Installing Vista over 64 bit XP?

[Rory]

I'm heavily considering upgrading to Vista but currently i am running the 64
bit version of XP. According to Microsoft I therefore have to do a completely
fresh install to upgrade to Vista, i really really do not want to have to as
i want to keep my documents, settings and applications installed. Is there
anyway to simple upgrade my copy of windows without having to do a whole new
install?

Any help is appreciated.

Rory

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You must perform a clean installation of the operating system.

Installation choices for 64-bit consumer versions of Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932795

How to use Windows Easy Transfer to migrate files and settings from one Windows-based computer to another Windows Vista-based
computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928634/en-us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

I'm heavily considering upgrading to Vista but currently i am running the 64
bit version of XP. According to Microsoft I therefore have to do a completely
fresh install to upgrade to Vista, i really really do not want to have to as
i want to keep my documents, settings and applications installed. Is there
anyway to simple upgrade my copy of windows without having to do a whole new
install?

Any help is appreciated.

Rory

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

No. A custom installation is required. There is nothing you can upgrade to
from XP Pro x64. In all cases, as you can see in the Vista Upgrade Matrix,
upgrading in place is not supported. You will have to reinstall your apps.
You can use Windows Easy Transfer to save your files and settings to
intermediate storage. Reinstall the apps before you complete the WET
transfer.

 

[Bill Casey]

What many people need is a description of how to move applications from one
drive (my C w/XP Pro) to another drive (D w/Vista 64-bit) on the SAME
machine. Where is that information? This is a common
configuration/installation issue that seems NOT to be addressed. Thanks,
Bill.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You cannot move apps between platforms (x86 and x64). You have to install
the apps fresh. You can only move files and setting with Windows Easy
Transfer and that is supported on the same computer by using intermediate
storage.

There is a Windows Easy Transfer Companion designed to move apps but only
between two computers that are both running WET Companion (live). There is
no capability to use intermediate storage. The transfer must be live and
the two computers must both be running x86 Windows.

However, even if the WET Companion supported moving apps on the same
computer using intermediate storage (planned for WET Companion in the
future) it still could not move them between x86 and x64 systems.

You will have to install the apps fresh.

 

[Bill Casey]

Colin: OK, why they force it to be 2 different computers instead of 2
different drives is irritating. However, you have one thing wrong below. I
used (with fair success) the EZ xfer thing with my laptop running XP Pro (32)
and the destination machine running Vista 64-bit. ... Bill

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

WET Companion only support live transfers. It isn't a matter of it being
two hard drives. The problem is that you cannot be live in both operating
systems simultaneously on a dual-boot machine. That's why intermediate
storage support is needed.