Windows 7 forum: Can I upgrade Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit?

Jimmy is right, you will need to do a custom installation meaning that your files, programs, and settings will not be saved. You will want to back up to an external hard drive before installing.

However, since you are moving from Vista to Windows 7, you can purchase the upgrade version of Windows 7 (rather than the full retail version).

So, yes you can purchase the upgrade version, but you have to do a custom (or clean) installation to move from Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit. - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/upgrading-to-windows-7-frequently-asked-questions.

Cheers,
Cassandra

Yes. And for the record, you could have simply Googled this or hit Wikipedia or Intel's website. You could have even just thrown the disc in the drive and found out what happened in person. Either it'd work or it wouldn't. It might have ended in failure, but you would have learned something in the process. Honestly, that's the way every single computer expert I know learned the bulk of what they know. They had a sense of curiosity and weren't afraid to explore it, even if things blew up in their face a few times. Even if you don't have any desire to become a tech expert, it can't hurt to try a few things now and then. And having at least some basic skill with computers can save you a lot of money by spotting someone trying to rip you off on repairs.

You must do a Clean Install. You can not do an upgrade from a 32-bit Windows O/S to a 64-bit Windows O/S.

Ok.you can update to windpws 7 64 bit.But I think your display adapter should be updated to less ATI Radeon 4800 series.
In preesnt,my windows 7 (64 bit) system is already operated no less than 8 months. Performance of the operatiom system (64 bit) is steady feasibility high efficient .
In word ,I believe windows 7 is better Operation Syatem than Windows XP.

Your computer probably is able to be upgraded to Vista 64 but with so many caveats that you might want to rethink your desire to do so.

First, you will need to obtain the appropriate 64-bit drivers for all of your hardware and peripherals. In some cases, if any of your stuff is more than about five years old (and in some cases even younger), this might become complicated and you might need to spend some time seeking out third-party support (believe it or not, there are geeks out there who, just for pleasure, write new 64-bit drivers for "legacy" peripherals).

Second, you will need to do a complete wipe-and-load, of course after saving all your data to some form of external backup media.

Third, you will have to reinstall and reconfigure ALL of your software applications, and some of those may require updates that you will have to pay (again) for.

All this will get you very little benefit over Vista 32-bit, a very unjustly maligned but extremely reliable and capable O/S. Indeed, the similarities between 7 and Vista are so minor that 7 should have been released as a Vista service pack, in my opinion.

I'd wait before I go to 7/64 until I need a new PC if I were you.

You forgot the third meaning of upgrade; does the Windows 7 license for the free or paid upgrade allow the 32 to 64 bit change? The answer is yes in both cases. Also, a single W7 license allows either 32 or 64 bit installation. I vaguely recall that once you install W7, technically, you're not "allowed" to change it from 32 to 64 or back, even with a new clean install, but there really isn't any way for them to stop you or enforce it.

Aside from the 32 vs. 64 bit question, you can also download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your system is Windows 7 ready.