A bit confused on upgrading to windows 7

[toastbomb]

Hello,

I'm currently running a 32bit version of windows xp and want to upgrade to a 64bit version of windows 7 (yes I'm sure my computer can handle a 64bit os) through the student discount program , but I'm fuzz about a few things. I know that going from a 32bit os to a 64bit os that I will need to do a clean install but I would be buying it through a download so would I be installing windows 7 off a usb drive? Or have to burn it onto a disk? And since it says upgrade would that mean that it can only upgrade with a previous version of windows installed that is compatible with the new one? Also without buying the backup disk would I be able to get this download again if I wanted to do a clean install to speed up my computer?

So would I be able to buy the "Download (64-bit)" and be able to successfully upgrade? (Don't care about losing information, this is a freshly formatted version of xp anyways)

link (Student discount program): http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/productID.216644200?WT.mc_id=EducationSite_academicsavings

 

[DelroyMonjo]

You d/l the Win 7 to your hard drive then install it. Unless you clone the download you really should buy the backup disc. Don't lose the activation key!

 

[k1114]

You can install it from a usb or disc too, although it is an upgrade it is capable of doing a clean install. I got the student discount myself and installed on a new pc through usb. There are extra steps to go through when installing as well as steps into making a bootable flash drive or cd. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html This is the installing methods, you can google on how to make a bootable usb or cd. *Your mobo also needs to be usb bootable capable if you choose the usb route.

 

[toastbomb]

Best answer selected by toastbomb.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr