Can I do a clean install of windows 8 64-bit on a ssd (840 Pro) with OS (win 8 32-bit) already installed?

keyless21

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Nov 4, 2013
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I want start fresh since my friend gave me a 32bit win8. I installed windows 8 not knowing it would be 32bit (from a friend). It only uses 3gb of RAM but I have 16gb of RAM installed which is 13bg RAM reserved (not using). I want to do a clean install of windows 8 64-bit will buy a retail version on store. I have read some stuff that you cannot do an upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit only clean install. My situation here is that I have win 8 32-bit installed already but I just want to do everything fresh to win 8 64-bit. but how? please help.

I just want to know any method of doing this kind of stuff or please provide me some alternative/ easier way of doing it. Just tell me if you guys need more info of my computer.
 

keyless21

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Nov 4, 2013
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Will it erase everything what it had on the SSD? I mean the SSD was used has files in it but I'm ok if its going to delete everything in it since I just started 2 days ago.

ok, since I have never bought an Operating System (retail version) on store what should I be looking for? just make sure it is not for the upgradeable version ones?


 

keyless21

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Nov 4, 2013
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This is what I have planned so far from reading other threads and your's.

- transfer the files I want to my HDD from SSD.
- then unplug HDD sata wires while SSD sata wire is plug in.
-boot from cd/dvd disk?
-At the 'Where do you want to install Windows' Screen, choose 'Drive options (Advanced). Delete all partitions on your SSD till you have nothing left but Unallocated Space, and install Windows there without creating partitions or formatting.
-Once the installation is complete, leave the Install disk in place and go to your Start Screen (Winkey). Type 'Refresh' and from Settings choose 'Refresh your PC'. Follow instructions, and once complete you will have clean installed and activated Windows 8.

just want your confirmation... if its good then DONE! :D
 

keyless21

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Nov 4, 2013
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another question/situation... well I did a clean install when I got my SSD. I installed win8 32-bit OS, x64 based processor. Background story, I think I may have installed a 32-bit win7 a year ago on my mobo so the win8 my friend said to be (32-bit/64-bit) then only installed 32-bit because my mobo was using 32-bit or Mobo has nothing do to with it? Sry about asking too much lol just a noob here soaking in all of this new stuff.
 

Blaise170

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Usually the OS is predicated on your processor. The motherboard doesn't really matter. The biggest advantage of using an x64 OS is to allow the usage of more than 3.5GB of RAM and it allows the processor to use all of it's resources more efficiently.
 

knw

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Dec 16, 2014
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If you have 16gb ram then I'm pretty sure your mobo supports 64bit architecture. Your mobo doesn't get locked to 32bit because you had a 32bit OS installed.

If you have a valid version of windows 8 32-bit, all you need to do is download a windows 8 64-bit iso (you can get it from Microsoft) then you can burn the image on a cd or make a bootable usb. Then you can install windows 8 the way you would normally.

If you own a valid cd-key for Windows 8, it will work for both versions 32bit and 64bit.

Only time you need to buy another key is if you want to go from Win8 to Win8 pro etc.

Once you have Win8 64bit installed you can also upgrade to Win8.1 64bit for free.

 

Blaise170

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If you have 32bit installed, you are locked at 32bit unless you reinstall 64bit as you said.