM and that worked fine. I formatted the HDD, installed Windows using the key on the sticker and activation failed saying it was the wrong type. I went through the automated telephone activation process, entered some codes and then it activated fine.
 
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