Windows 10: Change from 32 bit to 64 bit

I had a full licence (not OEM) of Window 7 Home premium. And I have upgraded to Window 10. Now I have put in more RAM to from 4 to 16 Gb. How do I reinstall a 64 bit Window 10?
Would appreciate your input


Daniel, Toronto

:)

 

Change from 32 bit to 64 bit

Switching to Windows 10 64 bit is free, you don't have to pay for it. As long as you have a qualifying Windows 7 or 8 or Windows 10 license, you are entitled to use it.

Switching requires that you perform a new installation, that means files, applications and settings will be deleted.

You will have to reinstall applications and native 64 bit drivers.

Backup before migrating: How to: Create a system image in Windows 10 (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...)

Step 1: Download Windows 10 64 bit then create a bootable copy:

How to download official Windows 10 ISO files

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Step 2: Boot from the 64 bit Windows 10 install media, then perform a custom or clean install:

How to: Perform a custom installation of Windows (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...)
- Choose this option if you want to recover files from Windows.old (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...)

How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10 (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...)
- Choose this option if you want to erase the drive, files and applications will be deleted.

Further steps:

Review the following guide for instructions and details about configuring your BIOS or UEFI boot settings for DVD, CD, USB or SD Card.

BIOS/UEFI Setup Guide: Boot from a CD, DVD, USB Drive or SD Card

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/bios-uefi-setu...

Once your computer is set to boot from the DVD, you should see this option. If you are installing from a retail Windows 10 USB thumb drive, you will be asked to select either 32 or 64 bit Windows 10. Learn more here

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/choose-windows...

The Windows logo will appear on screen, this might be here for a while, as long as you see the animating dots, everything should be ok.

Select your Language, Time and Keyboard method then click Next.

Click Install now

Windows 10 setup will prompt you for a product key during installation a couple times. If you originally upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 click the option 'I don't have a key' and 'Do this later' . If you have a Windows 10 product key, you can proceed
to enter it.

Setup will also prompt you to select the edition you have a license for - Home or Pro. Please make sure you choose the right edition. If you choose the wrong edition, your only option will be to perform a clean install again.

The copy of Windows 10 you download and upgrade from will correspond with the edition of Windows you have installed, if it does not, this is why you might be experiencing problems activating:

Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 8.0 Core, Windows 8.1 Core should install Windows 10 Home

Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8.0 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro should install Windows 10 Pro

Wait while setup prepares to copy files

Accept the license terms then click Next

Click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)

NOTE: Sometimes Windows 10 setup can become confused if it see's a thumb drive. You might get a driver missing error or something to that effect. If you do, restart setup, but this time, when you arrive at the following screen, disconnect your thumb drive then
go through Custom options. When setup is ready copy files, it will prompt you to reconnect the installation source (your USB).

Select the drive then click New

NOTE: If you have multiple partitions listed, select each one (starting at the bottom), then click delete until there is only a single (one) unallocated drive displayed in the window.

Select the unallocated drive listed, click New, click Apply then OK

This will split the drive into multiple partitions, select the Primary partition then click Next.

NOTE: The System Reserved partition is where recovery files are kept for diagnostics and repairing damaged Windows 10 files; or even reinstall Windows 10.

Wait while Windows installs

When this phase of setup is complete, Windows will automatically restart then reboot into setup again.

Windows is detecting and installing your hardware. After this is complete, Windows will restart one last time.

Out of Box Experience

The Out of Box Experience page is where you get to configure detailed settings in Windows, which includes creating a user account, configure privacy, sync PC settings and install modern applications.

 

Change from 32 bit to 64 bit

You can use the below guide from Andre Da Costa, MVP for this purpose

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

 

Download this and run it, use it to upgrade. This is a clean install which will delete all files so do a backup.

 

You need to make a Windows 10 install USB or DVD using the tool in post #2. Boot the computer from the USB/DVD and do a completely new install of Windows 10 64-bit.

 

Thanks. That seem to be the right disc.

Daniel