Install Windows 8 64bit on Windows 7 32bit – without CD

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G-Z

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Hi,

I'd like to clean install a 64bit version of Windows 8 from an ISO file on a HP Pavilion dm1 notebook without disc-drive running Windows 7 32bit.

The setup.exe from the ISO file cannot be run on the 32bit OS. For the same reason it doesn't seem to be possible to create a bootable SD-card with the Windows 8 installation files using, for instance, Microsoft's 'Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool' or the BOOTSECT.EXE command on the 32bit machine.

I managed to create a bootable SD-card from the ISO file on a 64bit computer. However, I couldn't bring the 32bit Pavilion to boot from it.

I tried creating a VHD on an external hard drive following this guide but ended up having Windows 8 installed on the external drive itself instead of being able to run the installation process from the drive at boot.

How can I clean install Windows 8 64bit from the SD-card or the external drive on a 32bit notebook computer?

Please let me know if you need any more information.

best, Ian

 
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K
You cannot upgrade from 32bit to 64bit. The only solution is a clean install. You will need to burn the ISO to a DVD or make a bootable USB install drive. You may not be able to boot from and SD card but will have better luck with a USB thumb drive.

Then boot the computer with the USB drive. If using the Windows 8 upgrade it will scan your drive looking for a previous version of windows. Then just follow the steps. You may need to remove the thumb drive at the first reboot if your system is set to always boot from the thumb drive first.
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kyllien

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You cannot upgrade from 32bit to 64bit. The only solution is a clean install. You will need to burn the ISO to a DVD or make a bootable USB install drive. You may not be able to boot from and SD card but will have better luck with a USB thumb drive.

Then boot the computer with the USB drive. If using the Windows 8 upgrade it will scan your drive looking for a previous version of windows. Then just follow the steps. You may need to remove the thumb drive at the first reboot if your system is set to always boot from the thumb drive first.
 
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k1114

k1114

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You can use a external hdd too, it doesn't make a difference. As long as it is usb. The issue with sd cards, is the readers will need drivers to work. And you can't have drivers without an os so it doesn't support booting from.

I still don't understand why people prefer the cmd prompt method. It is so much easier to use the ui that has been around since xp, maybe before, I can't remember. Go to computer, right click the drive and click format. Change the option to ntfs and format. Then you can just unpack the iso to it.
 
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johnbl

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What CPU is in the computer? you will not be able to install a 64 bit OS if your machine is like a netbook with at 32 bit CPU. otherwise, a bootable thumb drive with the 64 install image should work fine. ( and we are not just talking about a thumb drive with a 64 windows 8 ISO file on it but a proper installer to thumbdrive setup)
 
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k1114

k1114

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Putting the iso on a cd/usb is much simpler than setting up a network install. If you've got multiple pcs or virtual machines then that is what network installing was made for.

For a usb, you just format and unpack the iso. When setting up a network install, you need to configure the software, populate directories, setup ms network share and enable boot from network. A lot more work for a single install; taking a 2 min usb setup to a 15 min network install setup.
 
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patpat

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your concepts are biased...
i.e.
1) copying the files to your USB takes longer than copying your files to your Net server...
2) Setting a net server with proxyDHCP is way faster than producing your USB stick
3) with net install you do not need Pen drives nor CD/DVDs either...
4) Forcing a Net boot from Bios takes exactly the same time than forcing a boot from USB...

Now the good stuff,
1) Net boot with GB NICs is way faster than booting DVD/Pen drives
2) You can boot not just one but many OSs selecting the one you want from an automatically created menu.


Bottom line: if you have time to waste stick to your pen drives and DVD, if not get yourself an easy Net boot server.




 
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Glen432

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Nov 13, 2013
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Hi...my hp dv7 pavilion notebook has windows 7 32bit SP1 on it, i'm trying to install windows 7 64bit, my notebook says that it is 64bit compatible but am unable to do this...please help, i must've downloaded to disc about 10gigs trying this update...
 
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steven241

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If you managed to do it let me know. It might help me to do something about my computer

With my HP mini 210-4000CTO I can do Win7 32bit, yet Intel did not do the 64bit version, I was able to do everything except boot to Window Login without assist and GMA 64bit driver. Intel download center might have what you need. Use the search term Windows 7 64bit and choose the software you need - graphics, network, and etc.


 
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zahidiqbal

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Jan 9, 2014
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10,510


 
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Naomibear

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Jan 31, 2014
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You can upgrade to 64 bit windows 7 first

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/installing-reinstalling-windows#1TC=windows-7
 
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kyllien

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Jan 22, 2013
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It is highly recommended to use 64 bit windows now. That is unless you are running legacy software that will not run on a 64bit OS.

There are caveats to "upgrading" from 32bit windows to 64bit windows. First there is no technical upgrade path, you can only perform a clean install. License wise though you can buy the upgrade and use it to perform the clean install.

If you use the free Windows 10 upgrade offer it will base the version of Windows 10 on what version of Windows 7 or 8.1 you have installed, to include 32bit or 64bit.
 
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abcha

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Sir i have already installed window 7 64 bit on my laptop now i want to install window 8 so plz guide me if i install win 8 then the files or data i have saved is deleted or it remain on disk.
 
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