Does windows vista offer facility to upgrade from 32 to 64 bit version ?

Slinger · 11 Jan 2007 at 19:25

hi guys,

I have been searching the forums, but didnt really find anything that answers my questions.

Might seems a bit of a dumb question, but what the hell...

anyways, what I would like to know is, if I purchase a 32 bit version of windows vista, is there maybe an option to upgrade to 64 bit when drivers and stuff gets ironed out ? and becomes more of the norm ? without the need for a total reinstall or new copy of 64bit vista ? I would think that its most likely that you cant do this and would need to purchase a whole other copy of 64 bit.

Its cause I want windows vista, but worry about the 64 bit drivers and stuff problem for the first year or so.

anyhelp would be great

thanks

slinger

masslac · 11 Jan 2007 at 19:35

32 is 32, 64 is 64. An "upgrade" to 64 is not possible.

Slinger · 11 Jan 2007 at 19:38

masslac said:
32 is 32, 64 is 64. An "upgrade" to 64 is not possible.

Ok, I see, thanks for quick response

Tute · 11 Jan 2007 at 19:58

What about using the online update thingy?

I seem to remember there is a feature to go from one version of Vista to another with a small charge.

Can you trade in your copy of x86 for an x64 one?

testa12 · 11 Jan 2007 at 20:00

doesn't the retail version allow you to swap between the two?

Tute · 11 Jan 2007 at 20:03

testa12 said:
doesn't the retail version allow you to swap between the two?

I meant OEM, oops.

Kojak · 11 Jan 2007 at 21:48

testa12 said:
doesn't the retail version allow you to swap between the two?

I'm pretty sure you have a choice of 32bit or 64bit versions during installation if you're using a retail copy and a 64bit CPU.

DataVampire · 12 Jan 2007 at 18:53

Kojak said:
I'm pretty sure you have a choice of 32bit or 64bit versions during installation if you're using a retail copy and a 64bit CPU.

you are correct, but to answer the original question, no you cant do it like that, windows vista 32 is compiled differently to 64, totaly dif code, thats why the upgrade is going to be the most popilar choice as you can pick wich one on install............ hope it helps

Fr0dders · 12 Jan 2007 at 18:59

if you buy a retail copy you do have both 32 and 64bit editions of vista

and can swap between them as you wish

the key thing is though, that you'd have to re-format and re-install to change, as they cannot be "upgraded"

OEM only gives you a license for one or the other, thus to switch from 64bit OEM to 32bit OEM you'd have to buy another copy of Vista.