Thread: 32 to 64 bit windows

I don't wont to get into a little internet fight here, but there are only 2 types of Windows installs in the basic sense of the word. An UPGRADE install, where you are putting another version or instance of Windows over a previous one (Installing Vista over XP without formatting etc...), and a CLEAN (aka: FRESH) install, which means installing Windows on a partition that that is clean and has no previous data or Operating System on it, basically a formatted drive and/or partition.

A fresh install means removing the old Windows operating system via formatting the drive. Now if you have a separate OS partition and data partition than that is a different story, you can leave your data partition untouched and just overwrite the OS partition, maybe that is what he did. A fresh install means a clean formatted drive or partition. If you do a fresh install of ANY operating system, you will need to reinstall all programs. Only in an "UPGRADE" install will programs remain installed. A fresh install by it's very definition will require re-installing of any programs. Even if you back up all your data and save game files, the programs themselves will need to be re-installed.

There are five methods for installing Windows XP. Review the following methods and select the method that is appropriate for your installation.

Method 1: Perform a clean install of Windows XP
Use this method for a clean installation of Windows XP. A clean installation removes all data from your hard disk by repartitioning and reformatting your hard disk and reinstalling the operating system and programs to an empty (clean) hard disk.

Method 2: Upgrade to Windows XP
Use this method if you are upgrading to Windows XP from Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, or Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional.

Method 3: Install Windows XP to a new hard disk
Use this method to install Windows XP to a new hard disk. This is typically done when a new hard disk is installed on your computer.

Method 4: Install Windows XP to a new folder (parallel installation)
Use this method to install Windows XP to a new folder (parallel installation) to either run two operating systems, or to access, repair, or retrieve data from a damaged disk.

Method 5: Perform a multiple boot operation
Use this method to install Windows XP as a separate operating system on your computer. This lets you install more than one operating system on your computer and select which operating system that you want to use every time that you start your computer.

Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941

IN CONCLUSION:

1. A CLEAN (FRESH) install is formatting drive and loading desired OS.
2. A UPGRADE install is installing Windows over a previous version without formatting or losing data. (Win 2000 to XP, or XP to Vista etc).
3. According to Microsoft, a UPGRADE install is not possible from XP 32bit to XP 64bit, a CLEAN install is required.
4. See item 1 for definition of a CLEAN INSTALL.