XP HOME 32 bit to WINDOWS 8?

[dcard1869]

I have xp home 32 bit on my desktop.Can I go from xp 32 bit to windows 7 or 8 64 bit with upgrade or do i need to buy full WINDOWS 7 OS to switch it to 64 bit? I have gaming rig with xp 32bit that only sees 3 gb of ram instead of the full 8gb ram.

 

[rescuetoaster]

No, you can't do the "upgrade" thing. BUT you can do a clean install from an upgrade disc (search google to find out how).

I will also say that if you are a student at a university, you can probably get windows 7 for like 10 bucks. That's how I've managed to stay up with operating systems for the last few years.

 

[Automata]

I think there is some confusion on the question. You won't be able to do an upgrade install with the Windows 8 disk, but you can buy the upgrade version. You will have to do a clean install to switch, but an upgrade license is perfectly fine.

 

[BrotherJohn]

Clean install only.
The W8 upgrade disc supposedly checks the validity of your current OS then allows you to do a full format and install.

Just make sure your hardware can handle it.

 

[dcard1869]

i have a valid xp home install wga and all....relatively new hardware...

 

[BrotherJohn]

I have read that once you upgrade your XP key will no longer be valid in case you decide to go back.

 

[dcard1869]

so what about my old xp hp pavilion?...it wont be any good for that?...what about linux or ubuntu?

 

[c627627]

Also consider keeping your existing installation of Windows XP and installing Windows 8 on another partition or hard drive.

That way you have a dual boot which can come in handy when things are not working in one OS, maybe they will in another.


You will have to reinstall everything on a Win Vista/7/8 upgrade disc, there is no switching to them "over Windows XP", it's a completely separate installation.

 

[voodoo do'er]

clean install only
it would be best to wipe everything tho
I did a hard upgrade from xp64 to 7, but I had to do alot of work.