Upgrading OS- any way around doing a clean install?

Question

So I am currently using 32-bit Vista HP and want to upgrade to 64-bit Win7 ultimate. I realise that to go from 32-bit to 64-bit requires a clean install, and that's where my problem starts:

My main issue with a reformat and clean install is that I have loads of programs like Sony Vegas, Adobe After Effects and Photoshop that I no longer have the CD Keys for, as well as lots of different presets and settings for other programs. It would not be practical to manually re-install all these programs and settings, as well as the files.

So is there ANY way to upgrade using a clean install and somehow maintain these programs. I was thinking of installing Win7 to a new HDD, removing vista and somehow copying them over. I am very tech savvy hardware wise, but am a complete novice at OS stuff!

Answer 1

you can probably get the keys again right? if you got them legitimately then they might have emailed them to you. if you pirated them, well, then just do it again.



other than that i dont think even copying them over to your new computer would work all that well. they have info spread out all over your comp. and would that keep the integrity of the keys? plus idk much about 32/64 bit programs but would a 32-bit program even work on a 64 OS?



perhaps you could use 2 hard drives, permanently. this will increase your performance and if you were going to get another HD anyway then just leave Vista on your old one and get 7 on the new one.

Answer 2

I am afraid there is no way around it. When updating like this you must do a clean install. However if you got Win7 32-bit in the same version as the installed Vista (guessing Home edition) you don't need to do a clean install, you can just upgrade.



When performing a clean install your old Windows folder will be saved and named Windows.old. There it will be stored all Documents, music etc. also your Program Files folder wil be saved. In there your old programs will be saved, but they might not work because they are missing important files from other folders.

Answer 3

I would have to agree with you, I wouldn't want Vista either. You may want to turn off your computer and boot from the disc instead of just installing it. You do need to do a clean install, obviously an upgrade is not going to work. Try it, keep me posted. Oh, and alot of files that you had on your computer for drivers and stuff will be gone if you do this, so I would get all the drivers for all the internal components and internet service first before doing this. Good luck.

Answer 4

What you are looking to do simply will not work.



Even if you installed 7 to another hard drive and copied the system files over, you would be missing important registry entries and supplemental files.



Your best bet would be to simply dual-boot Vista and Windows 7, that way you can keep the Vista installation intact and still have access to the programs that you want.

Answer 5

don't think i know of a way, open programs are spead all over the os. so removing the os would remove some programs. also the issue with hardware for 64 bit. data files are simple, transfer to external. a simple upgrade apples to apples would work,

Answer 6

Can you copy them to a 32 GB flash drive, or DVDs?



Re-formatting causes more problems. I see that way to often. It will refuse to load ANY OS on some machines.



Offload everything. Then start your re-install with basic, minimum software.



www.newbiesclub.com may have some good ideas, too.