• Upgrading to windows 7, keeping files
    9 replies, posted
Well, I have a 32 bit system right now, and I have both the windows 7; 32 and 64 bit editions. The thing is I've already upgraded to 32-bit, with a clean install. it's been about a month now and I have all my programs reinstalled. Is there way I can do a clean install to 64 bit and then keep all my files and shortcuts where they are now? I just bought a 2 gb RAM, and stupidly noticed I need 64 bit to utilize more than 3 gb.
Nope, need to do clean install make sure your cpu can use x64 though
I know I have to do a clean install, i'm just wondering if theres a program that I can use to back up my hard drive (also have a 1 tb external) so that everything will be in the same spot when I transfer it back. After doing my 1st clean install ( vista was corrupted and wanted to start clean), I noticed there was a windows.old file that had all my old files on it. I deleted because I backed up my stuff, but I still had to reinstall every program. Is there something that will let me keep all installed programs w/o having to reinstall them all? Also keeping things like my shortcuts, background, and small stuff?
there's no upgrade path between x86/x64. That includes keeping programs. You can keep config files, game saves, etc. but with a move to 64bit, it changes the location of the 32-bit programs to keep them distinct from the 64-bit programs. (two program files folders, one with (x86) at the end of it) You can easily keep your wallpaper, just back it up and change you wallpaper on the new install, shortcuts will likely be broken due to the change from C:\Program Files to C:\Program Files (x86), and the rest of it can be backed up. Your only issue is with programs.
Do you all think it's worth it for an extraa 1.5 gb of ram? (about 4.5)
YES! :banjo:
Yes, it's worth it. Clean installs are also worth it, too. If you keep your backups current [i]like you should be doing[/i] it isn't a big deal.
Damn, nevermind, I only got the UPGRADE, not the retail, ah well :\
Bummer.
IIRC, upgrade discs still have the "clean install" option, as long as a current Vista OS is present...
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