Moving From W8 32bit to 64bit?

as400

New Member
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I downloaded from Microsoft (so no disc) W8 32bit. Didn't realise my 64bit compatible Dell laptop was not using all its 8gb of RAM then found out it couldn't with a 32bit OS.

Its just when I run some tasks like Handbrake conversion or DVD conversion processes it slows my web browsing to a snails pace and someone suggested I needed more RAM!...thus my investigating why only 2.99gb was being used.

Have I got to fork out for a totally new licence?..I can't remember if when I bought this version it asked me if I wanted 32 or 64 version!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 32bit

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
OK thanks, so am I basically reinstalling W8 and somewhere along the line it will ask me if I want the 32 or 64 bit version?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 32bit
OK thanks, so am I basically reinstalling W8 and somewhere along the line it will ask me if I want the 32 or 64 bit version?

No. It won't ask you.

information   Information

If you need to download 32bit Windows 8, download from a 32bit PC.
If you need to download 64bit Windows 8, download from a 64bit PC.


It always downloads the edition with the same number of bits as the PC you download it from. So you need to:

Redownload on a x64 PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Capture.JPG

This is my spec...should be ok?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 32bit
Hello as400,

Your system info you posted says that you have a 32-bit Windows installed.

You will only get a 64-bit Windows 8 ISO if you download it from a 64-bit Windows 8.

information   Information
If you need to download 32-bit Windows 8, download from a 32-bit PC.
If you need to download 64-bit Windows 8, download from a 64-bit PC.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
OK thanks, so am I basically reinstalling W8 and somewhere along the line it will ask me if I want the 32 or 64 bit version?

NO, you need to download the ISO on a x64 installed OS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Ok so I can't do anything and have to buy another W8 64bit version?

NO, you can order Windows 8 back up DVD's, link in your email.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Screenshot from the MS email.

W8 email.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
There is a possible workaround which might work... however I haven't tried it beyond the first couple of steps. It's also a cumbersome way of doing it, with 2 installs and a lot of download bandwidth used.

Firstly, whatever you do, because as theog says:

You will need to wipe the partition first to upgrade from x32 to x64.

so make sure you have a good backup - or perhaps two.

I would take a full image of the drive containing your system, and make sure you have created a Windows 8 recovery drive or repair disc, so you can get back to a working system if this doesn't work! Because I haven't tried the following steps I really recommend having a good backup like this!

Then download the 64 bit ISO version of Windows 8.1 Preview and Clean Install it onto the drive. This is the bit which will wipe out all your system and all data, and it's a 3.5 GB download so you'll need some spare bandwidth.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27188-windows-8-1-preview-download-install.html

Then, from the 64 bit Windows 8.1, download the Windows 8 Upgrade, using your Product Key:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-upgrade-iso-download-create.html
This is the step which may not work; I've not been able to try it, although I did try the first steps and the program which does the downloading does at least run. It's another big download if it works; I think slightly smaller than 8.1 but still big.

If it does work, then you should get an option to Install by Creating media. Select this, and save the ISO somewhere; then use that to do a Clean Install of Windows 8 onto the drive (for a second time).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Thanks guys I have had a search around and suddenly found the disc they sent me when I ordered the download, I had forgotton I had paid the extra £8 and got a disc too!...it actually includes both the 32 and 64bit version of W8!

So I put the 64bit version in but got the following error message:

Capture.JPG

how best to upgrade now I have the necessary disc?

PS: Ah ok played with the BIOS to boot from the 64 disc, this should work now fingers crossed!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 32bit
When downloading the upgrade you need to

information   Information

If you need to download 32bit Windows 8, download from a 32bit PC.
If you need to download 64bit Windows 8, download from a 64bit PC.



http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-upgrade-iso-download-create.html

Redownload on a x64 PC.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13375-clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.html

You will need to wipe the partition first to upgrade from x32 to x64.

You can not upgrade x32 to x64, will need to do a clean install.

Clean the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Help Forums
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
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