How can I install Windows 7 64

A direct upgrade from 32-bit (x86-based) Windows 7 to 64-bit (x64-based) Windows 7 OS is not a supported upgrade path. When you try to run the 64bit setup.exe Windows 7 installer from within a 32bit operating system, the following error message will occur:

If you attempt to run the setup.exe stored in the root and “sources” folder of the DVD disc media or ISO image, the following error will occur:

The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you’re running. Check your computer’s system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher.

So how do you upgrade from 32-bit Windows 7 to 64-bit Windows 7? Unfortunately, there is no direct way to perform an in-place upgrade from a 32-bit operating system to x64 Windows 7 with existing application programs and data retained. The only way to install x64-based Windows 7 on an existing 32-bit Windows installation (or vice versa to downgrade from 64-bit to 32-bit OS), is to do a clean install, which is indicated by “Custom (advanced)” installation during set up Windows 7 installation wizard.

Here's the brief guide for those who wish to upgrade to a 64-bit platform from a 32-bit Windows:

1. Backup and save existing application settings and data to migrate to the new system with Windows Easy Transfer. Note that installed programs won’t be migrated or ported over to the new Windows installation. Alternatively, just manually do a backup and copying of all data files and personal documents, photos, images, videos, bookmarks and etc.
2. Boot the computer using the 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 installation DVD disc media or a Windows 7 install USB key flash drive. Setting the correct device boot sequence may be required in BIOS. Check out how to access BIOS. If you have a Windows 7 ISO then first burn the image to a physical disc with a CD/DVD optical burning software such as Nero or Ashampoo Burning Studio, or use the official Windows 7 DVD/USB ISO Download Tool to create a bootable Windows 7 USB flash drive or DVD. In Windows 7, it’s also possible to burn the ISO direct from Windows 7 Explorer without third-party software. If you have x86 setup1.box and setup2.box ESD Windows 7 installation files or x64 setup1.box and setup2.box ESD Windows 7 installation files, follow steps to create and make a bootable ISO prior to burning.
3. When prompted by the Setup Windows installation wizard, select Custom (advanced).
   
   
   
   During this process, you are free to create, delete, modify, or format partition volumes and hard disk drives before continuing the setup installation of Windows 7. If you choose to install over a partition or drive with an existing Windows installation, you will be informed that the current installation of Windows will be moved to the Windows.old directory.
4. Install and activate Windows 7 as usual.

Tip: If you have a Windows 7 upgrade license, media and product key, an existing installation of Windows must exist for the upgrade version product key to be able to entered and activated properly. Thus, do not format the hard disk drive prior to loading the Windows 7 setup even if you intend to clean install. You can create or delete hard disk drive partitions during the setup via Custom (advanced) -> Drive options (advanced) option (note: a 100 MB system reserved partition will be created by Windows 7 Setup), or let Windows 7 install wizard backup the existing configuration to Windows.old folder, and then delete and wipe clean the whole partition volume prior to install Windows 7.

The 32-bit setup installer can be read and run in a 64-bit operating system, but the in-place “downgrade” is equally not supported, the following error will show in the compatibility report after a run of compatibility check:

The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, complete each task, and then restart the upgrade to continue.

You can’t upgrade 64-bit Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows. To downgrade, obtain a 64-bit version of the installation disc, or go online to see how to install Windows 7 and keep your files and settings

The above workaround to clean install Windows 7 works to downgrade from 64-bit to 32-bit Windows 7 too.

Installing Windows 7 32-bit from a 64-bit SystemStrangely enough, it’s possible to install a 32-bit Windows 7 from a 64-bit desktop, but not possible the other way around. This is because the Windows setup installer for 32-bit will work on both 32-bit and 64-bit systems whereas the setup executable for Windows 7 64-bit will only work from a 64-bit install. You can use this or the second method below for 64-bit > 32-bit, this method requires more initial disc space but is slightly easier and quicker.1. Insert the Windows 7 install disc and if Autoplay doesn’t offer you the chance to, open the disc in Explorer and run the Setup.exe file.2. Click “Install Now” and wait a few seconds while the setup process copies some files. The next screen offers the choice to go online and check for installation updates. It is recommended you do this and for us it downloaded 1089K.3. If you have an install disc with multiple distros available, select the version of Windows to reinstall, remember to select the same edition which you are replacing. At the next screen accept the license terms. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 4. The next screen offers the chance to Upgrade Windows or perform a Custom install. As you cannot upgrade Windows with the same version, choose Custom.5. You will now be asked where you want to install Windows, drive C: should already be selected, but if it isn’t, choose C:, then click Next. A window will show with the text: The partition you selected might contain files from a previous Windows installation. If it does, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You will be able to access the information in Windows.old, but you will not be able to use your previous version of Windows.Instead of erasing your current Windows, this method will keep the old Windows install until you choose to delete it. If you don’t have enough free disc space (about 15GB), method 2 will need to be used. Click OK to continue.6. After a couple of reboots, the language/time zone screen and the computer/user name screen, you’ll eventually be asked to enter the product key. Leave the product key box empty and uncheck the option to auto activate when your computer is online. Click Next and continue the install choosing the options you require, you’ll finally reach the desktop.In the root of C, you will notice the Windows.old folder which can be deleted at any point you choose from now on. Also, Windows leaves the “Program Files (x86)” folder in place, this can be deleted as well. It’s a good idea to run a defrag on a hard drive after deleting these folders because there will be a large gap of empty space on the fastest part of the drive where Windows.old once was. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Installing Windows 7 64-bit from a 32-bit System

As mentioned before, Windows 7 64-bit cannot be installed from inside Windows 7 32-bit so it has to be done the standard way by booting from the DVD/USB. This way will give you the option to format the hard drive and perform a clean install.

1. Boot your computer using the DVD or USB flash drive containing Windows 7 64-bit and when asked, press any key to boot to the disc. You may need to check your BIOS settings are correct to boot directly to DVD or USB.

2. Select the timezone, keyboard and language then click “Install Now”. As in the previous method, if you have an install disc with the ei.cfg file removed, the option will be available to install any of the Windows editions. Make sure to chose the same as you’re replacing.

3. Accept the terms of the license and at the next screen click on Custom as Upgrade won’t install the same operating system, even though it’s a different architecture.

3. Then you have the option of formatting the the hard drive before installation or leaving the old Windows intact and placed in a Windows.old folder. The choice is yours and if you want to format, click on Drive Options (advanced) for the selected drive to create, delete and format partitions.

4. As in step #6 above, you will eventually reach the screen to enter the Windows product key. Don’t enter a key and untick the activate when online box, then continue the install until you reach the desktop.

Restoring Your Windows Activation

Once Windows 7 has been installed it won’t be activated and you will be given 30 days to do it, so it makes sense to sort this out before going any further.

Restore From ABR

1. Making sure you have the ABR folder available from a flash drive or another partition, run activation_restore.exe. It will then automatically restore the product key and license information.

Restore From Advanced Tokens Manager

Advanced Tokens Manager is immediately disadvantaged because it requires .NET Framework 4 or above to function which isn’t installed on a clean Windows 7. Either use Windows update to get it or download and install .NET 4.5 directly using the setup installer version.

1. Go to the Advanced Tokens Manager folder you backed up earlier and run Advanced Tokens Manager.exe, note in the tokens box it should say “backup found”.

2. Click Activation Restore and accept the notice that it could take up to 5 minutes, then you should finally get the success message.

Press Win key+Pause/Break key to launch the System window if it hasn’t already shown. Scroll down and you should see “Windows is activated” with an OEM product ID.

Make sure to run both ABR and Advanced Tokens Manager as Administrator to avoid possible complications. Now Windows has been activated, you can start the long process of restoring personal data with Windows Easy Transfer and installing updates, offline Windows updating is another option to consider if you install Windows often.

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