Question: Upgrading Windows from 32bit to 64...

Netzoko

I'm currently running Vista32, but want to upgrade to Win7 64bit.

Is there any way to transfer my installed games/programs to an external drive, then wipe my HD, install Windows 7, then somehow restore my applications?

I ask mostly because I have all the settings and whatnot totally configured in all my games, and I don't want to lose that by having to reinstall them.

Cleffy

Yes its possible.  You will still need to reinstall your games since they need some registry keys and what not that will be difficult to backup.  Once your games are reinsalled, replace the files associated with the game in Program Files(x86) with the ones you backed up on your hard drive.  The settings should transfer unless they are stored in My Documents.  If they are in My Documents, then transfer those files into the C:/Users/[username]/Documents folder.

Rayx0r

youd be surprised how many games dont need to be re-installed.  Last time I rebuilt, I move all of my MMO's to an external and moved them back and every single one of them worked without needing to be repatched or reinstalled. 

 

Just make sure you copy the programs shortcut from the desktop and that when you copy them back to your new build the paths match.  I think I had a couple issues with program targets, but the autopatchers usually corrects these minor errors.

sepher

Depends on the program. Dual boot, test and see. A lot of games won't give you issues; my install of Champions Online works for both Vista and Windows 7 RC. Granted I don't have a 32-bit/64-bit discrepancy.

Another reason to go the dual-boot route is the fact that the RC won't upgrade to the RTM without file loss; so you're facing reinstallation again anyway. You'd probably then be better off upgrading from Vista to the RTM of Windows 7, so I'd keep that installation.

Netzoko

Originally posted by Rayx0r


youd be surprised how many games dont need to be re-installed.  Last time I rebuilt, I move all of my MMO's to an external and moved them back and every single one of them worked without needing to be repatched or reinstalled. 

 
Just make sure you copy the programs shortcut from the desktop and that when you copy them back to your new build the paths match.  I think I had a couple issues with program targets, but the autopatchers usually corrects these minor errors.

 

By "moving mmos" do you mean copying its folder in program files?

I'm surprised they still run without the registry entries from installation.

Rayx0r

Originally posted by Netzoko

Originally posted by Rayx0r


youd be surprised how many games dont need to be re-installed.  Last time I rebuilt, I move all of my MMO's to an external and moved them back and every single one of them worked without needing to be repatched or reinstalled. 

 
Just make sure you copy the programs shortcut from the desktop and that when you copy them back to your new build the paths match.  I think I had a couple issues with program targets, but the autopatchers usually corrects these minor errors.

 

By "moving mmos" do you mean copying its folder in program files?

I'm surprised they still run without the registry entries from installation.

 

yep.  just move the install folder to the external drive.  Honestly ya I was surprised that they all worked, the only games I had issues with were games that ran from launchers like Everquest 2 and lineage 2.  They both use a launcher that manages multiple games. The launcher had problems locating the games but after doing a full scan the launchers worked like they were suppose to.