How to Reinstall Windows 7 64-bit

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Epislen

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My laptop is 64-bit compatible and I have decided to switch from 32-bit to 64-bit. I know roughly how to do it, but this forum has been helpful in the part so I'd just like to know the best way of going about backing up my HDD and doing a clean install of windows. Here's what I have:

-64-bit Windows 7 professional Operating System DVD
-CD-ROM (built into laptop)
-A 3TB external HDD to store the ~250GB of files I currently have on my laptop
-A list of all the programs I want to install when I get 64-bit which I emailed to myself
-USBs to store drivers for faster reinstallation (does this help?)


I just have a few questions:
-What is the best way to use my external HDD to backup my files and make sure I don't miss/forget anything?
-When inserting the DVD into the laptop to begin reinstallation, should my HDD be clean? Everything deleted? Or can I just pop the DVD in whenever?
-What is the best way to make sure I get every up-to-date driver when I'm on the 64-bit? I remember when I installed 32-bit and Windows Update was a bit wonky for the first hour. Would storing the drivers on USBs beforehand help at all?
-Any other tips/things to keep in mind when performing a reinstall? I'm normally not an idiot when it comes to tech but I don't want anything to go wrong.

Thanks.
 
Solution
SchizTech
1. Attach the external HDD and I'd copy the user folders (documents, downloads, favorites, music, pictures, videos) and any folders you created outside of these built-in libraries wholesale

2. It doesn't matter what's on the HDD when you boot the installer, it will present the option to format the drive itself. You can also install over the current windows without formatting, and your old files will be in "Windows.old\Users\{your username}" If there's a password on your current user it may be easier to remove it now so that those files would be easier to retrieve if you go that way. Programs would still need to be re-installed

3. You can certainly grab them ahead of time from the appropriate manufacturer site on a USB stick

q: do...
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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1. Attach the external HDD and I'd copy the user folders (documents, downloads, favorites, music, pictures, videos) and any folders you created outside of these built-in libraries wholesale

2. It doesn't matter what's on the HDD when you boot the installer, it will present the option to format the drive itself. You can also install over the current windows without formatting, and your old files will be in "Windows.old\Users\{your username}" If there's a password on your current user it may be easier to remove it now so that those files would be easier to retrieve if you go that way. Programs would still need to be re-installed

3. You can certainly grab them ahead of time from the appropriate manufacturer site on a USB stick

q: do you have a license key?
 
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Epislen

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How do I find out if I have a license key? I got 4 CDs which came with the laptop, one of them which is the 64-bit DVD.
 
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Epislen

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I have 4GB of ram, one of the main reasons for wanting to reinstall is because a program I want to use doesn't come in 32-bit.
What are the cons of reinstalling? No one told me this.

 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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You'd have a license key if you bought a copy or if the laptop came with it. If the laptop came with Windows 7, there should be a key on a sticker attached to the underside of the laptop (sometimes placed under the battery to keep it safe). These key stickers are prone to getting smudged to the point of illegibility so make sure it's readable if you try to use it. The sticker would also indicate which version of windows the key is for (probably home premium, but possibly Professional depending on the laptop - 32 vs 64 bit shouldn't matter for the key)
 
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SchizTech

SchizTech

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There are no particular cons to upgrading to 64 bit OS, but main benefit (being able to address more than 4 GB of RAM) is moot if the machine has less ram than that.

What program is this? Let's make sure your laptop meets the full requirements first, since this sounds like a somewhat older machine.
 
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Epislen

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It asks for a minimum of 4GB of ram. Am I wrong if I think that my laptop will run faster with a 64-bit? I've been told it simply better to upgrade and there's no reason to stay in 32-bit.
 
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Epislen

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Mar 28, 2016
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Interesting. I may not switch to 64-bit then to be honest. Thanks for your help.
 
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