How do I switch from a 32bit to 64bit Windows 7 on MacBook Pro

There is no upgrade path, you will have to do a clean install to get 64Bit.

You have to install 64-bit windows from scratch. You can't just upgrade, unless you have the option to get the 64-bit version on a drive and start again.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows- 7

Hi Danielle,

I think you'll find the instructions for installing windows provided are correct. But you need a copy of windows 64-bit to do any of that. You can't use 32-bit windows to install 64-bit Windows.

So you'll need to download 64bit onto a disk that's big enough, then you can either upgrade or do a clean install.

Just to elaborate a little bit, when you buy windows in a retail box, you usually get 2 discs, one for 32-bit and one for 64-bit. So they are different products. Once you install one, eg the 32bit version, you will then need to reinstall the other 2 run that other product, eg 64bit windows.

When you paid for it, you might have been entitled to either or both copies, check that out.

You will need to buy another copy of Windows, buy the 64b or the full retail (which contains both, but costs more)

danielle042 wrote:

Does that mean my only option is to rebuy Windows 7.... there was an option to download the 64bit when i was installing the windows partition but i didn't have a big enough hard drive and the apple associate said it was ok.. but it's not.

danielle042 wrote:

yeah I was entitles to either, but I just downloaded it online so I didn't get any disks. I feel like since I was given the option after purchasing windows I would be able to switch without having to buy windows again but I'm not sure how

You were entited to either, but not both, you have taken delivery of your purchase, now you will need to buy 64bit version or buy the retail version (which contains 32 & 64bit versions)

Discuss your 'feelings' with Microsoft, it is their license.

Office for Mac won't do? if that is all you need. Or run Windows in a VM instead where 32-bit works.

Why now change to 64-bit?

All you needed was the ISO on flash drive and then 'burn' to another disc or flash card (8GB).

Windows 8 Preview: free thru end of year at least - it comes out end of October.

If your a student/teacher you can get it from "itsnotcheating.com.au".

danielle042 wrote:

I need office for windows because i need Access and office for mac doesn't have that.

You don't need 64 bit to run Office, it runs fine on either version.