Upgrading XP Pro 32-bit to Vista Ultimate 64-bit

[Daze N. Knights]

I have been given to understand that--given possession of a system
running XP Pro 32-bit and a full retail copy of Vista Ultimate (not an
upgrade version)--in order to upgrade the system to Vista Ultimate
64-bit, one would have to reformat first. But the upgrade options table
on the following website seems to indicate that one could do an in-place
upgrade from XP Pro 32-bit to either version of Vista Ultimate, while
one would have to do a "clean install" to get from XP Pro 64-bit to
either version of Vista Ultimate. I'm confused.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeinfo.mspx

I had just advised my brother that, if he wanted to upgrade his XP Pro
32-bit to Vista Ultimate 64-bit (with a full retail copy of Vista
Ultimate), he would have no recourse but reformat, install the os,
install drivers, install his programs and data. Was I wrong?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You can only "upgrade" to Windows Vista 64-bit if you are
currently running a 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional.
If you are running the common 32-bit version of Windows XP
Professional, then you cannot upgrade to the 64-bit version of
Windows Vista. You'll need to perform a "clean install" which
requires reformat of the hard drive.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

:

I have been given to understand that--given possession of a system
running XP Pro 32-bit and a full retail copy of Vista Ultimate (not an
upgrade version)--in order to upgrade the system to Vista Ultimate
64-bit, one would have to reformat first. But the upgrade options table
on the following website seems to indicate that one could do an in-place
upgrade from XP Pro 32-bit to either version of Vista Ultimate, while
one would have to do a "clean install" to get from XP Pro 64-bit to
either version of Vista Ultimate. I'm confused.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeinfo.mspx

I had just advised my brother that, if he wanted to upgrade his XP Pro
32-bit to Vista Ultimate 64-bit (with a full retail copy of Vista
Ultimate), he would have no recourse but reformat, install the os,
install drivers, install his programs and data. Was I wrong?

 

[Tom Porterfield]

You can only "upgrade" to Windows Vista 64-bit if you are
currently running a 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional.
If you are running the common 32-bit version of Windows XP
Professional, then you cannot upgrade to the 64-bit version of
Windows Vista. You'll need to perform a "clean install" which
requires reformat of the hard drive.

This information is incorrect in all regards. You qualify for the upgrade
version to a corresponding or better version of Vista for either XP 32 bit
or 64 bit. Whether your XP is 32 bit or 64 bit, you will have to do a clean
install of Vista 64 bit. Vista 64 bit can not do an upgrade of any version
of XP.

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I have been given to understand that--given possession of a system
running XP Pro 32-bit and a full retail copy of Vista Ultimate (not an
upgrade version)--in order to upgrade the system to Vista Ultimate
64-bit, one would have to reformat first. But the upgrade options table
on the following website seems to indicate that one could do an in-place
upgrade from XP Pro 32-bit to either version of Vista Ultimate, while
one would have to do a "clean install" to get from XP Pro 64-bit to
either version of Vista Ultimate. I'm confused.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeinfo.mspx

I had just advised my brother that, if he wanted to upgrade his XP Pro
32-bit to Vista Ultimate 64-bit (with a full retail copy of Vista
Ultimate), he would have no recourse but reformat, install the os,
install drivers, install his programs and data. Was I wrong?

The 64 bit version of Vista can not upgrade any version of XP, 32 or 64 bit.
You will need to do a clean install. You can use a lesser priced upgrade
version of Vista 64, but you will have to do a clean install. You can use
Windows Easy Transfer
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/features/forhome/easytransfer.mspx )
to help with migrating your e-mail, data and other personal files from your
XP install to Vista.

 

[AJR]

Bendao -Does the computer support a 64 bit OS?


OD>

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Absolutely wrong, Carey. You need to talk to Darrel or something, but you
are mistaken.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You will not have to reformat. Follow Tom's advice. You will have to start
Vista x64 Setup by booting the computer with the Vista x64 dvd and proceed
from there. You will have access to the Advanced Options and may use the
Format tool there if you wish, but the custom install will clear off all
your files before installing Vista anyway.

The only thing you will not have available is the upgrade option.

 

[Daze N. Knights]

yes

Bendao -Does the computer support a 64 bit OS?


OD>

 

[Daze N. Knights]

Man, am I confused. So you are saying that my brother *can* upgrade his
32-bit XP Pro to 64-bit Vista Ultimate, keeping all his programs and
data intact, using the full retail DVD of Vista Ultimate, but only by
booting from the DVD, where it will turn out that the option to Upgrade
is not available?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

No. He cannot "upgrade" from 32bit to 64bit and keep his files, settings,
and apps intact. Upgrades between x86 and x64 are not supported in any
Windows clients or Servers. That is not unique to Vista.

What I said was that your brother can switch from x86 to x64 by booting with
the x64 dvd and doing a custom install of Vista x64. He needs to save his
files and settings with the WET wizard first and restore them after the x64
installation. He will have to reinstall his apps. Your brother can do this
with the x64 dvd and the same full editon product key he used to install
Vista x86. He just cannot use the upgrade functionality of Setup. He has
to use custom.

The upgrade option is only available if you are upgrading from one x86
system to an equivalent or higher Vista x86 system. It is never available
when "upgrading" from any x86 system to any x64 system, Vista or otherwise.

 

[Daze N. Knights]

Thanks for clarifying that for me, Colin. I think I've finally got it,
now.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Yay!

 

[Daze N. Knights]

Yeah, I'm slow sometimes . . .

Yay!