Switch To 64 Bit Windows Full Retail Versions

I took advantage of the 50 offer to upgrade to Windows 7, 32-bit.

How can I do this Can I install the copy of 64-bit Windows 7 that I already have, or do I need to have the 64-bit version of Vista to do the upgrade.

Switch To 64 Bit Windows Full Retail Versions

The full Retail versions have this option, but I dont know if the Dell supplied will do this.

Most likely you will have to purchase a retail copy of Win 7 to do this.

Dell will only supply what you have, they will sell you a Retail version at the same price as anywhere else, they cant sell you an OEM version.

This is the same as the full retail version except, like the Dell OEM versions, it can only be installed on one PC and there is no free support from Microsoft for OEM versions.

You still get the same free updates from them, just there is no free support if you were to have a problem with the Windows 7 OS that you couldnt resolve.

The probabilities of needing Microsoft tech support is slim but it has to be noted.

If there is no problems, just insert the 64bit disk and it will instruct you to do a clean install.

I have found that on machines with less than 4 GBytes, the 64 Bit operating system does nothing for you.

On the other hand machine with 16 GBytes or RAM running 64 bit applications (which arent many) scream.

Even if you didnt have the 64 bit media, you could download it and then use the key you already have.

Vista or Windows 7 is acceptable (from a license perspective) for an upgrade to 64bit.

If you already had a 64 bit OS installed, this would save most of your data.

Some question the legality of this process, but I do not see an issue so long as you have an operating system that would otherwise qualify for the upgrade.

Googling windows 7 clean install should set you on the right track as I am not certain Dell would approve of a detailed description().

First, it is safer (better ASLR, patch-guard, signed kernel driver enforcement, less viruses written for it).

Second, it can allocate larger chunks of ram to individual programs.