Upgrading from Windows 7 32-bit to 64-bit

Loafer

Hi all,
Whats the easiest (cheapest) way to do this. I have a medion desktop from Aldi and want to use the full capacity of RAM 8GB so that photoshop and the like run quicker on my computer.

I have Windows 7 32Bit that came with the machine but wish to upgrade as 32bit only recognises 3.8GB RAM as far as i know.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Many thanks in advance.

santer_2

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

To run a 64-bit version of Windows, your computer must have a 64-bit-capable processor. To find out if your processor is 64-bit-capable in Windows 7 or Windows Vista, do the following:

1. Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and then, in the list of results, click Performance Information and Tools.
2. Do one of the following:
   
   • In Windows 7, click View and print detailed performance and system information.
   • In Windows Vista, click View and print details.
3. In the System section, you can see what type of operating system you're currently running under System type, and whether or not you can run a 64-bit version of Windows under 64-bit capable. (If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won't see the 64-bit capable listing.)

John_Gray

I'd be amazed if you could point to any recent processor in a Windows PC which is not 64-bit capable! They have been like this for several years.

32-bit Windows will use only about 3 GB of real memory, give or take 256 MB.

You would have to install the 64-bit version of Windows 7 from scratch.

ChiefGrasscutter

I'm curious here...
What happens to all your old 32 bit software and say printers/scanners etc when you transfer to 64 bit

Is it a case of its all scrap?

John_Gray

Almost invariably the 32-bit software will still work without problems, and, indeed, Microsoft recommends you install Office 2010 32-bit rather than 64-bit!

But those drivers which interface very closely with the operating system, such as for printers and scanners, need to have a 64-bit version installed. This may prove difficult or impossible for older devices, although occasionally there might have been a 64-bit Vista version which should work on Windows 7 64-bit.

spannerzone

The only issue I came across was trying to install Win7 64bit on my 9" Dell mini netbook that has an Intel Atom n270 CPU which is only 32bit (most Atom's are 64bit capable) and I was only trying it out of interest (and having a spare copy of W7 from Technet)

Otherwise I've found little problems even with quite old software and hardware (some scanners/printers may have limited functionality compared to their original 32bit drivers/software)

Callum_Lawson

I would like to point out that everything that John Gray said is absolutely true.
The cheapest solution, when you wan to go with Microsoft, would be Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit version. Also its strongly recommendable to have a 64-bit version of Photoshop to use the full capacity of the program.

Loafer

so if computer is capable it looks like i have to install from scratch? Thanks for the time taken out to reply to me guys!
Installing from scratch would mean losing all the data on my hard drive right?

JJ_Egan

Old hardware may not work as it has no 64 bit drivers but a search will often reveal workarounds for those that refuse to work under 64 bits or even custom drivers ,Driversguide .com .

jje

RussJK

Do you have a 64-bit install disc?

john1

Installing from scratch would mean losing all the data on my hard drive right?

have a look http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer


Ive used it successfully