Thread: Vista 32bit Upgrade to Vista 64 Bit upgrade + Easy Transfer

I was curious on something. Im trying to avoid a lot of data loss here.

I currently have retail Vista Upgrade which has the 32bit and 64bit disks. Im considering going to 64bit but wish to avoid a lot of data loss.

So heres what I was thinking and curious if it is possible.

Could I possibly set up an easy transfer of my current 32bit config to a disc or external drive, then format, install my xp, upgrade that to the 64bit, and THEN use the easy transfer to brink back the settings? Or am I just doomed to having to start from scratch on my main drive?

Oh and also a quick one. I have a few hard drives. After I upgrade, will that data still be usable? Assuming its not applications that need reinstalls (media and general just files i don’t mind manually copying and moving)?

Applications will have to be reinstalled regardless it's not possible to upgrade directly from 32-bit to 64-bit you must perform a clean install. The best thing is to copy your data manually to another drive, install 64-bit Vista, then copy your data back.

What data are you concerned about? Anything that's usable under 32-bit Vista will be usable under 64-bit Vista after all Windows is Windows you only have to be concerned about your drivers being 64-bit.

Let me be more clear here. As you get what I am doing about halfway. =)

I already know regardless that these being "Upgrade" disks I will have to format a drive, install XP and upgrade that to vista 64bit.

What I am concerned about is registry information, emails and all that stuff that "Easy Transfer" supports.

I am only curious if I were to

1. Prepare this Vista 32 bit with Easy Transfer to a new drive or cd (for the transfer data to be stored)
2. Install XP on different hard drive.
3. Upgrade that XP to Vista 64bit.
4. (And this is the important part) Use that easy transfer Data I made of the current Vista 32bit to the new Freshly "Upgraded xp to vista 64 bit"

I am already under the assumption a whole lot of stuff will have to be reinstalled. But id like to preserve as much as possible and Im wondering if this method will work at all or if the fact that I have upgraded from XP to Vista 64 bit will not work.