Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows
Home > Windows > Windows 8 > Windows 8 Upgrade: 32-bit to 64-bit

Windows 8 Upgrade: 32-bit to 64-bit

Oct. 27, 2012 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Not surprisingly, the release of Windows 8 has been accompanied by an avalanche of questions related to upgrading. And here’s a classic question: You’re running a 32-bit version of Windows XP, Vista, or 7, but you want to upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows 8. How does that work?

If you’re familiar with the Windows 8 Upgrade Advisor, Microsoft’s web-based installer for Windows 8, you know that you can trigger this new, electronic install type by visiting the windows.com web site with a web browser from a previous Windows version. And from there, you can upgrade your existing Windows version to Windows 8 Pro. Or you can perform a clean install: Please refer to Clean Install Windows 8 with Upgrade Media for details.

Here are the big questions around this type of upgrade.

Use Upgrade Advisor to Upgrade from Windows 32-bit to Windows 8 64-bit

If you’re running a 32-bit version of Windows XP, Vista, or 7, and you wish to upgrade to the 64-bit version of Windows 8, can you do this via Upgrade Advisor? Will that work? (Or vice versa, though I can’t imagine anyone wanting to go from 64-bit to 32-bit.)

No.

Upgrade Advisor only provides you with the same platform type (32-bit/x86 or 64-bit/x64) as the system you’re currently using. So if you have a 32-bit version of Windows, and you use Upgrade Advisor to perform an upgrade or clean install, the resulting Windows 8 Pro OS you get will be 32-bit. (Ditto for those who start with a 64-bit version of Windows: You will get Windows 8 Pro 64-bit.)

Use Upgrade Advisor to make a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 8 Setup disc or disk

What about those using Upgrade Advisor to make a bootable USB-based device or save an ISO? Can you then choose between 32-bit and 64-bit versions and download/create the version you want?

No.

Here again, Upgrade Advisor will only provide you with the same platform type (32-bit/x86 or 64-bit/x64) as the system you’re currently using. If you start with 32-bit, you get 32-bit.

Upgrade from Windows XP/Vista/7 32-bit to Windows 8 64-bit

So wait a second. Is there a way to actually upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows 8?

Yes.

Yes, there is. But you can’t do it electronically. Instead, you will need to purchase the retail Windows 8 Pro Upgrade media, which is currently $30 more expensive (or $69.99) than the electronic upgrade. This package provides both 32-bit and 64-bit media, so you can choose which to use. (In case this isn’t obvious, you can’t actually do an in-place upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version fo Windows 8. Only clean installs (“Custom” install type) are supported.

Upgrade or install Windows 8 Core

All this upgrade talk is about Windows 8 Pro only. What about the base version of Windows 8, which is really called Windows 8 Core? Can you upgrade or otherwise install that version?

Yes.

But you need to use the System Builder disc, which is more expensive ($99.99) than the retail Upgrade or electronic (Upgrade Assistant) version of Windows 8 Pro. Windows 8 Core is only aimed at new, low-end PCs. And in case it’s not obvious, Microsoft really wants everyone to be on Windows 8 Pro, not Windows 8 Core. This version only exists because PC makers demanded it.

You can purchase Windows 8 Core from NewEgg.com and other retailers in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Unlike the retail packaging, you only get the one disc, and much choose between these two platform versions.

I do not recommend purchasing this version. There’s no good reason to spend more to get less.

Discuss this Article 14

tag (not verified)
on Nov 9, 2012

There is a workaround to jump from a 32bit to 64bit install. As someone else posted here:

Yes, but you can't do this using Upgrade Assistant. If your PC has a 64-bit capable processor (CPU) but is currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can install a 64-bit version of Windows 8, but you'll need to buy Windows 8 as a DVD.
You also won't be able to keep any files, settings, or apps when you upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit version.

Workaround:
You could go to a computer running a 64 bit version of Windows.
Download the Upgrade assistant and create a bootable copy of Windows 8 64 bit.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-XM/windows/buy
Clicking "Download Pro" installs and runs the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, which lets you know if your PC can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, provides you with a compatibility report, and then walks you through the steps to purchase, download, and install. Run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant to make sure your PC can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro before purchase—you can run it without purchasing. Upgrade Assistant will collect certain information about your potential upgrade experience. Learn more about privacy and the Upgrade Assistant.

　

Step 1: Use the Upgrade Assistant to qualify the PC and pay the $40 (US)
Step 2: When the "Install Windows 8" message appears, select "Install by creating media" to create a bootable USB flash drive or an .iso (a disk image) file.
Step 3: Wait for the Assistant to download the Windows 8 Pro installation package and create the bootable media or .iso file. The flash drive must be have 3GB or more of free space available.
Step 4: Burn the .iso file, if that's the path you chose, to a blank DVD.
Step 5: Use that USB drive or DVD to boot the PC.

Click Install Now
Accept License Agreement
When the option is displayed to select an installation type, click (Custom Advanced)
select the disk partition where you would like to install Windows 8 Click Next.
You will receive the following warning:
The partition you selected might contain files from a previous Windows Installation. If it does, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You will be able to access the information in Windows.old, but you will be able to use your previous version of Windows.
(At all cost, do NOT click anything named Format or Delete or Partition. So even doing a custom install, your personal files are still preserved. Click OK
Setup will now start the installation. During the installation, your machine will be restarted several times.
When the installation is complete, you can complete the Out of Box experience such as selecting your laptop, create a username, password, your time zone. You can then proceed to download the latest updates for Windows and reinstall your applications and drivers.
You can then recover your personal files from the Windows.old folder and reinstall all your applications and drivers.
http://notebooks.com/2010/11/09/how-to-recover-documents-music-and-email...

jgomez65
on Nov 12, 2012

I was able to go from Windows 7 32bit to Windows 8 64bit, but I had to sent an email to Microsoft. They put me in contact with a Level 3 Tech support guy who in turn called a MS Department and they sent me a replacement disc with both versions. It took for ever to get the right department. The store refused to sent me a new disc or allow me to download a different version unless I paid full price. If you call MS and ask for a replacement disk (just tell them your disk got damaged) they might be able to do it for free

mrpinhole
on Nov 16, 2012

After a bit of playing around here's what I found.
A) You can make the purchase from a 32 bit machine-no problem. You get a link emailed to you for doing the download. The upgrade assistant doesn't make the 32/64 bit decision.
B) Downloading and creating an ISO DVD while on a 64 bit OS is how you get 64 bits which I did by installing Windows 8 Pre Release(you can find it for free on the web). I did this on a second hard drive.
C) The ISO installs the 64 bit version ok on a 64 bit OS such as pre-release
D) The ISO fails installing it on a system running a 32 bit OS
E) Not tried yet-ISO install on a clean drive

kwarner
on Nov 16, 2012

To get a 64 bit system, another trick is to get an ISO image of 64 bit Windows 8 Release Preview. There are still copies floating around the internet that you can find with a search. Install that and then run Upgrade Advisor from your 64 bit version of Release Preview. Of course, you will have to blow away any old Windows installation to install the Release Preview. But it is a way to get a base 64 bit system to upgrade from.

kloewen
on Nov 20, 2012

What are the reasons to consider 32-bit vs 64-bit? Is this a case of "if you need to ask, go with 32-bit"?

Dragorth
on Nov 24, 2012

Not anymore. The 32bit OS has some very small benifits for emterprise, such as being slightly more compatable with much older software, and taking half the space in memory, but the 64bit OS is the one that consumers should use, if only to use the 4+ GB of memroy commonly included in newer computers.

The 64bit version is also the only version that supports the new UEFI bios, which is the only supported method of booting from disk/partitions that are larger than 3TB.

Add to this, all traditional pcs being sold come with 64bit processors, and all 32bit programs run on 64bit through Microsofts' WOW tech, and there isn't a reason for consumers not to choose 64bit, unless they are upgrading and don't wish to reinstall all their software, or their current processor is 32bit only.

Johnmbostock
on Nov 28, 2012

This workaround does not work. I am running a 64 bit machine on Windows 7, from which I downloaded the ISO file, and have just upgraded from XP to Windows 8 on another machine, I followed the directions as given in both methods DVD and USB but neither would load on the Windows 8 machine.

pm1
on Dec 5, 2012

to johnmbostock 11/28/2012:
pardon me. your comment on "the workaround" not working is appreciated; but, what/which workaround are you referring to?

the remainder of your post is difficult to understand and difficult to reply to or benefit from... which i was hoping to do. thank you

TheHuckleberryWill
on Dec 9, 2012

I got half way through the download when I realized that it would be 32 bit, I wanted 64 bit.

On a 64 bit machine, go to

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

An use the installer downloaded from here. Select install from media, burn it to a DVD or USB, then install on you 32 bit PC.

Make sure that in the BIOS either CD or USB is at the top of the boot sequence.

pthurrott
on Dec 9, 2012

Be careful as that URL is for the Great Britain version. The US version is http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

But I wrote about this here:

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-tip-create-setup-media-after...

ouser32
on Dec 20, 2012

There is another way, without requiring to buy any thing additional other that original Windows 8 license as somebody has explained here:
https://sites.google.com/site/simpledoubts/home/technology/computers/win...

madwyer
on Jan 3, 2013

I was running Windows 7 32bit, and wanted to "upgrade" to Windows 8 64 bit. Given that it's going to be a fresh install anyway, this very simple process worked for y like a charm:

1. Install Windows 7 64bit (by downloading ISO from http://www.mydigitallife.info/download-windows-7-iso-official-32-bit-and...)
2. Upgrade to Windows 8 by usual process

KevinTwelve
on Jan 12, 2013

Howdy, Paul and Co.--I'm upgrading from XP x32 to 8 x64. I've got the physical media. But how do I proceed? Only the 32-bit disc runs in my current installation, so I'm worried that entering my CD key there will lock me into a 32-bit installation forever. Can I enter my key there, then boot from the 64-bit disc to actually install 8?

vineel0710
on Feb 7, 2013

I was running Windows 8 32bit, and wanted to "upgrade" to Windows 8 64 bit.
my system type is x64-based procssor

Please or Register to post comments.

Related Articles

IT/Dev Connections

Las Vegas
September 30th - October 4th

Paul ThurottYou'll have the opportunity to experience:
• 120 Technical
Sessions
• Networking with Peers
• Expert Speakers


Come See Paul Thurrott & Mary Jo Foley in Person!

Register Now

Office 365 InfoCenter

Get the latest insight and info from Paul

Read Now!

What I Use
Apr. 18, 2013
Article

What I Use: On the Road 21

Every so often, I publish an updated version of my “What I Use” document, which details the technology products and services I actually use day-to-day. Since I’m currently on my third business trip in five weeks, this is perhaps an ideal time to discuss the technology products I rely on when I travel and a few related points....More
Mar. 6, 2013
Article

What I Use: March 2013 33

Lots of changes since November, including a new PC-based home server running Windows 8, several new smart phones, new PCs and tablets, new cloud backup, Office 365 Home Premium and a nice doubling of my Internet speeds courtesy of Verizon FIOS....More
WinSuperSite.com
Related Penton Sites
Copyright © 2013 Penton Media, Inc