Upgrading from win 7 64bit

[LocalHero]

Greetings - current system is 64 bit Win 7.

I've downloaded the Win 8 upgrade and burned a DVD with it.

I aim to do an upgrade rather than fresh install - because the option
of re-installing all my software would taker forever.

But I seem to recall seeing somewhere that upgrading a 64 bit system
actually requires software to be reinstalled. Is that so?

Cheers



--

[Paul]

LocalHero wrote:
> Greetings - current system is 64 bit Win 7.
>
> I've downloaded the Win 8 upgrade and burned a DVD with it.
>
> I aim to do an upgrade rather than fresh install - because the option
> of re-installing all my software would taker forever.
>
> But I seem to recall seeing somewhere that upgrading a 64 bit system
> actually requires software to be reinstalled. Is that so?
>
> Cheers

Well, to start with, you do a System Image of your
current setup, so you have something to go back to if
there are any sorts of issues. Store the System Image on
an external disk. Have your recovery CD ready, in case
Windows 7 needs to be put back in all its former glory.

Generally speaking, a previous version 32 bit OS can
be "upgraded" to a new version 32 bit OS. A previous
version 64 bit OS can be "upgraded" to a new version
64 bit OS. But you can't change 32-->64 or 64-->32,
as the folder structure is slightly different.

When you use the Windows 8 Advisor, it should already
have matched the download - so a query from a 64 bit
machine, should have returned a 64 bit image. If the
image has the correct size (measure it and google
the size), then you could use that to verify you got
the 64 bit version, before wasting any optical media on it.

Paul

[LocalHero]

Paul wrote:

> LocalHero wrote:
> > Greetings - current system is 64 bit Win 7.
> >
> > I've downloaded the Win 8 upgrade and burned a DVD with it.
> >
> > I aim to do an upgrade rather than fresh install - because the
> > option of re-installing all my software would taker forever.
> >
> > But I seem to recall seeing somewhere that upgrading a 64 bit system
> > actually requires software to be reinstalled. Is that so?
> >
> > Cheers
>
> Well, to start with, you do a System Image of your
> current setup, so you have something to go back to if
> there are any sorts of issues. Store the System Image on
> an external disk. Have your recovery CD ready, in case
> Windows 7 needs to be put back in all its former glory.
>
> Generally speaking, a previous version 32 bit OS can
> be "upgraded" to a new version 32 bit OS. A previous
> version 64 bit OS can be "upgraded" to a new version
> 64 bit OS. But you can't change 32-->64 or 64-->32,
> as the folder structure is slightly different.
>
> When you use the Windows 8 Advisor, it should already
> have matched the download - so a query from a 64 bit
> machine, should have returned a 64 bit image. If the
> image has the correct size (measure it and google
> the size), then you could use that to verify you got
> the 64 bit version, before wasting any optical media on it.
>
> Paul

Thankyou Paul - I already have a full clone of the C: drive on an
internal D:drive, and on an external drive.

But you make no reference to my actual question - I'm trying to
ascertain whether my existing software (e.g Office, NOD32, Malwarebytes
etc etc ) will have to be reinstalled if I do an upgrade rather than a
fresh install.

--

[LocalHero]

Paul wrote:

> LocalHero wrote:
> > Greetings - current system is 64 bit Win 7.
> >
> > I've downloaded the Win 8 upgrade and burned a DVD with it.
> >
> > I aim to do an upgrade rather than fresh install - because the
> > option of re-installing all my software would taker forever.
> >
> > But I seem to recall seeing somewhere that upgrading a 64 bit system
> > actually requires software to be reinstalled. Is that so?
> >
> > Cheers
>
> Well, to start with, you do a System Image of your
> current setup, so you have something to go back to if
> there are any sorts of issues. Store the System Image on
> an external disk. Have your recovery CD ready, in case
> Windows 7 needs to be put back in all its former glory.
>
> Generally speaking, a previous version 32 bit OS can
> be "upgraded" to a new version 32 bit OS. A previous
> version 64 bit OS can be "upgraded" to a new version
> 64 bit OS. But you can't change 32-->64 or 64-->32,
> as the folder structure is slightly different.
>
> When you use the Windows 8 Advisor, it should already
> have matched the download - so a query from a 64 bit
> machine, should have returned a 64 bit image. If the
> image has the correct size (measure it and google
> the size), then you could use that to verify you got
> the 64 bit version, before wasting any optical media on it.
>
> Paul

Ah - on re-reading I see you have partly answered - in your reference
to the different folder structures for 32 & 64 bit versions. But I will
be going from 64bit win 7 Pro to win 8 64bit Pro

--

[..winston]

The Win8 Upgrade Assistant (not Upgrade Advisor which was a Win7 term) should inform you of the software that needs to be removed
prior to proceeding.

You can download the Win8 Upgrade 'Assistant' and run it in advance help determine your best course of action.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8

Imo, any AV or AntiMalware software should be completely uninstalled/removed prior to upgrading to Windows 8. Additionally you
should check with those providers to determine which version is compatible with Win8 prior to reinstalling any 3rd party AV/AM
client. (fyi - Windows 8 includes Windows Defender which unlike previous versions of Defender is now an AV and AM client).

A Windows 8 64 bit (x64) upgrade can be used to upgrade a Win7 64bit (x64)


--
....winston
msft mvp


"LocalHero" wrote in message o.uk...

Greetings - current system is 64 bit Win 7.

I've downloaded the Win 8 upgrade and burned a DVD with it.

I aim to do an upgrade rather than fresh install - because the option
of re-installing all my software would taker forever.

But I seem to recall seeing somewhere that upgrading a 64 bit system
actually requires software to be reinstalled. Is that so?

Cheers



--

[Paul]

LocalHero wrote:
> Paul wrote:
>
>> LocalHero wrote:
>>> Greetings - current system is 64 bit Win 7.
>>>
>>> I've downloaded the Win 8 upgrade and burned a DVD with it.
>>>
>>> I aim to do an upgrade rather than fresh install - because the
>>> option of re-installing all my software would taker forever.
>>>
>>> But I seem to recall seeing somewhere that upgrading a 64 bit system
>>> actually requires software to be reinstalled. Is that so?
>>>
>>> Cheers
>> Well, to start with, you do a System Image of your
>> current setup, so you have something to go back to if
>> there are any sorts of issues. Store the System Image on
>> an external disk. Have your recovery CD ready, in case
>> Windows 7 needs to be put back in all its former glory.
>>
>> Generally speaking, a previous version 32 bit OS can
>> be "upgraded" to a new version 32 bit OS. A previous
>> version 64 bit OS can be "upgraded" to a new version
>> 64 bit OS. But you can't change 32-->64 or 64-->32,
>> as the folder structure is slightly different.
>>
>> When you use the Windows 8 Advisor, it should already
>> have matched the download - so a query from a 64 bit
>> machine, should have returned a 64 bit image. If the
>> image has the correct size (measure it and google
>> the size), then you could use that to verify you got
>> the 64 bit version, before wasting any optical media on it.
>>
>> Paul
>
> Ah - on re-reading I see you have partly answered - in your reference
> to the different folder structures for 32 & 64 bit versions. But I will
> be going from 64bit win 7 Pro to win 8 64bit Pro
>

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itproinstall/thread/6b13903c-992b-4eaf-b884-e15495ce8d6c

"you can find available options in
C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther\upgradematrix\Prof essional\UpgradeMatrix.xml
"

That's with respect to running the upgrade, and getting
an answer you don't like, such as "Keep Nothing".

You'll need to do an analysis of your from-to case,
to determine what the nature of the problem is.

The idea is, you should be able to keep your applications,
barring some irregularity in UpgradeMatrix.xml .

Also of interest, would be anything listed as being
incompatible. Would that stop an upgrade ? Not sure.

Paul

[Paul]

...winston wrote:
> The Win8 Upgrade Assistant (not Upgrade Advisor which was a Win7 term)
> should inform you of the software that needs to be removed prior to
> proceeding.
>
> You can download the Win8 Upgrade 'Assistant' and run it in advance help
> determine your best course of action.
> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8
>
> Imo, any AV or AntiMalware software should be completely
> uninstalled/removed prior to upgrading to Windows 8. Additionally you
> should check with those providers to determine which version is
> compatible with Win8 prior to reinstalling any 3rd party AV/AM client.
> (fyi - Windows 8 includes Windows Defender which unlike previous
> versions of Defender is now an AV and AM client).
>
> A Windows 8 64 bit (x64) upgrade can be used to upgrade a Win7 64bit (x64)
>
>

This is the one I was using for a test. Apologies for not
checking the name scrupulously.

http://web.esd.microsoft.com/W8DL/WSEC5B1D8A9DFDFD92DFB736C5B1D8956B5B1D8/Windows8-UpgradeAssistant.exe

Paul

[LocalHero]

...winston wrote:

> The Win8 Upgrade Assistant (not Upgrade Advisor which was a Win7
> term) should inform you of the software that needs to be removed
> prior to proceeding.
>
> You can download the Win8 Upgrade 'Assistant' and run it in advance
> help determine your best course of action.
> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8
>
> Imo, any AV or AntiMalware software should be completely
> uninstalled/removed prior to upgrading to Windows 8. Additionally
> you should check with those providers to determine which version is
> compatible with Win8 prior to reinstalling any 3rd party AV/AM
> client. (fyi - Windows 8 includes Windows Defender which unlike
> previous versions of Defender is now an AV and AM client).
>
> A Windows 8 64 bit (x64) upgrade can be used to upgrade a Win7 64bit
> (x64)

Thankyou Winston - I have used the upgrade assistant.

Maybe I haven't been specific enough. My question isn't about what is
compatible - I want to know, if I do the upgrade, will my compatible
software be there ready to use, or will I have to reinstall it.

--

[SC Tom[_3_]]

"LocalHero" > wrote in message
o.uk...
> ..winston wrote:
>
>> The Win8 Upgrade Assistant (not Upgrade Advisor which was a Win7
>> term) should inform you of the software that needs to be removed
>> prior to proceeding.
>>
>> You can download the Win8 Upgrade 'Assistant' and run it in advance
>> help determine your best course of action.
>> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8
>>
>> Imo, any AV or AntiMalware software should be completely
>> uninstalled/removed prior to upgrading to Windows 8. Additionally
>> you should check with those providers to determine which version is
>> compatible with Win8 prior to reinstalling any 3rd party AV/AM
>> client. (fyi - Windows 8 includes Windows Defender which unlike
>> previous versions of Defender is now an AV and AM client).
>>
>> A Windows 8 64 bit (x64) upgrade can be used to upgrade a Win7 64bit
>> (x64)
>
> Thankyou Winston - I have used the upgrade assistant.
>
> Maybe I haven't been specific enough. My question isn't about what is
> compatible - I want to know, if I do the upgrade, will my compatible
> software be there ready to use, or will I have to reinstall it.
>

I upgraded from Win7 HP 64-bit to Win8 Pro 64-bit, and only had to reinstall
three or four programs. One was my audio driver/sound panel, one was a
really old (barely) 32-bit program, and one or two were older games. Upon
re-installation of the games, I picked up where I left off; the "save games"
were still intact, and required no effort on my part making them work.
The newer audio driver/sound panel program also installed with no problem,
and also had saved my Custom settings. I couldn't have been happier with the
upgrade process (too bad I can't stand the Modern UI (FKA Metro). But I got
around that, too).
--
SC Tom

[..winston]

For the most part if the 3rd party application passes the upgrade assistant and the provider of that software hasn't specifically
ruled the software as incompatible the applications installed on Win7 should continue to function post upgrade to Win8.

Do note with Win8 being new 3rd party providers may not have uncovered every detail that may create a problem....since their first
allegiance is to retain the user's use of the software and later, if necessary, provide updates or sell the next version.


--
....winston
msft mvp


"LocalHero" wrote in message o.uk...

...winston wrote:

> The Win8 Upgrade Assistant (not Upgrade Advisor which was a Win7
> term) should inform you of the software that needs to be removed
> prior to proceeding.
>
> You can download the Win8 Upgrade 'Assistant' and run it in advance
> help determine your best course of action.
> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8
>
> Imo, any AV or AntiMalware software should be completely
> uninstalled/removed prior to upgrading to Windows 8. Additionally
> you should check with those providers to determine which version is
> compatible with Win8 prior to reinstalling any 3rd party AV/AM
> client. (fyi - Windows 8 includes Windows Defender which unlike
> previous versions of Defender is now an AV and AM client).
>
> A Windows 8 64 bit (x64) upgrade can be used to upgrade a Win7 64bit
> (x64)

Thankyou Winston - I have used the upgrade assistant.

Maybe I haven't been specific enough. My question isn't about what is
compatible - I want to know, if I do the upgrade, will my compatible
software be there ready to use, or will I have to reinstall it.

--

[..winston]

"Paul" wrote in message ...

>
This is the one I was using for a test. Apologies for not
checking the name scrupulously.

http://web.esd.microsoft.com/W8DL/WSEC5B1D8A9DFDFD92DFB736C5B1D8956B5B1D8/Windows8-UpgradeAssistant.exe
>

No problem, just wanted to be sure no one searched and downloaded 'Upgrade Advisor' without scrutinizing the name or checking
applicability.

Thanks for the link...archived

These are the two I've been using - all 3 yield the same file

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?linkid=259439

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?linkid=261871