Have a computer installed with Win7 / 32 Bits.... with multiple programs and data.

Is there a way to install 64 Bits without losing the various programs which are mostly linked to the OS?. Data not a problem... Can save.

What programs are linked to the OS?? Every program that is in 32 bit, is in 64 bit....unless you are referring to some hooky Thai copy of Windows. In which case....buy a hooky 64 bit copy.

Your ONLY option is a clean install of the 64bit OS.

You need to know if the 64 bit drivers are available for your hardware, video card, printer etc. ...

No, there is no upgrade path from 32 bit to 64 bit, only option is a clean install

As crossy says its a wipe and reinstall

You need a 64bit CPU to run it - if you have 32bit OS on a 64bit PC it is possible but why, it would be good to upgrade. It requires a complete install as the 32 and 64bit OS are the same but different animals. The 32bit OS is for older equipment like some of what I have.

Processor (CPU) 32-bit 32-bit 32-bit 32-bit Operating System (OS) 32-bit 32-bit 64-bit 64-bit Application Program 32-bit 64-bit 32-bit 64-bit Yes No No No

sorry that copy paste is fail look here

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/32-bit-and-64-bit-explained.htm

Edited October 22, 201411 yr by RKASA

Sorry if this sounds like how to suck eggs, but check first whether you have 32 or 64 bit machine:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows#1TC=windows-7

64 bit machines can go faster coz can use more RAM, if it is installed. 64 bit machines can run 32bit programs.

Windows 32 bit can go faster if you insert an empty usb, follow the prompts 'make this machine go faster' or somesuch. AA

64 bit processors have various advantages to 32 bit, with that in mind, 64 bit software is often less stable than their 32 bit counterparts.

There are many ways you can find if your computer is capable of running a 64 bit OS. One of the fastest would be to pull a dxdiag for us and share it so I can quickly see your processor.

To do this click start and type 'dxdiag' into the search window and hit enter. Just screenshot that window and link the screenshot here.

Edited October 22, 201411 yr by JeffreyO

Basically: the only real reason to take this effort to change from 32bit to 64bit is the possibiliy to use more RAM (memory).

Is that your intention? Or do you plan to use native 64bit SW (quite rare)?

As others wrote: if your HW is fairly old, you will probably have problems to get 64bit drivers.

Edited October 22, 201411 yr by KhunBENQ

The OP has a couple of open threads discussing the recent purchase of a Lenovo C260 touchscreen desktop system that normally comes bundled with Windows 8.1 64-bit, but as this is SouthEastAsia his unit was a lower cost version bundled with FreeDOS. In the two threads the OP states they installed a version of Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit), but Lenovo Support Website provides the necessary drivers available in 64-bit OS only.

Lenovo C260 O/S

Started by bapak, 2014-10-14 17:49

Lenovo C260 Wireless card does not work.

Started by bapak, 2014-10-16 15:48

Hence, I believe, the current thread. Hope this brings everyone up to current events.

Thats the usual case. New hardware not working with old 32 bit OS (drivers).

Very common case (just the opposite as I assumed).

So there is no way around wipe/reinstall 64bit Windows.

Typical stupidity of the "shop experts".

On a notebook with 4 GB RAM for a grand daughter they installed a Win32 version and as a free add-on they gave another 2 GB of RAM !

3 GB dead heating elements

Edited October 22, 201411 yr by KhunBENQ